, 1899-05-19
CHAPTER vII-(Continued.)

am L mis- OiblIo NAOld9s "a Ill
aot?" says Della as she confronts her
= brother-in-law boldly.
"Reallyi this is an excessively awkward
p~redicament," he stammers in reply.
Il will not leave the house," she says,
defiantly, until you answer my ques'
ton, and give me back my boy. Am
YOU brothers wife, or am I notY"
"Well-of course-at least James as
sures me-" he commences, still utterly al
a loss to know how to get out of the di-
lemma.
"Why, Mr.. Morayv' exclaims his better
half, do you mean to tell me there's hany
doubt upon the matter, when you've has.
sured me, times hout of number, that
your brother his a widower IND the boy
a horphan2"
"Then he lied to you," says Della. lie
knew his brother had a wife. He has
spent evening after evening ut our rooms,
going out with my unfortunate husband,
n encouraging him in drinking and 9th
er vices"
"Well, if you must have it," says Mo
ray, "this woman is my brothers wife;
but knowing the objection you would nat
urally feel toward her profession,
thought it best not to let you hear the
truth, especially as l have decided to
adopt the little boy"
"Hadopt the little boy!" exclaims Mrs
Moray. "In allow you to do no such
thing. What! you expect me to hact the
part of mother to a hactress' himpf Neverl
The very hidea makes my blood curdle."
"a mother to my boy!" cries Della, in
her turn. Il would like to see you or any
other woman dare to try it. | am his
mother! Where is my childY" she con-
tinues fiercely, as she turns upon William
Moray; where is my Willy? Give him
back to me or I'll go straight to the next
magistrate and tell him the whole story
from beginning to end"
But at the sound of his mothers voice
uttering his name, and raised as though
to summon him, little Willy has got down
from his chair at the luncheon table, and
now, appearing at the drawing room door,
lies, with a cry of pleasure, into Delia's
arms.
MY child!' she exclaims, 'my own,
own child! Let those take heed who would
try to tear you from me again."
But, under the circumstances, | shall
not be justified in permitting you to re-
move my nephew from my care" inter-
poses William Moray nervously. His
father placed him with me, and unless the
law interferes, you h2ye 10 right to tale
aim - In fact,pI will -I0eS1et him
: xop'
IF vol don't, I'll turn him bout hon
the doorstep" says his wife.
IF you don't, | claim my right to re-
mnin by his side till the affair is settled"
says his sister-in-law.
William Moray is like a man between
two fires. He really is to be pitied the
most of the three. He does not know
which of these women to conciliate first,
nor on what tack to steer so as to make
his peace with either.
Il took the child from your lodgings
with the best Intentions" he says to De-
liza You cannot bear the whole burden
of his support in case of anything happen
ing to my brother, and it was my inten-
ton to help you by adopting Willy as my
son."
You shall never have him. she cries,
Indignantly.
Mr.. James Moray his coming hup the
h%ayenue," just here announces Jeames
Plush, hastily.
1t is evident that Mr.. James Moray Is
no welcome visitor at the Firs, since the
servants nave been ordered to give warn
ing Of his approach. But his presence at
this particular moment is a real relief
TO his brother, who gives a ready order
for his admittance. At the intelligence
of her husbands presence, Della turns
very pale, and clasps the boy tighter to
her bosom. But she does not quail, new
ertheless.
THAT low creature here hagain p eiac-
ulates Mrs. Moray, with his drunken
habits and his unpleasant, cunning coun-
tenance. Well, there's a nice pair of you,
and that's my %hopinion, and hif I'd known
hit would come to this, l never would
have demeaned myself by hentering such
a family-no, never!'
Whatever you may think, be good
enough to keep it to yourself for the pres
ent," replies her husband. my brothers
coming is most o%pportune. 1t relieves my
mind Of a great responsibility. He can
now do what he thinks best with his OVID
child"
HE shall never take him from me
again. says Della, as she holds the boy
close-close against her throbbing heart.
and nerves herself for the coming inter
view.