The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-18
DELAWARE SATURDAY, 1898

and Joy, Is the Cause Of my inoss bitter
miseryi Ny child, I have excused you.
even to myself, and have moreover,
blamed myself In q great measure that
my love should not satisfy You. Perhaps
I did wrong 10 marry you, . mere child
In comparison with myself, but I loved
You, Beauty, and I cannot see you rush.
ing on headlong TO your ruin without
putting every obstacle in your way.
Your name, the name Of Beauty Dali
maine, my peerless wife, is on every
tongue in London. Am to stand that?
Am to let the name of the woman
whom chose from among all others to
make my wife-am to let that name
be dragged in the dust2 Is the mother Of
my son to be the plaything Of these
empty headed society men? What am I
better than brute If / stand by with
out interfering? You shall not drag my
name and honor in the dust. Your in
sane vanity, which is leading you into
all sorts of difficulties, must be curbed.
Today I have bill for $500 from your
dressmaker. There was time, child,
when to please me seemed your great
est pleasure. That time has passed. But
what have done to forfeit your love? I
have done my utmost to make you hap
by, and yet how I've failedp' And
Travers Dalmaine drew his coat sleeve
across his eyes, and there was silence
for the space Of minute.
During this speech his wife had stood
motionless, her eyes downcast. She was
very pale, but otherwise showed no
emotion. Presently he spoke again, but
his voice sounded husky and far away.
Beauty" he cried, "for my sake
pause in your mad career, or if not for
mine for Chappie's."
Surely that appeal would have touch
ed any mothers heart, but Beauty Dali
maine heard it unmoved. She slowly
crossed to the door, and turning she
looked defantly at her husband, and
her voice rang out with metallic clear
ness as she said:
II have listened to you patiently.
Now I am going to the play with Sir
Arthur Maynard" And then she van.
ished, and like one stunned her husband
remained vacantly gazing at the door
through which she had disappeared.
But Beauty Dalmaine did not go to
the play that night When she left the
library, she slowly assembled the stairs
with the intention of fetching fan
from her room. The servants were all
at supper, and the house was very still,
when suddenly small voice broke the
stiffness, "Chappie wants movah |" fol-
lowed by sound Of sobbing.
Beauty paused. The sobs continued,
and again the little voice called: "Chap-
pie wants movah! God send Chappie's
movahp'
Swiftly she flew down the passage
and entered the nursery. The little lads
prayer had not been in vain. God had
heard it and used it as an instrument to
unlock the mothers heart. In a few
short seconds Chappie was in his moth
er's arms. The costly satin dress was
forgotten, and freely her tears were
mingling with his own. For the first
time in his baby life he tasted the joys
OF mothers love. Hitherto she had
only been a beautiful, unapproachable
dream. Now she was living, loving
reality.
An hour later, with weary footsteps
and an aching heart, Travers Dalmaine
climbed the nursery stairs, and on the
threshold beautiful picture gladdened
his sorrow laden eyes. By the cot of
their sleeping child knelt Beauty Dali
maine her lovely face illumined with
the light Of the newborn mother love
and her hands clasped in prayer. Softly
her husband crossed the room and laid
his hand tenderly upon her head, while
she raised her dark eyes to his and
still kneeling said:
drawers, my husband, forgive me. I
meant to go, but Chappie wanted me,
and when l heard him say SO there sud
denly flashed on me the dark, loveless
future I was making for my little SON
our little son.. She corrected herself |
softly, and then she was raised to her
feet, and pair of strong arms embodied |
her and her husbands deep tones assur-
ed her she was forgiven.
"For his sake we'll start again, my
darling" he added.
"And for Chappie's fathers sake"
she whispered, as her white arms stole
round his neck. And the little sleeper
and they looked down to see
radiant smile dawn On his face and both
stopped and kissed him Then hand in
hand they stole from the room.-Lady.