, 1899-05-05

"Hold your tongue, you old vixen,
commenced James Moray, but his brother,
stops him.
BE quiet, Jem, and let us go upstairs.
You're not in q fit state to speak to any
pne."
mo, that 'e's not, nor ever is" replies
Mrs. Timson, witheringly; take i'm up
with you, do, sir, and q precious bargain
you've got. And IL you don't mean to
stay here all night yourself you'll be good
enough to u out again sharp, for I've
waited up too long for you already, and
aon't mean to trust my 'ouse to a drunken
sot like that ERE"
James Moray here makes a futile dash
nj the landlady's cap, but nearly upsets
his balance in the attempt, and his broth
TT with some difficulty guides his totter'
ing feet up to the comfortless sitting room,
where Della has already preceded them
with the boy.
When at last they reach It they find her
kneeling before the fire, taking off Willy's
wet garments and chatting his feet and
hands, which are as cold as ice. The
leok Of anxiety and reproach Upon her
lace is quite sufficient to raise her hus-
bands choler.
Leave that brat Alone" he says, au-
thoritatively, "and let him put himself to
bed as best he may. l require your SER
sices-n
But Della can be angry, too. The meek
spirit with which she bears his insult to
herself does not extend to his behavior to
her child.
Il cannot leave him yet" she
determinedly. HE is wet through to the
skin, and heaven only knows what harm
gou may not have done him by taking him
ont at night in such weather. If | do not
see that he is thoroughly warmed and
dried he will have an attack of infamma-
lion before the morning."
ID you mean to disobey me?" cries
James Moray, as he advances toward her
shreateningly.
He is a slight, effeminate specimen of
ais race, with pale blue eyes md reddish
hntr; but even an effeminate man is an
alarming antagonist for a woman when
he approaches her intoxicated and with
nplifted arm.
A sudden resolution seized Della to ap-
peal to the protection of her brother-in-
INV. She has never been intimate with
William Moray, for though he constantly
visits her apartments it is generally. dur
iae the evening" when she l. ~
home.
Della dislikes him heartily, with his
suxiy, well-fed manner and pompous
speech, but surely, she thinks, he can new
n stAnd smilingly by ahd listen to her
Arshand's abuse of her.
Mr.. Moray, | beg you to interfere with
yDnE brother on my behalf. This child is
exceedingly delicate, and most subject to
vielent attacks of cold that endanger his
fife. He ought never to have been taken
out tonight; no father who had the least
consideration for his health would nave
done so; but since the error has been com-
united / will not be deprived of applying
she remedy. Pray reason with James
and show him that l am right"
"Well-really@' stammers her broth
~er-in-law, II scarcely feel justified in-in
-opposing-your-that is, my brothers
rlnim to what he thinks best with his own
childv'
~Of course not" interposes her hus-
hand, loudly. zone would imagine, to
hear you speak, that the boy didn't be-
long to me. Drop those clothes, l say!
Drop them! Leave the brat to himself!'
y shall not leave him." replies Della,
aIxo raising her voice, as she resumes her
occupation.
The men are equally amazed.
~Whatl' exclaims Mr.. William Moray.
~Were you speaking to meY' demands
Ehe other.
Il spoke to both of your she answers,
rising and folding her arms closely round
the child, as though to protect him. "It
s I that work for this child. All the
money that comes to this house comes
through my labor, and l do it for WHY'S
Kake-no one else's. Therefore l refuse
to give up the right to attend to his wants
the common right that every mother
has"
"Ill be whipped if you shall attend to
him now" says James Moray, as he
saizes the child by the arm and twists
him out of her embrace,
The action is violent and makes the
4sg scream, and the sound of his voice
in pain maddens his mother.
~Mr. MorayI' she exclaims vehemently,
III you stand by and let your brother
areEt US in this way | will never forgive
yrC- You don't know the tyranny he ex-
cruises over me and my poor child. Only
yesterday he beat Willy cruelly-look at
his pack and judge for yourself-and
threw me from the top of the stairs to the
b0ttom@'
Really, my dear lady, these little DO
nestle differences can have M interest for
n shird party. They are so much better
Kept to ones self"
Little domestic differences she echoes
E~ornfully. would your wife call it a
afaele domestic difference II her arm was
bruised as mine isT'
u should much prefer Mrs. Moray's
anme being kept out of the conversation
altogether"
"Oh, yes! l suppose her name Is too
good in your estimation to be mixed up
with such a disgraceful affair as a tipsy
man beating his wife. But my name is
Mrs. Moray, too-and 1 have not only to
hear of it, but to bear it."
II think, James," says William Moray,
burning to his brother, sit would be as
well if | wished you goodnight"
"An right" replies James, in a half
stupeied manner.
IT. =. .4;II loo pipO nm ooaiDcf thu mo1l