The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1899-08-24

smy wife in tone of love, and l no.
'ticed that Pearl was listening now with
q sudden wonder in her face.
"No mother; she is not here"
"You must bring her to me; prom
tse me, Amos"
when she comes, l will bring her
10 YOU"
IL have something to say to her
and to you. l once wronged her in my
thoughts, and l want to ask her for
giveness. She has behaved to me like
. true loving daughter while you have
been away, and has given me money
tegularly-though l doubt she is trou
bled In her mind about you. Heed
what / say, my son. All the tales
whispered about her were false. She
Is better than gold-she is as true as
steel, and l misjudged her."
My breath came and went quickly,
and Pearl urged me to lie down and
rest.
II will watch over your mother" she
said, with strange flush on her face
WHO spoken" cried my mother,
striving to rise in bed. "You told me
Mabel was not here"
Neither is she, mother"
"She Is. You can't deceive me, blind
rs am. it was Mabel's voice / heard"
The wonder expressed in PEARLS face
grew and grew.
NAY" said /, there is no one in the
room but you, /, and little maid
I'm fond OF. Speak to my mother,
Pearl"
Can do anything for your" asked
Pearl. timidly.
Give me your hand, my child" said
my mother. Pearl obeyed. A pleasant
smile came to my mothers lips. "Ah,
my son, this is one of your old tricks,
TO tease and please me. AS IL could
be mistaken in Mabels voice! Mabel.
my child"-her voice grew more SOL
emn here-"I have wronged you. Say
that you forgive me-"
L saw that my dear old mother was
wandering in her mind, and whis-
pered to Pearl to humor her.
IF you think / have anything to
forgive" said Pearl. in low, trem-
bling voice, and with difficulty re-
straining her tears, II forgive you"
"The Lord bless you and my son!"
murmured my mother; and then ap-
'peared to sink to sleep.
crept softly to the room below
with hope and remorse newly born in
my heart Pearl followed me a mo-
ament afterward. She gazed at me tim
Idly. wistfully.
May ask you a question:" she
said
Yes, my child"
WHO is Mabel, and why is my voice
like hers"
Mabel Is my wife, dear child"
1t was my poor mothers name"
! said Pearl. her tears flowing. "She
was a sailors wife. and my father
was drowned. That is why I hate the
sea Hush! heard cry outside! It
LIS wOman's voice!"
She was fastening to the door, when
gently prevented her, and bid her
20 to my mother.
"And II you love me, dear child"
i said. as / tenderly embraced her. do
not come down until summon you.
Nay, ask no more questions now. I
Will explain all to you before long"
After but a moments hesitation she
went slowly upstairs. Then l myself
threw open the street-door.
also heard the cry; and the instinct
'of affection. or remorse, led me to sus-
.pect from whose overcharged bosom
1t had proceeded.
My instinct guided me Alright. Out
side by the window woman crouched.
hiding her face from me.
Mabel" 1 said.
At the sound Of my voice the woman
'crouched lower and lower, with sobs
that might have come from broken
heart.
Mabel said again, "you need ~,
rear me now. My passion Is suent +"
An unexpected note of tenderness in
my voice gave her courage to raise her
head-to rise from the ground. and
face me.
Forgive me; oh, forgive mel" she
said, holding out her arms imploringly.
'but should have died had l stopped
away. You spoke OF a child-P Pearl. -
whom you saved from the wreck. and
who Is here with you If you were
not hooking me, If you have a spark
OF mercy in your breast, let me see her,
Oh, my heart, my heart"
Hush! you will alarm her. have
heard strange things tonight, and we
must speak plainly to each other, with
Out reservation and without suspicion.
Come inside"
drew her into the room. and once
more-oh, thank God, once more,-a
single roof covered all l had loved in
the world.
bid her sit down nv tho fro ond -