Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-01-28

"oucrh iNome. anu WIS "c"'' VI '"e
same magnitude.
Hehchard had chosen TINS spot as oeing
the SAFEST from Observation wmch ne
could think OF for meeting MS iohs-lcst
wire, ana at the same time as one easily
10 DC round ny stranger after nigntiail.
AS Mayor Of the town, with reputation
10 Keep up, he could not invite her TO come
10 MS mousse TILL some dcfinite course had
oecn DECIDED on.
Just before eight he approached the de-
serted earthwork. and entered by the
south path which descended over the de-
bris OF the former dcns. In q few mo-
ments ne could discern female iigure
creeping In by the great north gap. or pup.
lie gateway. They met In the middle OF
the arena. Neither spoke just at hrst-
there was no necessity for speech.-and
the poor woman leaned against Henchard.
VINO supported hcr In his arms.
Il don't drink" he said. In a low, halt
Ing, apologetic voice. "You hear. Susan?
don't drink now-l haven't since that
night" Those were his first words.
He felt her bow her head In acknowl-
cdgcment that she understood. After a
minute or two he again began:
III ! had known you were living. Susan!
But there was every reason to suppose
you and the child were dead and gone. l
took every possible step to find you--trnv-
eled--advertised. My opinion at last was
that you had started for some colony with
that man, and had been drowned on your
voyage out. Why did You keep silent like
thisy
"Oh, Michael. because Of him--what
other reason could there be? l thought
! owed him faithfulncss to the end OF one
OF our livcs-foolishly believed there was
something solemn and binding In the bar
gain: thought TINT even In honor dared
not desert him when he had paid SO much
for me. In good faith. ! meet you now
only as his widow consider myself that.
and that ] have no claim upon you. Had
he not died. should never have come
never. Or that you may be sure"
1T Is only that which makes me feel
ye an innocent woman. But---to lead me
into this"
what, Michnel?" she asked, alarmed.
"Why, this difficulty about our living
together again, aud Elizabeth Jane. She
cannot be told nll-shc would so despisc
us both that--.I could not bear it!'
THAT was why she was brought up In
ignorance Of you. ! could not bear It
either"
"Wcll-wc must talk Of n plan for keep
Ing her In her present belief, and getting
matters straight In spite Of 1t. You have
heard I am In large way Of business
herc--that am Mayor Of the town, and
church warden, and l don't know what
oil"
YES" she murmured.
"Thcsc things, rs well as the dread Of
the girl discovering our disgrace. makes
Il necessary to net with extreme caution.
So that l don't see how you two can re-
turn openly to my house rs the wife and
daughter l once treated badly and ban.
ishcd from me; and there's the rub O't."
'"Wcll go away ut once. only came to
see"
mo. no. Susan; You arc not to go--yOu
mistake me-" he said with kindly severity.
Il have thought Of this plan: That you
and Elizabeth take cottage In the town
as the widow Mrs. NewsOn and her
daughter: that meet you, court You and
marry you, Elizabeth Jane coming to my
house o. my stepdaughter. The thing Il
no natural and easy that 1t Is half done
In thinking OF. This would leave my
shady. headstrong. disgraccful life Us
young man unopened; the secret would
he yours and mine only; and I should have
tho pleasure OF seeing my only child undo,
my roof. as we'll as my wife"
II am quite In your hands, Michael
she said meekly. II came here for the
sake Of Elizabeth; for myself, IL YOU toll
mo TO leave again tomorrow morning and
never come near you more l am conten,
TO 60"
Snow. now. we don't wnnt IN hon,
That" said Henchard. gently. "Of cours,
Won won't leave again. Think over IN,
nlan I have propOsed for a fcw hours
and II Won can't hit uDon n hotter m,
we'll adopt II. l have TO no awny for !
dnv or two on business. unfortunotolv
but during TINT time Won cnn GOT iodrins,
the ONLY ones In the town A. FOR Won mr.,
those over the china shoD in High strcc
II like tho iicn az rencntina our mar
rage" soid Mrs. Henchard. after pause
ut seems the only right course, after nj
this, Now think must 70 back to Elix
abcth Jane, and tell her that our kinsman
. Mr.. Hcnchard, kindly wishes Us to stay II
I the town."
Every well--arrange that yourself. "I'l
10 some way with you."
mo. no. Don't run any riskv' said hi,
wife. anxiously. II can find my way bacl
1T IL not late. Please let me 70 alone"
Fright" said Henchard. but just on,
word. DO you forgive me, SusanT"
She murmured something; but seemed
to find It difficult to frame her answer
"Never mind-all In good time" said he
Judge me by my future works-good