The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1899-11-09
CHAPTER xxvII.-(CoNr1NUED.l

"You must bring her to me; prom
Use me, Amos"
when she comes, I will bring her
10 you"
"I have something to say to her
and TO you. 1 once wronged her in my
thoughts, and I 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
kegularly-though I doubt she is trou-
bled in her mind about you. Heed
what l say, my o 4. All the tales
whispered about her were false. She
Is better than gold-she is as true as
steel, and I misjudged her."
My breath came and went quickly,
and Pearl urged me to lie down and
rest.
"I will watch over your mother" she
said, with a 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
as I am. it was Mabel's voice 1 heard"
The wonder expressed in Pearls face
grew and grew.
may" said I, 'there is no one in the
oom but you, I, and a little maid
I'm fond of. Speak to my mother,
Pearl"
"Can I do anything for you?" 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,
90 tease and please me. AS if I could
be mistaken in Mabel's 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 I whis-
pered to Pearl to humor her.
IF you think I have anything to
forgive" said Pearl, in a low, trem-
bling voice, and with difficulty re-
strainlng her tears, II forgive you"
1.-The Lord bless you and my SOM"
murmured my mother; and then an
Deared to sink to sleep.
SAopI SoAtly TO Lne room below,
with hope and remorse newly born in
my heart. Pearl followed me a mo-
ment afterward. She gazed at me tim
idly, wistfully.
MAY I 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! 1 heard a cry outside! It
as a woman's voice!"
; She was Fastening to the door, when
I gently prevented her, and bid her
go to my mother.
And if o love me, dear child"
i said, as I tenderly embraced her. "do
not come down until l summon YOU.
Nay, ask no more questions now.
W1l explain all to you before long"
After but a moments hesitation she
went slowly upstairs. Then I myself
OPOA 4O L CCG-uOOI,
l also heard the cry; and the instinct
OF affection, or remorse, led me to sus-
pect from whose overcharged bosom
ut had proceeded.
My instinct guided me Alright. Out
aide by the window a m crouched
hiding her face from me.
MABEL" I said.
At the sound of my voice the woman
crouched lower and lower, with sobs
that might have come from a broker
heart.
Mabel" I said again, "you need H.,
fear me now. My passion is spent,
An unexpected note of tenderness il
my voice gave her courage to raise hel
head-to rise from the ground, anC
face me.
Forgive me; oh, forgive mel" sh,
said, holding out her arms imploringly
Tbut should have died had | stopped
away. You spoke of a child-Pearl!-
whom you saved from the wreck, AM
who is here with you! If you wer
not hooking me, if you have a spar]
or mercy in your breast, let me see her
oh, my heart, my heart!"
Hush! you will alarm her! 1 hav
hcard strange things tonight, and W
must speak plainly to each other, with
out reservation and without suspicion
Come inside"
l drew her into the room, and ono
more-oh, thank God! once more!-
single roof covered all I had loved i
the world.