Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-06-07
CHAPTER VII-(Continued.)

"Am | Mrs. james Moray, or am l
NOT" says Della as she confronts her
brother-in-law boldly.
"Rcally. this is an excessively awkward
predicament." he stammcrs in reply.
81 will not leave the house." she says,
defantly. until you answer my cues
zion. and give me back my boy. Am !
your brothers. wife, or am l nOtT'
"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.. Morayw 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 a widower and the boy
hOrphan"
Then he lied to YOU" says Della. lie
knew his brother had a wife. lie has
spent evening after evening ut our rooms.
going out with my unfortunate husband,
and encouraging him in drinking and 9TH
er vices"
We'll. il 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, 1
thought it best not to let you hear the
truth. especially as 1 have decided to
adopt the little boy"
"Hadopt the little boyr' exclaims Mrs
Moray. IN allow you to do no such
thing. What, you expect me to hact the
part Of mother to a hactress' himp: Never!
The very hidea makes my blood curdle."
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
motherl Where is my child?" she con-
tinues fiercely, as she turns upon William
Moray; where is my Willy? Give him
back to me or III go straight to The next
magistrate and tell him the whole story
from beginning to end"
But at the sound of his mothers voice
uttcring 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 cry of pleasure, into Della g
arms.
My childf' she exclaims, "my own.
own child, Let those take heed who would
try 10 tear you from me again"
But, under the circumstances, l shsIl
not be justified i'll permitting you tore
move my nephew from my care" infer
poses William Moray pervnnslx-.l!!.s ~
father pi=r-7eu MN Win me, and unless the
law interferes, you have no right to take
him away. In fact, l will not let him
goT'
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 10y 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 conciliate 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
hayenue," just here announces Jeames
Plush, hastily.
1t is evident that Mr.. James Moray is
no welcome visitor at the Firs, since the
Ing Of his approach. But his presence at
THIS particular moment is real relief
to his brother, who gives a ready order
ior his admittance. At the intelligence
Of her husbands presence, Della turns
yer! pale, and clasps the boy tighter to
her bosom. But she does not quail, new
ertheless.
nat low creature here hagain p ejac-
ulates Mrs. Moray, with his drunken
habits and his unpleasant, cunning coun-
tehance Well, there's a nice pair of you,
and that's my hopinion, and hif I'd known
MI would come to this, / never would
nave demeaned myself by hentering such
family-no, neyer.'
Whatever you may think. be good
enough to keep it to yourself for the pres
eht' replies her husband my brother .
coming Is most opportune. 1t relieves my
Hilhd OF a great responsibility. He can
now do what he thinks best with his OVID
de shall never take him from me
again says Della. as she holds the boy
I'se-close against her throbbing heart,
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