The Southern herald., 1900-03-09

1 saw the laCH turn pink a. this.
What a strange answer she said.
But it is beautiful name. Naturally,
your name is the same as it always
was"
Naturally" said my adopted moth.
er. "Iou may run out and play, Made.
laine."
played about the doorstep Till the
tall lady came out, and then I said. GO
ing up and taking hold of her hand;
If you do not live far away | will
go with you and see what your house
is like"
Thank you,' said she, smiling, and
led me on.
We turned corner and stopped be,
fore a tall, dark stone house, with cur.
tains like frost-work at the windows.
will you come in?" she asked.
mot to-day. My mother will be wait,
ing for me. But | will come to-mor.
row, if you like, and bring my doll. ]
can come after my lessons"
AT three?"
YES" l agreed.
But that evening, when my adopted
mother held me ON her lap, she said to
me;
"Madelaine, you are never to 60 to
see the lady who called here to-day,
even though she asks you
why, mother?'
81 hardly know why myself. But you
must not 60
81 promised her l would go to-mor.
row."
You must write her note and tey
her you will not be there
Yes, mother
So / did. 1t was an ill-spelled littl,
note, and il had tear blot ON it. The
coachman carried il for me.
But still we met sometimes. Once in
terrible storm of wind and rain, when
was running home, she called me into
her carriage.
You are all dripping she cried,
hanging over me. "Oh, me! Oh, me!
You will catch cold! Give me your
hands and let me warm Them And
she chafed my hands, and even held
l them to her cheek.
She was at my coming-out party,
years after, and sent me a great arm
full of lilies, and after that | met her
quite often at different places-teas or
dinners or the opera. Sometimes, when
we met in the dressing-room, she would
give little touch TO my hair, or tie my
ribbons afresh, or say whether or not
she thought a certain color becoming
to me.
On certain day of every year re.
ceived gift from an unknown donor,
and | concluded, after much thought,
that this day was the anniversary of my
birth. Of the giyer of these gifts had
no doubt. My adopted mother had not
the heart to forbid me to keep and use
the things l received in this manner,
though / could see she was not well
| pleased that l should be the recipient Of
them.
was quite 20 years old when one day,
as / walked in the park, a woman came
up to me, begging that | would come
with her quickly. She said that her
mistress desired above all things to see
me. | knew the woman to be the maid
Of that lifelong mysterious friend whose
influence had always surrounded me,
though we had never lived under the
same roof nor enjoyed intercourse to-
gether.
81 am forbidden TO go to her house."
l said, remembering the old forbid
dance.
But she is dying"
A swift fear winged my feet. ran as
fast as | could to the dark house with
the frost-like curtains. Up the stairs
sped, past the servant who opened
the door for me on to the front cham
Der. The nurse made way for me.
There were two men in the room, but l
brushed by them.
She raised herself from her pillows
with a tremendous effort.
Madam, madam" called the physi-
| clan, II you are SO RECKLESS you Will
end your life at ONCE"
She caught me to her arms and we
wept together.
II thought l was never going to be
kissed by you," 1 sobbed. "Wby did
you wait so long?"
"Do you love me, little Madelaine?"
she whispered.
1 kissed her on the eyes and on the
hair.
dearest! dearest!" answered.
She relaxed in my arms.
my dear young lady," said the ply
sician, gently, "she is dead"
laid her on the pillow and then stood
and looked at her.
''If only she had sent for me before"
1 said over and over with dry lips.
"You ask no questions" said the man
who stood at the foot of the bed. l lift
ed my burning eyes and looked at him.
He was masterful man.
II am not curious" said, coldly, and
I kissed my pale lady long on the lips
and went away.-Cbicago Tribune.
II IT Does He VIII Rise.
| Moa1.ybiIa eava fha phiiodalnhfa