The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1900-08-14

head pertly, While her eyes, sparkling
through their moisture, made her look
like pretty spoiled child. Yet she
claimed to be wife.
81 promise not to repeat what YOU
have told me. but only on condition
that you tell me more" said Mr..
Mitchell
Tell you more?" exclaimed Lillian,
again alarmed.
YES You must tell me why you do
not wish me to speak of your mar
riage to Matthew Crane
"Oh. no! | can't tell you that"
Very well. Then l cannot promise
to keep it secret"
"Well then" said Lillian in despera-
ton, 'the reason is because"-she hung
her head and lowered her voice as she
completed her sentence, and the hot
blood surged to her face, mantling it in
blush which extended to the tips of
her ears-"because we're not mar
ried.' She paused for just mo.
ment. Then, with uplifted eyes, light
ed up with beam of hopefulness that
was piteous in its trustfulness. She
added:
"E''t we are going to be-"
Poor child. Poor stray lamb" said
Mr. Mitchell, laying his hand reverent-
ly on the girls head and gazing into
her dark eyes. wherein he saw reflect
ed naught but innocence.
IF ever sin was guiltless, it is here
in the heart of this child" he thought.
then added aloud
Il want to have a talk with YOU my
girl a long, long talk Let us ride on
the elevated railroad and have our
chat"
You don't mean me any harm?v she
asked doubtfully.
Harm. No. indeed. my girl! l
only wish to be a friend to YOU. |
would not harm hair of your head.
Will you Gomez"
He extended his hand, and she look
ed at him a full minute hesitatingly.
Then, with a sudden impulse. she
placed her pretty soft hand in his and
exclaimed:
Yes, I'll risk it. I'll go with you"
They were soon comfortably seated
in Harlem train, in one of the double
seats in the first car, which is usually
the least crowded.
''Now, then" began Mr.. Mitchell,
tell me all about it,"
''All about what?" asked Lillian.
"About how you happened to be
Mrs. Matthew Crane without being
married."
She blushed again and looked out of
the window. Mr. Mitchell did not press
his question. but was content to let
her decide for herself. But he had re-
tanned her handkerchief. with which he
was toying. twisting it about his fin
gers, and now he noted something
which aroused his curiosity There
was bit of embroidery in the corner.
a tiny spray of lily of the valley. Mr..
Mitchell glanced from the handkerchief
to the girl beside him. Could it be- or
was this merely a condolences? She
called herself "The Lily of the Valley"
Therefore it was natural that she
Should so mark a handkerchief But,
then, was it probable that any other
person would do the same and that
this other was the mother of the in
FAINT?
Il don't know why l should tell you
my story" ut last she said, turning
frankly toward him, yet something
tells me to do it. The fact is | haven't
been very happy lately, and I've want
ed somebody to talk to about it all,
somebody that wouldn't blame me too
much and wouldn't scold, but would
just help me- But there wasn't any
body like that Once on a time would
have gone to mum, but these days she's
mostly full of gin. and you couldn't
look for sympathy in gin bottle, could
you, now?"
AS she talked she gradually regained
her composure, and there was merry
twinkle in her eyes as she asked the
question.
why no, of course not" said Mr..
Mitchell quite seriously. But then, you
know, never take gin. Honor brightw
He talked to her as schoolboy
might have talked to schoolgirl, his
very information inviting friendship and
confidence, both of which she gave him
readily.
why, l never thought of you that
way. | was talking of num- she said.
"1ou was in luck to find her sober to-
day, and you'll be luckier still if she's
able to meet you tomorrow. But this
amt telling you my story, is it?"
mo, it is not"
"Where'll | begin?"
eat the beginning"
"Well, then, once upon q time was
born" She began with light laugh,
which was instantly checked when Mr..
Mitchell interrupted, asking:
when and where was that?"
1.-THE Lord only knows" she answer
ed, land he won't tell; leastways he's
never let on to me- I've tried hard
enough to find out, too but | never
could. think mum knows little, but
she's close about it, All l could ever
get out of her was, Your folks didn't
care enough to keep you, so you
needn't bother your head about
them.'"
$50 you have never known your ia
| Their or yOl)r moi harp