Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-06-30

had been the thorn that raIikled sorest
In that sadly -misprized fiiial affection
of his. He seemed much brighter, In
fat gayer spirits, after my suggestion
had taken effect.
A few days after this, late one after
noon, l was sitting by Madam's bed
side. Darracott was also In the room,
put at distance, sitting by a wind.
ow reading. Madam had recovered
consciousness and was aware OF her
condition and surroundings, but Dr.
Spencer had forbidden conversation or
exertion OF any sort, for she was still
very weak from loss OF Z blood. She
lay with her eyes wide open, gazing
steadfastly before her, but seeing
nothing. Presently she spoke. ~ =
.thyT -
"Yes. dear Madam"
A brief silence. Then mo ham
came 10 him-to my child, Dorothy 70
quiyered at the appellation which
L mad felt reserved exclusively for an
other, and I could hear deep breath
drawn over there by the window.
NO harm, dear Madam" said.
Inank God! o my God, do thank
Theer'
There was another pause: and then
something which would have disuual-
ified me for ever as a nurse in DIR.
Spencer's sight. rose, and approach
ing her closely, knelt down and took
her hand in mine. Then to her put
u question that brought about results
which were better panacea for her
lis than were all the Doctors medi-
caments.
And IL he had been injured, dear
Madam" suggested, what them
1t is only Darracott, you know-not
Gerald.
Surely was bold and venture
some maiden. My dear lady threw
my hand from her with some violence.
only Darracotti Only Darracottp'
she exclaimed. only the son who
mas never from the moment OF his
birth given me one moments anxietyII
Only the son who, child and man. has
studied and considered my comfort
and wishes in every respecti ONLY INV
hrst-born, whose love and devotion /
never priced until they began to slip
away from my careless possession
Only Darracott the child and darling
or my old age, for whose happiness
and weli-being would gladly Law
down my lifei Oh, Dorothy, how
little you imagine when you saw only
Darracott' that II IL in very truth only
Darracott who fills every nook and
corner OF my hearth
The desperate longing and regret
In her voice would have touched the
most callous breast. ! heard a move
ment behind me, and knew that Oar.
racott had risen impulsively at her
words Turning, raised my hand to
stay his advance, for l OWNED what
erect her words had produced upon
him, and felt that not yet was the
time fully ripe for a reconciliation.
The genuineness OF her love for him
must be proved beyond the possibility
of doubt, so that, in the future, re-
action from his present mood might
not be permitted to breed suspicion in
his mind. / rose from my kneeling
posture and stood beside the bed. still
holding Madam's white shrunkep
hand within my own.
Dear Madam" said, a little trem-
ulously, for this was indeed a great
perhaps an unwarrantable, responsI-
biilty / was taking upon myself, do
You remember n little package that
Alice gave you that sad afternoon ?''
She nodded her head In assent.
You remember she said ii was
from your son Gerald?"
Another asserting motion.
1T is, I think, a letter. What II IL
bids you desert the SON who remains
to, you, and adopt In his place. as
the afflicted girl whom your
dead son lovedT"
Madam had no knowledge OF Alice's
death and this was indeed n crucial
test 1 was subjecting her recently
Wanted love to, a choice between the
child and darling OF her old age" and
the dying request OF the idol of a life
time. But not an instant did she hest.
tate In her answer. She withdrew her
hand from my grasp, and clasping il
In its fellow. raised both as IL in sup
plication, while a bright and beauti-
full light dawned upon her pallid
giving it a heavenly radi-
ance OF expression.
B 'Oh, II indeed God would afford me
such an opportunity for atonementp'
she cried softly. "Oh, to be allowed
a chance for even so slight a compen-
Then you would stin cleave to
She hesitated a moment before re-
plying. Then, in a slow and solemn
tone, in lingering, measured accents,
she said:
IF there could be choice given me
to-day, not between my son Darracott
and the woman who blighted his life,
but between him and the brother who
assisted in that ruin, would choose
not the sen whom idolized until he
became villain, but my beloved child
whom / neglected until / discovered
that my heart was breaking for want
Of the love had SO long disregarded."
The man behind me was stridinS
forward. 1 hurriedly
asked another question before his
presence shoHld thrust mine aside.
"And this tardy justice is not simply
the result of awakened conscience,
Madam" My utterance was almost
breathless in his haste. My dear lady
gave a sharp, quick cry, that was al
most a sob.
'Oh, mol Oh, no-nor' she returned.
'The result OF awakened love, Doro-
thy! o Father In Heaven, restore to
me the heart OF my boyr'
turned then, and sped from the
room. / had no longer a right there.
In the hall 1 met DR.. Spencer, and to
him made full confession OF my
guilt. ] was obliged to acknowledge