Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1898-08-25
CHAPTER VII-(ContinuedD

"Am I Mrs. James Moray, or am L
not?" says Della as she confronts her
brother-in-aw boldly.
Really! this is an excessively awkward
predicament," he stammers in reply.
Il will not leave the house." she says,
deiantly, until you answer my ques-
ton, and give me back my boy. Am l
your brothers wife, or am 1 not?
"Well-of course-at least James as
sures me-" he commences, still utterly at
a loss to know how to get out of the di
lemma.
why, Mr.. Morayv' exclaims his better
half, do you mean to tell me there's hany
doubt upon the matter, when you've has
sured me, times hout of number, that
your brother his widower and the boy
a horphan?'
Then he lied to you," says Della. lie
knew his brother had a wife. lie has
spent evening after evening 1T our rooms,
going out with my unfortunate husband,
and encouraging him in drinking and 9TH
err vices"
'Well, if you must have it," says Mo-
ray, this woman is my brothers wife;
but knowing the objection you would nat
urally feel toward her profession, L
thought it best not to let yon hear the
truth, especially as I have decided to
adopt the little boy"
'Hadopt the little boy!'' exclaims Mrs.
Moray. "rll allow you to do no such
thing. What! you expect me to hact the
part of mother to hactress' himp? Never!
The very hidea makes my blood curdle."
Re- "A mother to my boy!' cries Della, in
her turn. Il would like to see you or any
other woman dare to try it. | am his
mother! Where is my child?' she con-
tinues fiercely, as she turns upon William
Moray; where is my Willy? Give him
back to me or I'll go straight to the next
magistrate and tell him the whole story
from beginning to end"
But at the sound of his mothers voice
uttering his name, and raised as though
to summon him, little Willy has got down
from his chair at the luncheon table, and
now, appearing at the drawing room door,
flies, with q cry of pleasure, into Delia's
arms.
my child" she exclaims, my own,
oWA child! Let those take heed who would
try tear you from me again"
But, under the circumstances, l shall
not be justified in permitting you to re-
move my nephew from my care" inter-
poses William Moray neryously. His
father placed him with me, and unless the
law interferes, you have no right to take
him away. In fact, I will not let him
gov'
IF you don't, I'll turn him hout hon
the doorstep" says his wife.
IF you don't, | claim my right to re-
main by his side till the affair is settled"
says his sister-in-law.
William Moray is like a man between
two fires. He really is to be pitied the
most of the three. He does not know
which of these women to concilate first,
nor on what tack to steer so as to make
his peace with either.
Il took the child from your lodgings
with the best intentions" he says to De-
liza. You cannot bear the whole burden
of his support in case OF anything happen
ing to my brother, and it was my inten-
ton to help you by adopting Willy as my
SON."
You shall never have him." she cries,
Indignantly.
Mr.. James Moray his coming hup the
havenue," just here announces Jeames
Plush, hastily.
1t is, evident that Mr.. James Moray is
no welcome visitor at the FRS, since the
servants have been ordered to give warn
ing of his approach. But his presence at
this particular moment is a real relief
to his brother, who gives ready order
for his admittance. At the intelligence
of her husbands presence, Della turns
very pale, and clasps the boy tighter to
her bosom. But she does not quail, new
ertheless.
That low creature here hagain?' eiac-
ulates Mrs. Moray, with his drunken
habits and his unpleasant cunning coun-
tenance. Well there's nice pair of you.
and that's my hopinion, and hif I'd known
hit would come to this, l never would
have demeaned myself by hentering such
famiy-no, neverr'
Whatever YOU may think, be good
enough to keep 1t to yourself for the pres
ent," replies her husband. MY brothers
coming is most opportune. 1t relieves my
mind of a great responsibility. He can
now do what he thinks best with his own
child"
He shall never take him from me
again." says Della, as she holds the boy
cloSe-close against her throbbing heart,
and nerves herself for the coming inter-
view.
CHAPTER VIII.
james Moray enters the drawing room
Mt the FRS with Anything but an assured