Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1899-11-17

mar and her heart babe her linger.
Fos the FIRST time the man spoke to
her.
II must beg your pardon, madam.
His mother has just died, and m
thing about you seems 10 have recalled
her to him."
Gabrielle's heart softcned at once.
Going straight up, she took the tiny.
outstretched hands In her own and
murmured, Poor. motherless little
oner'
The father held out his umbrella
over her, and for the 6rst time she
looked at him. The fnce was Rob
ert's.
She was glad for the excuse of turn
ing to the baby again and murmurcd
something unlntelligible.
However, he had not recognized her,
60 she drew oil her strength to her
assistance and succeeded In hiding her
emotion.
'If you will walk under my umbrel-
IA, as l am going your way, you can
keep dry. And, too. fear baby won't
like to part with you now"
There was no easy way to retreat.
II would have been absurd to scud OF
In n changed direction through the
pelting rain. 30 she continued talking
hurriedly to the child.
As they reached the foot OF the
broad stone steps she stopped.
II canno thank you enough for hav-
ing Gained Leslie. His nurse left this
morning, and he win not be consoled
by any Of the other servants. SO !
finally told Mrs. Clarke, the house
keeper. TINT / would try him for q
walk. But viii you not take the um-
brella7 It will be a shame TO expose
yourself TO such n deluge."
She gracefully declined all thanks
AID such kind offers and glided quick
ly of, a tall, black robed figure, daring
the watery drops. But q perfect shrek
from baby arose when be found him
self deserted in this fashion, and each
succeeding cry became louder and
more distressing. Again Gabrielle
could not go. Again she came back to
him.
WI you please ONE into the house
with him1 Mira. Clarke may there be
better able TO get him away than l."
So Gabrielle. carrying his child, Les
lie, entered the house, unknown, but
welcome even then. Leslics was not
to be easily deceived, and all the ruses
were seen through Immediately by his
careful, big blue eyes.
an. $50 - a v-.--,-.agq Al. ~-,-r
night" declared Mrs. Clarke as she en-
deavored, in her practical. cold hearted
way, to inveigle the young lord from
his new mamma"
but" groaned Mr., COPYRIGHT,
"where q one get one whom he can
trust on such very short noticeT"
A bold idea entered G~abrlelle's head
She tried three or four times to speak
and her voice failed. Finally she
choked back the lump In her throat
and said: would It be presumptuoua
In me to offer myself ! can show you
some excellent references, and l am
looking for some such position"
You a nursemaidP' exclaimed Mr.,
COPYRIGHT in amazement. Then. a
moment later, he would have given
much to have 1t back unsaid. Her
plain, black gown was darned at the
elbows. 1t was merely her way of wear
ing 1t that gave her the appearance of a
woman Of long founded culture and
deiicacy.
Two years went by, in which Miss
Varney. as she was then known, I'M
discovered, was loved by and loved In
return Mr.. Courtright's two children.
1t was n evening in March. just be-
fore dusk. when she had left Leslie up
stairs asleep and had Just come down
to the dra wing room with Mabel to
stay with the child until her father
came to dinner. He was late, and
Mabel wandered off to the library,
thus leaving Gabrielle alone In the
dimly lighted room when Mr.. Court
right finally entered.
"Shall | call MabelY" she began,
starting from her station at the win.
dow.
mo. Miss Varney, stay. / have
something to cay to you. You remem,
Der how moved | was the FIRST time
Leslie called you mammal You
thought then, no doubt, that It was be
cause Of the memory OF my wife. Part
ly 80, but mostly because l thought
for an instant that you were the wo
man who-who might have been his
mother, If the fates had been kinder
Do you know, Miss Varney, that you
often remind me cruelty of a woman
l loved better than the worldY'
"Your wifeT'
"No. One l loved before l met my
wife. Can you. will you, hate me If
ask you thus to be Leslie's mamma II
truth as well as In wordY'
Moment after moment went by. Thu
shadows came closer and the rim o.
lighter clouds near the western hori
zon grew narrower. At last she said
II, too, loved in the long ago. And
can never In any way love anothe.
man. But
"Mlss Varney"- he broke In.
mo, let me anish," she continued
Take IN umbrella and go down Il
the east gate. Do not ask n question
but take the umbrella and wait there