Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-05-17
CHAPTER XIV

ouHuB tne att0ck upon her, always
with that cold, white, beautiful look upon
her face. now points to the stricken child
lying painting. laughing and playing with
the dog at his fathers feet.
Bertie." says his mother, turning to
the child. do you know this, that your
father Is going to leave your
"GoingY says the boy, vaguely, for
getting the dog for moment and giancins
upward. "Wherer'
Away. Forever"
"WhereT says the boy again. He
rises to his feet now, and looks anxiously
at his father; then he smiles and flings
himself into his arms. 'Oh, not" says he.
in little soft, happy. sure sort Of a way.
Forever! ForeverT repeats Isabel, In q
curious monotone.
Take me up" says the child. tugging at
his fathers arms. "What does mamma
mean? Where are you goingT'
ITO America, to shoot bears" returns
with an embarrassed laugh.
How near to tears 1t is!
Real live bearsr' :.
"Yes."
Take met" says the child. excitedly.
And leave mammaT
"Ok, she'll come. too," says BERTHE, con-
fidently. ''She'll come where l CO."
Where he would go-the child! But would
she 60 wheDe the father went? Baltimore's .
brow darkened
II am afraid It is out Of the question" !"
he says, putting BERTHE back again upon
ing furiously and jumping up and down
in, sAA Ca I<ns - a
vOuring the child's legs. 1.-The bears
might eat you. When you are big and
You will come back for meY' cries
BERTHE, eagerly.
Perhaps"
He will not" breaks in Lady Balti-
more. violently. "He will come back NJ
more. wnen he goes you will never see
him again. He has said so. He is going
These last terrible words seem
10 have sunk into her soul She cannot
cease from repeating them.
Let the boy Alone" says Baltimore
angrily.
The child Is looking from one parent to
the other. He seems puzzled. expectant
but scarcely unhappy. Childhood can
-EuSD u great uedI, Out HOt diI. L ue mOTe
the childhood, the more 1t can
of the sudden and larger ways
Of life. But children delicately brought
up and clothed in love from their cradle
find it hard to realize that an end to their
happiness can ever come.
Tell me, papa" says he at last, in a
vague. sweet little way.
What Is there to tellT replies his faith
er, with a most meager laugh, Except
that saw Beecher bringing in some fresh
oranges half an hour ago. Perhaps he
hasn't eaten them all yet. II you were to
ask him for one"
"Ill find him." cries BERTHE, brightly,
everything but the present mo-
ment. Come. Trixy, come," to his dog;
you shall have some, too"
"You see, there won't be much trouble
with him." says Baltimore, when the boy
has run out of the room in pursuit of Or
anges. "It will take him day, perhaps,
and after that he will be quite your own
Ii you won't sign these papers to-day you
will perhaps tomorrow. had better 20
and tell Hansard that you would like to
have a little time to look them over"
He walks quickly down the, room, opens
the door and closes Il after him.
He has not, however, gone three yards
down the corridor when the door is again
opened and Lady Baltimore's voice calls
after him:
"Baltimorev' Her tone is sharp, highly
agoniZed-the tone Of one strung to the
highest pitch of despair. 1t startles him.
He turns to look at her. She Is standing,
framed in by the doorway and one hand
Is grasping the woodwork with a hold SO
firm that the knuckles are showing white.
With the other hand she beckons him to
approach her. He obeys her. He II even
30 frightened at the strange, gray look In
her face that he draws her bodily into the
room again, shutting the door with pres
sure Of the hand he can best spare.
what is itr' says he, looking down at
her.
She has managed to so far overcome the
faintness that has been threatening her as
to shake him off and stand free, leaning
against a chair behind her.
Don't CO." says she, hoarsely.
1t is impossible to misunderstand her
meaning. 1t has nothing whatever to do
with his interview with the lawyer wait
ing so patiently down below, but with
that final wandering Of his into regions
unknown. She is as white as death.
How is this, IsabelY' asks he. He is
as white as she is now. DO you know
what you are saying? This is moment
Of excitement; you do not comprehend
what your words mean"
"Stay! Stay for his sake"
"Is that allY" says he, his eyes search
ing hers.
"For mine, then"
The words seem to scorch her. She COW
ers her face with her hands and stands
before him, stricken dumb, miserable
confessed.
'.For yoursw
He goes closer to her, and ventures to
take her hand 1t is cold-cold as death.
His Is burning.
"You have given a reason for my stay
ing, indeed" says he. But what Is the
meaning Of it?"
''This!' cries she, throwing up her head,
and showing him her shamed and grief
st ricken face II am a coward! In spite
Of everything would not have you go
80 farT
IL see. 1 understand" he sighs, heavily.
"And yet that story was foul lie! 1t Is
all that stands between us, Isabel. Is II
not so? But you will not believe"
There is a long silence, during which
neither of them stirs. They seem wrap
ned in thought-in silence-he still holding
her hand.
"If it was lie," says she, at last. break
ing the quiet around them BY an effort.
would you 80 far forgive my distrust OF
ron as to be holding my hand like this?
"Yes. What Is there l would not for
give you p says he. And it was lie!'
Cyril" cries she. In great agitation,
take care! 1t is a last moment! DO you
dare to tell me that stillT'
"You dOubt?" says he, with stern
glance. $50 be 1t: you shall see the letter
she wrote me on her bed Of death! Though
how will that satisfy you? For you can
always crafty your desire for suspicion
by regarding 1t as a forgery. The woman
herself is dead, So Of course, there Is nc