Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1900-08-10
Gracmc, ewing her visitors with much GU
| rjoSity

panion at once. Dunnore answered i'm the
affirmative. and the party were then usl-
cred int" the lutte hest room. which was
but dimly lighted. This was done with
out Mrs. Griemc appearing 10 notice the
littlc. boy that Miss Muir WAS leading by
tic hand. and the latter. after disposing
OF herself i'll Il seat near an angle, con-
trived To thrust Robbie so much out of
sight between her and the wall us to have
his presence still further ignored by the
time an additional lamp VS. brought in
by Mrs. Graeme. which slr proceeded to
do without delay.
Then it was that Mary Gracme and
Agnes Muir looked at each other mar
rowly. The former fell to wondering who
her graceful. high bred and undeniably
beautiful visitor could he. while Miss
Muir, upon her part. gazed sympathetical-
~ upon the and sad-visaged
woman. of whose very existence she had
been unaware until but Il short time pre-
v%ionsly.
Before ] Introduce myself or my COM
panion. madam" said Dunmorc. II will
briefly recount to you the object of our
calling here. y. month or more ago. this
lady and were %ca>taways upon n wreck
ed raft i'll mid-ocean. Among those 70
whom death came WAS one who, with his
failing breath, declared himself to me as
Il distant kinsman of yours. He babe
mo seek You out. should l be spared to
reach my native land again. His name
was Alexander Mackenzie"
slrs. Graeme started to her feet, with
a wild, eager look in her pale face.
oh, sir! it is my cousin, Sandy O. the
Craigengaclt, YOU meant cried she.
Whit, and died he so, poor man? |
heard 4 rumor that his sister Jean had
died. and then that he himself had wan
dered away to the .Africas, taking along
with him" She paused, with IL sort
Of wall and sob, as though Il great lump
had risen in her throat, and then, as she
sank back in her seat, she covered her
face with her hands. and moaned out, in
broken tones: 'Oh, my BARN, my ain Rob
| bic!'
MIR. Mackenzie said something of your
having intrustcd Your child to his care,
madam continued Dunmore.
And did Sandy, in dying. tell you moth
ing Of the poor bairn, sir!' sh" asked.
wiping her eyes.
Indeed, he did" cried Dunnore. heart
lily; and this lady, Miss Muir. who kind
~ accompanies me, will take it on herself
TO tell YOU the remainder OF my message
from the sea-
Muir, did YOU say? Is it Agnes Muir,
then!' cried Mary Graeme. in a greatly
altered tone; and. again starting to her
feet. she confronted Miss Muir with an
cry aud mcnacing looks.
Miss Muir had also risen. and, as She
had done so, little Robbie had. in strict
obedience to his instructions. slipped be-
hind her. where he remained. clutching
Al the folds OF her cloak. and altogether
out of sight.
Il am. indeed. Agnes Muir. Mrs.
trra"me.' said Agnes. extending her
hand. And, since l see by your manner
that You are i'll some measure aware of
my unfortunate correspondence with Sir
Lake Dalzicl, your lawful but unworthy
husband. trust you to listen To an eX-
eanation from me-"
Mary bowed frcczingly, and without in
.,nywisc unbending the stern look that
had come into her face: but Miss Muir
Went on hurriedly. and told her story. She
concluded with moist eyes and uuiycring
lip. and again advancing IL step. extended
her hand. Mary Gracmr did not know
VIA w wv VI sly. IltI breast lnlNcG
with varied and contcnding emotions. i'm
which the thought of her own wronged
prosecuted and long-slifcring self was
naturally uppcrmost. She bowed her head
sUllenly on her breast. and held her hands
>tiiily down before her with the fingers
intcrlaced.
You do not speak, am but a stranger
TO you-your heart is too full of past
wrongs. perhaps. to find room for forgiy-
ing me-" said Agnes. with indescribnlAe
semtlencss and sympathy. Sec. then,
Mary. my sister in misfortune, let this lit
tic lad plead between u.s." And she drew
the child from behind her. and fairly
thrust him under the astonishcd woman's
eyes. lit is Your BARN. your own Rob
bic. that | have brought back to your
arms! Take him.
Mary staggered back with Il great and
joyful cry. her lips parting. and the color
flying from her face.
You don't mean it?" she screamed.
brushing back the braids from her tenn
pies. and bending forward to gaze at the
startled lad.
1T is indeed true. madam" said Dun
more, with difficulty mastering his cmo-
tion. THE lad was left in my care by
Mackenzie as IL dying charge. Not only
that, but wealth, wealth in large amount,
is in my hands as YOU sons fortune
But Mary only heard his first few
words. and now she was on her knees,
rocking herself to and fro with the child
locked in her arms. and with the great,
devouring. mnappcased heart-hungcr of
years finding its expression i'll sobs and
tears of thankfulncss, in carcsses. and
kisses. and pretty means Of love.
Dunmore and Miss Muir remained but
a few minutes MS witnesses of this touch
ing scene. Then, Mt a signal from the
hitter, they both rose, with the intention
of slipping away unobserved.
But before they could succeed in reach
ing the outer door Mrs. Gracme sprang
after them.
Not yet. not quite yet. till I've poured
out my full heart to you hoth!' she cried,
dropping little Robbie out of her arms
for an instant, in order to run ont into the
hall after them. wait. wait! Surely