The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1901-09-27


ed wretch as l am and tried to make a
man of him. She has never once re-
preached me, never once lost faith that
l will yet be man. Her husband,
modest ladies, knows all about my
coming. The birdcage was not hung
out to inform me that he was not at
home, but that none Of her kindly in
terested neighbors was making an aft
ernoon visit. Since you have known of
my visits for six months l am almost
stunned with wonder that you did not
drop in before. l marvel, in fact, that
you did not take up your bed and board
in this unhappy home. Your delicate
self repression fills me with admira-
tion."
He paused for a second, in absolute
need of breath. When he spoke again,
glance at his sisters face, which
showed signs of deep suffering, had
changed his look and tone. "Well," he
said deliberately, "you have invaded
the sacredness of my sisters home.
You have wormed out her sorrowful
secrets. You have tried to estrange
her husband from her. You have
bounded down guilty, repentant
wretch who had nothing left but to be
near his mother and sister, whose lives
he had ruined and who must now start
out again on his lonely wandering with
no place in which to lay his head. You
belong to the church. You call your
selves Christians. Are these the things
Christ taught you to do? Are these
Hey, heyw cried the old creature on
the bed. whats all this fuss about?"
She peered at them with dreadful eyes.
The pupils were like little blue black
bullets. why don't you give 'em a
cheer? They don't look like ladies, but
give 'em cheer anyhow"
'And now" concluded the young
man, walking to the door of the inner
room and throwing it open, my SIS
ter's husband will say a few words to
you. and then we will regretfully per-
NIT you to DEPART
When the three women became con-
vinced that it was really Mr.. Mayhem
who was entering, their faces were
things to behold and remember. Mrs.
Frazer confessed afterward that she
had ''giddy feelin, as if she'd let all
hollis CO." The very carpet itself went
up and down in waves under her. Mrs.
Dean shrank back against the wall for
support. Mrs. Hostetter's fine fighting
feathers dropped, but she stood her
ground bravely.
Mr.. Mayhem advanced and stood be-
side his wife. He was pale and worn
looking. He spoke in quiet, even tones.
II have heard all that my wife said,
although she did not mean for me to
hear it. and l am glad She spoke the
truth. / have been jealous of her de-
votion to her mother. 1t made me mis-
cradle, and In turn made her miser-
able by my hardness and GOODNESS. I'm
til this hour | have been unable to ap-
preciate the unselfishness and nobility
of her character. Her brother. too. has
spoken the truth. The letter which one
OF you must have been so kind as to
write me made me feel more bitter to-
ward my wife for having placed us
both in false positions. l brooded over
IL HlllOut icl. Dut,
that sooner or later the author of the
letter would make the visit of investi-
cation which you are now doing us the
honor to make, 1 have remained at
home every Tuesday and Friday since
to protect my wife when she needed
me. My wife"-without looking at her
he reached out for her hand, which she
gave him quickly and silently, drawing
nearer to hints woman who will
let me atone and make her so happy
that she will forgive me. Henceforth l
shall bear her burdens and help her to
do her duty. Now you know all. And
now, as you have gratitied your curios-
ity in what you are probably pleased to
consider a truly Christian manner and
spirit, we shall be glad to be left alone
to bear as best we may the bitterness
and the humiliation which you have
heaped upon u.s."
They got themselves out of the house
somehow. Their faces were of dull
red. Their breathing was somewhat
hurried. "If 1 ever in all my born
daysw said Mrs. Dean. She cast baf-
fed look up at the birdcage as she
passed. 81 declare most wish to mer-
cy we hadn't gone"
81 don't believe a word of it," cried
out Mrs. Frazer, lifting her dress high
on both sides. "There's somethin ago
in ON. The brass of 'em-a-tellin story
like that to our faces! l guess we'd
better not breathe it to a SOUL"
breathe itr' said Mrs. Hostetter in a
deep voice. She was walking on ahead,
leading the retreat with great high
steps, even though her skirts were trail
ing a little. 'I'll tell it to the length
and breadth of this hull town."