The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-03-09

Lucie but steal her sons heart from its
past allegiance she would gladly overlook
all disparities of birth and fortune.
Robert can never reconcile himself to
the little comedy she is playing without
his consent and threatens at any moment
to force the situation.
And poor Nells conscience has awak-
ened under the kind and almost motherly
treatment of Mrs. Winthrop. She feels
all unworthy the confidence reposed in
her, and each day renders confession the
more difficult, till at last she becomes so
frightened by the situation that she
would fain take refuge in ignominious
flight. Then again her careless nature
asserts itself, and she throws fear to the
winds, charms Robert to n happier mood,
and they sail away from the land like
children at play.
One evening she sits at the piano sing
ing, while mother and son listen from the
little balcony and watch the great white
moon climb upward from the watery
waste of the gray sea.
The girl has rarely sweet meZzo So
prano, with a certain sympathetic thrill
in it that goes straight to the heart. As
she wanders abssntly from one song to
another Mrs. Winthrop is much moved.
what rare gift of song" she MUIR
INJURED. Robert, my son, could this be
your choice it would make my heart glad.
You can search the world over and fail
to find a lovelier nature
Mother" and he caught her hand in
an eager clasp, "you really mean it-yOu
consent"
AT that moment Nell stepped out on
the balcony. Nell" he cried, with a
joyous ring in his voice, mother has
given the consent dared not ask"
"Ah, Robert, you have learned to love
her, then, thanks to the old lady's diplo-
macy"
"Yes, mother. l have loved her long
and deeply"
But as she leaned forward to kiss the
speeches. girl Nell recoiled from her EN-
brace. mo, no; not yet, dear madam.
First hear my confession and then con.
denim me If you will"
your confession?" In bewilderment.
In vain Robert laid a protesting hand
on her arm, implored her with his glance.
81 will speak, l will, il 1 forfeit all by
my confession. Dear madam, hear me.
am not the modest, lowly companion
whom you have known and loved all
summer. l am an impostor, an innocent
one, it may be, but an impostor all the
same"
Hush, my child" in a strange, star
tied tone. ITO me you have been faith.
full friend. care nothing for the secrets
Of your past"
"Listen to me, dear madam" she pant
ed, feeling her courage fast ebbing away.
81 am Nella Ward, the actress your
son honored with his love-"
"No, no! will not believe it."
Still the pleading voice went on, while
the lovers face flushed and paled, and
Mrs. Winthrop hardened to sternness as
the truth was borne in upon her.
81 acted upon impulse when first
came to you. said will know and win
the mother of the man 1 love. She will
not come to me, but will go to her, and
then some day, when she has learned to
love me for my own sake, l will make
my confession. IL can say no more"
Her voice broke, and she sank down by
her lovers side, hiding her face in her
hands.
Silence followed this broken speech,
and when Mrs. Winthrop spoke again it
was in slow, measured tones that chilled
the hearts of her hearers.
"You have faid siege to a mothers
heart, betrayed her most sacred conf
dences, destroyed her faith in human ma
ture. You two have conspired against
me-" she famed forth, with growing fire
and resentment, while / have been the
willing dupe of your deep designs"
mo. no, dear madam" pleadingly. at
was all my doing, and the punishment
shall be mine alone"
"Neyer will l believe In truth or inno-
cence again." she began, but the girl de-
tected the waver In her voice, caught her
hand to her lips and kissed it.
"Go away" weakly. "AH, child, how
I have loved you, what hopes 1 have
cherished this summer" And then.
yielding to impulse, she put her arms
about the kneeling figure and burst into
tears.
81 do believe in you, child" she sobbcd,
"and | forgive the deception that has
taught me n much needed lesson"
And the lovers claspcd hands in the
darkness, with hearts too full for speech.
-DoStOn Budget.