Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1899-05-10
CHAPTER NIN.-tContinued.)

CHAPTER NIN.-tContinued.)
"You have told me of that already. Lady
Swansdown having failed you, may ask
with studied contempt-"who are yOr
going to take with you now?
What do you meant says he, wheeling
round to her. What do you mean by
thatY' laying his hands upon her shoul
ders. and looking with fierce eyes into hei
pale face, "a man might we'll kill your!
And why" demands she, undauntedly
"You would have taken her-you have
confessed so much-you had the coarse
courage TO put it into words. If not her
why"-with a shrug-"then another"
There, think as you WILL" says he, re
leasing her roughly. Nothing l coult
say would convince or move you. Ant
yet, know it is Of no use. but l am de
termined l will leave nothing unsaid. J
will give you no loop-hole. l asked her tt
70 with me in moment Of irritation. OF
loneliness, il you will; it is hard for a mar
to be forever outside the pale of affection
and | thought-well, 1t is no matter what
| thought. l was wrong, it seems. As
for caring for her, l care so little that
now feel actually glad she had the sense
to refuse my senseless proposal. She
would have bored me, l think, and ]
should undoubtedly have bored her. The
proposition was made to her in a moment
of folly"
'Oh, folly!' says she, with a curious
laugh.
We'll, give it any other name you like
And after all" in a low tone, you art
right. 1t was not the word. If had sale
despair should have been nearer the
mark"
There might have been another word
said she, slowly.
Even if there were," says he. ''the oc
casion for it is Of your making. You have
thrown me over; you must be prepared
therefore, to accept the consequences"
You have prepared n1e for anything
says she, calmly. but with bitter meaning
See here" says he, furiously. There
may still be one thing LETT TOR you winch !
have not prepared Yog hays, 5nst ssset
me who am going To tSRe with me wher
1 leave this place forever. Shall answer
your
Something in his manner terrifes her
she feels her face blanching. Words are
denied her, but she makes a faint move
ment of assent with her hand. What is hs
going to say?
What if l should decide, then, on tax
ing my son with me" says he, violently
"Who is there to prevent me? Not you
or another. Thus could cut all ties and
put you out of my life at once and for
ever,"
He had certainly not calculated on tn.
force of his words or his manner. 1t ha6
been a mere angry suggestion. There wal
no cruelty in Batimore's nature. He hat
never once permitted himself to dwell up
m tha 80 A.
from his mother. Such terrible revesg,
as that was beyond him-his whole natur,
would have revolted against it. He hai
spoken with passion, urged by her con
tempt into desire to show her where hin
power lay, without any intention of actu
ally using it. He meant. perhaps, t.
weaken her intolerable defiance, and show
her where a hole in her armor lay. Fl,
was not prepared for the effect Of hi
words.
An ashen shade had overspread he
face; her expression has become ghostly
AS though her limbs have suddenly giver
way under her, she falls against the man
telpiece and clings to it with trembling
fingers. Her eyes, wild and anguished
seek his
The childw gasps she, in a voice O:
mortal terror. The child! Not the child
oh! Baltimore, you have taken all from
me except that. Leave me my childT'
Don't look at me like that" exclaim,
he, inexpressibly shocked-this sudder
and complete abandonment Of herself te
her fear has Mortified him. Il never
meant it. 1 but suggested a possibility
The child shall stay with you. Do yOt
hear me, Isabel? The child is yours
Whep go, / go alonev'
There is n moments silence, and thef
she bursts into tears. 1t is a sharp reac
ton, and it shakes her bodily and mental
ly. y wild return OF her love for him
that first, sweet and only love Of her lif'
returns to her, born of intense gratitude
But sadly, slowly, it dies away again. Il
seems to her too late to dream Of thai
again. Yet perhaps her tears have al
much to DO with that lost love as with
her gratitude.
Slowly her color returns. She check,
her sobs. She raises her head and lOoki
at him still with her handkerchief pressed
to her tremulous lips.
1t is promise" says she.
Yes; promise"
''iou will not change again"-nervous
ly. YOU"
"Ah. doubt to the last" says he. ut il
promise from me to you, and Of course
the word of such a reprobate as you con
slider me can scarcely be Of any avail.
But you could not break this promise !!
says she, in a low voice, and with a lont
sigh.
What trust you place in mew says he
with an open sneer-"well, SO be it. glv'
you home and child. You give memo
worth while to go into the magniicence o.
your gifts, is it?'
Il gave you once q whole heart, an un
broken faith" says she.
And took them back again. Child
play. says he. "Child's promises. wen
II you will have it SO, you have got
promise from me now, and l think yo,
might say thank you for it, as the chil
dren do"
Il do thank your says she, vehemently
Does not my whole manner speak 10
neP Once again her eyes fill with tears
So much love for the child!' cries ne, II
singing tone: "and not one thought 10
the father. Truly your professions OF low
Were light as thistle-dOwn. There! yo'
are not worth a thought yourself. E1pen'
any affection you have upon your son. an
forget me as soon as ever you can.
VIII not take you long, once l am OUT
Your sight"
de opens the door abruptly, and II gone