The Opelousas courier., 1898-01-22

"There is no mistake" answered
James. II have come across the WORLD
for that purpose. They tell me you
are still Miss Edgar"
"That is perfectly correct, but [ fai
to see what concern it is Of yours
now," she cried with emphasis.
'Ihave come across the world, as
said, to seek you out, and ask if yor
have forgiven me for what happened
ten years ago, Anna? This is my only
child" he said, pointing to a little gir'
in a mourning frock, who hung shylJ
behind him.
Anna looked curiously at the child
Of the woman who had supplanted her
| She bore a softened resemblance tc
her mother, but in her face was q
strange expression indicative of Anna
knew not what.
~"Indeed," said Anna, and paused
inquiringly.
Il have brought Ter with me- re-
sumed James; "she is all [ have. II
is almost two year1 since she lost hel
<"And you proAbly wish her to he
edN>ets~ England. 1 am sorry to
hear of your loss;9t is a great charge
to be left with so young a child to
train"
Anna was aware that she spoke stifily
and indifferently, but she was still in
the dark as to the meaning of the pres.
ent interview, and she resented what
she looked upon as au unwarrantable
intrusion.
81 brought her with me because I
could not do without the only creature
[ have belonging to me, and, BESIDES I
want to show her to an English doctor.
Anna, you do know what my loneliness
is, and how ill [ can bear to be alone.
I never could bear to be by myself. It
was that that brought about what you
must look on as my treachery toward
you. You know how I urged you to
come out to me, and how you would
still wait till [ could come to fetch
you. It was too lonely, and then 1
met with Jessie. She told you all
about it; she was good to me and I
married her. Then you came out, two
months too late, and it broke my
heart, Anna, for it was you always that
I loved"
"Hush!" exclaimed Anna, aghast,
as he ended with an appeal in his
voice. "This is scarcely fit talk be-
fore your wife's daughter"
"Do you not know" he said bitter
ly, "the child is stone deaf? The
same calamity that deprived me of her
mother took away her hearing. We
may say what we choose before her;
she only knows what we say on our
fingers"
"Poor little soul!!' said Anna, sud
denly relenting toward the mute little
figure, and taking her into her friend
ly arms. She understood now the
strange expression that she had
noticed on the child's face.
cit is a heavy trial to her and to
me, and she has no mother. Anna, [
have come to see if you can be won to
forgive me the past and take the place
now that you have always had in my
heart. [ am a rich man now in every
thing but happiness; I can give you
all the luxuries you were born to, and
if you do not choose to 60 to Australia
[ will sell my property there and pur-
chase an estate where you please in
England"
Anna had released the child, and
now stood proudly confronting it's
father.
81 am exceedingly glad to hear of
your prosperity; it must surpass ever
your expectations, and I trust that
you may long enjoy it. But, as I said
at the beginning, you have made a
mistake; your presence here is un-
called for"
81 know" said James earnestly,
that you must even yet feel sore and
angry when you think of my treat
ment Of you; but you do not realize
how much I too have undergone.
Jessie was a good woman, a good wife,
but she was not the woman that I
"More shame for you," interrupted
Anna.
James put up his hand imploringly.
"You speak truly; but it was you
you always that I carried in my heart,
and it is you that I have come back to
seek. Anna, if you are still angry
with me, will you not have compassion
on the child? Think of her helpless
ness, for what am [ as O guardian to
little thing? Women are always
tender-hearted, and the child has
never offended you. Think of her
love and my need, and of how I have
loved you always"
"And betrayed me-" said Anna; but
he went on ~unheeding her.
"And how I love you still. Will
you not yield? You are still Anna
Edgar"
81 am" said she, blushing in spite
# herself; "but here is DR.. Wilber-
I had better refer you to him,
or this day month I shall be Mrs.
Nilberforce."
Gamma, Anna! am too late? Have
come across the world in search of
'ou in vain?"
"You forget, perhaps" she an
wered coldly, "that there was a time
When you led me across the world in
earch Of you in vain. I loved you
nee, but I am only a woman, and if I
we're weak enough to love you still I
hould scarcely have courage to risk a
econd betrayal"
She stood before him, proud and
and happy, and if she had
.esired revenge for her past wrongs
he had it in that hour.-New York