The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-05-21
CHAPTER XVI.
Reunited.

the lace VI tuc WoudH AZ MS ltel. her
features were pallid, pinched, and wan;
a wealth Of golden hair was drawn
away from the small, childish face, and
fastened in careless knot at the back
of her head, from which the faded hood
had fallen. Her dreus was thin, old
and patched; and the little foot peep
ing forth was poorly shod.
For moment he paused there, as
tonished, bewildered, strange fancies
surging through his brain and taking
possession of his hear, then he stopped
and lifted the woman head, and laid
his hand upon her pul'e.
Suddenly her eyes flashed open-deep
blue, innocent eyes. watch met his gaze
with long, steady glance; then she
tottered to her feet
Morris Dudley" she said in low,
scornful tone, stand out of my way!
Where is my bundlU? Thank you.
Good night"
And she turned with feeble steps to
pass on. With bound, he was at her
side and caught her hand.
"Viva!" he painted, there is son,e-
thing to be explained"
She turned and f.ced him calm
ly.
"Ay, there is something to be ex-
planned" she repeated, quietly. wait!
my home is near If yod choose to come.
The street is scarcely the place for
you and me to come TO an understand
ing"
She turned with swift, flying steps,
excitement lending wings to her tired
feet, and led bin into gloomy look
ing building. not far distant. up fight
of crazy stairs, into shabby. half.fur-
nished apartment.
Viva laid her bundle upon the pine
table, and proceeded to light a candle
which stood in a brass candlestick
apon shelf; then she faced her hus-
band, her eyes flashing, her superb
form drawn up to Its full height.
"You come to arraign me, Morris
Dudley" she said, in low, fierce tone,
and l demand hearing; 1t is time"
"Viva," he said, bewildered beyond
expression, for the case was reversed
she was the accuser, he the defend
ant, "sit down here" and he drew
chair forward. Now go on and tell
me ALL for l begin to see that have
been a miserable dupe, or frightfully
mistaken"
She tossed her faded hood aside, and
faced him, with deep gcorn in her beau
tiful eyes.
"You believed an appearance of
wrong" she said; now listen to the
truth-the whole truth-so help me,
Heaven left your home, it is true.
but not for life of dishonor-oh! how
could you live and believe that?-but
because she, Lurline St. Cyr, made me
believe-for I was q giddy, foolish
child-that I would be great actress,
and coin money for--you! l had re-
Elected a great deal upon our poverty,
and felt certain that you might become
"a great physician If we only had mon
ey, that we might mingle in the world.
SO went on the stage-her stage
not the elevated life of real talent and
genius; and in half a dozen nights I
had seen what her life amounted to.
Needless to say, l was thoroughly
heartsick; left the company, and re-
'pentant, and despising my own folly
and credulity, went home to our lit
tie cottage, determined to be content
with the lot in life to which Heaven
had called me. Bur, alas! you had
been there, and finding me gone and
the silly note which had left, you had
disposed of everything; the house was
In the hands Of strangers, and when
sought you there waa no trace of your
whereabouts to be discovered-only
you had gone to America. l came to
Paris then. l found an old woman
whom had once known at home; she
was poor and she gave me shelter.
a small shop. She took me with her
for company, taught me to work, and
| have earned my bread since by such
work as this"
She opened the bundle on the table;
It contained a dozen coarse shirts.
For moment Morris Dudley stood
gazing upon her, like one who sudden
ly beholds a wonderful revelation.
The pinched, half-starved look, the
deep blue eyes, full Of wordless sorrow,
the patient little mouth-all told their
tale of suffering. He drew nearer and
falling on his knees at her feet, he
caught the toil-hardaned little hand,
and crushed it against his lips.
May Heaven forgive mel" he moan
ed, contritely. What a wretch, what
an objectionable wretch have BEEN"
For long time he knelt there, Sob
bling like a child; then he raised his
eyes to her face. She was weeping ST.
lently, but her tears were more of Joy
than grief.
"Viva!" he cried wildly, "can you
ever forgive me? Do YOU hate ne,
Viva?"
For answer she threw her arms
about his neck. Morris" she said,
softly, through her tears. Il was to
blame, was altogether wrong!
But, believe me, for tho Father of all
Knows it is true, did not leave home
Tor any wrong purpose, no. even with
the love of the stage, but simply and
sntirely because I, in my foolish mex
perience, hoped to earn money and sur
prise you with the gift; you had done
30 much for me. Morris. But | was
wrong, my darling, and Heaven knows
now I repent and regret the past.
forgive you freely, Morris, how could
{ do otherwise"
ITO BE Continually