The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-08-24

love, and l love her too. We have al
ways been so much to each other. No,
no! cannot go! Mother would die,
and then should reproach myself for.
ever. A wife like that would be bur
den to any man. So cannot go. The
dream is over"
But she fell to dreaming again, and
the burden of her dream was her love
for Matthew Mora.
They had sat down to dine later than
usual, and, though the dessert was just
brought on, both women were relieved
to have their thoughts diverted by the
sound of the bell. The butler announc-
ed Mr.. and Mrs. Mitchell, and they
went to greet their guests.
"We are so glad to have you comet"
exclaimed Mrs. Van Cortlandt, extend
ing both hands in cordial welcome to
Mrs. Mitchell. II hope this is presage
of closer intimacy between our fami-
lies"
Indeed I hope so," said Mrs. Mitch
ell. "You know our Rose is soon to
make her debut in society, and after
that eventful occasion we shall be
obliged to receive more than in the
past. But during her childhood we
have lived rather quietly"
my wife has felt the responsibility
of rearing young girl to be heavy
burden" said Mr.. Mitchell, laughing.
"She says that she will regain her
freedom after the child is fairly
launched"
eyes, indeed WILL" said Mrs. Mitch
ell "Of course you know, Mrs. Van
Cortlandt, that Rose is not our own
I child. That makes great difference,
don't you think? One may do as one
pleases with her own, but to have the
care of another woman's child, to won
der always whether you are doing as
well as the real mother would have.
done, makes the responsibility seem all
the greater. But, then, you can hard
+! ~ be a judge of that, you who have
| been blessed with daughter of your
own. And such daughter!" She add
ed the last words turning graciously
i toward Perdita and smiling admiring-
\ ly upon her. Q
| Mrs. Van Cortlandt WINGED a little at
these words, but showed nothing by
| her countenance, which had been
schooled for many years to guard her
secret. Before she could reply serv-
ant entered and announced Colonel
| Payton, at which Mrs. Van Cortlandt
rose to receive him, at the same time
wondering that he of all men should
come on this night. What mystic con-
nection could there be between her
i thoughts of him and his arrival? She
dared not venture reply, even to her.
self.
| The colonel entered with dignif1ed
ease and sell command, such as would
be expected from the man Of the
/ world and the soldier that he was.
! Nothing in his manner betrayed that
call, nor was there anything in the
greeting between him and Mr.. Mitchell
from which one might have suspected
that they had seen each other before
on that day.
Advancing toward Mrs. Van Cort-
landt, he bowed low as he said:
My dear friend, hope you will par
don me for having remained away.
from you for so long. It is almost a
month, fear"
"Five weeks, colonel" said the lady,
laughing. Il fear time goes lightly
with you in your world of business and
!, pleasure. We two women, alone in a
great house like this night after night,
keep better reckoning of the visits of
our friends do we not, Perdita?"
I The colonel was charmed to find that
In the chronology of her heart she had
noted the fight of time between his
visits.
eyes, indeed, mother" said Perdita,
advancing. I'VE always miss you,
colonel, when you remain away from
us for long time"
$50, then, you, too, like to have me
come" The colonel's voice trembled
little, and it was with an effort that he
controlled himself He admired the
girls marvellous beauty, and he won
dered that he had taken so little cog
nizance of it hitherto.
"Ah, yes! Indeed we do like to have
i you here. Your interesting stories al
ways make the evening seem shorter"
SOs ID lllC CO1OACl IOAduCeEs
asked Mr.. Mitchell.
!. All had taken seats again, Mrs.
Mitchell having drawn Perdita to a
seat beside her on the sofa. She felt
great pity in her heart for this love
ly girl, who was but child, for the
relations which existed between her
self and her husband We're such that
she always knew all of his affairs. In
this one she had taken especial interest
from the beginning because Of the Incl
dent of the abandoned baby. She was
well aware, therefore, of her husbands
object in visiting the Van Cortlandts,
and indeed her own part had been as
signed to her.
'Oh, the colonel tells the most won
derful stories!' said Perdita, replying
to Mr.. Mitchell.
''Why, then, colonel. have learned
this so late that l cannot let another
hour pass without hearing one of your
narratives" Mr.. Mitchell laughed pleas
ant1y &c no Spol.o M ono 1uo,,Id ho x,<,