Daily camera., 1901-05-31

bid devotion to her child's W0f div
advancement. He spoke not Of love.
only of respect and duty-far hle her
than lovelof sacrifice. the highest
form Of love. On his own part the
desire to hnve his fortune accomplish
the highest good, the development. OF
human souls to their utmos. capacity,
and he could think Of no worthicr
subjects than herself and the bcauti-
full Alberta. And al could be easily
srranged. They could go quietly away
- good sanitarium selected--n life
term paid in advance. The divorce
courts of distant city and no ques-
ticns asked. The husband and father
must be happy in the thought OF his
sublime sacrifice-his years could be
few at best-but In the meantime to
child every year counted much.
"Do not answer me tonight" lie
said, as they drew up at the door Of
the mean little cottage where the
light from single cheap oil lamp
burned dimly; tomorrow at four
o'clock shall be near the south en-
trance Of the park; II you are pass
ing I will join you there. and you may
answer me-" .
She murmured q faint assent, and
Harmon Hale drove away feeling sure
that he had won.
The house was 30 still when she
entered that she could almost hear
the beating Of her own heart. With
. strange foreboding she entered the
bedroom. Her husband lay upon his
back, hands prone on the coverlet and
. horrible pailor on his face. His
half open eyes were unseeing. She
sprang forward, calling his name
sharply, but he did not stir. She
placed her ear to his lips, her fingers
upon lis pulse. There was faint
signing breath, a feeble hutter Of the
heart. Searching for a stimulant, her
eyes fell upon the morphine bottle.
1t was empty! In an instant the
hssty words she had flung him It
parting required to her, and she
knew what he had done. IL he died
she was no better than . murderer.
She forced . stimulant down his
throat, then ran to her nearest neigh.
Dor. reused him and sent for the doc
tor. She made strong coffee. poured
II between the lips. chafcd his hands.
put hot cloths upon his heart and all
the while prayed desperately: "Oh.
God! bring Lin back 10 me il only
for . moment! just long enough for
me to tell him how love him."
For in the moment of that awful
discovery she had become clothed and
in her right mind. She knew that he
was her first. her last. her best. her
only love-"for better. for worse, in
sickness and health. till death do US
part" Alberta stirred in her sleep
and spoke her name. For an instant
she almost hated the sound of her
voice. II had been her insane vanity
for her child that had done thi:.
deed. After what seemed to her ar
age Of suffering the doctor came. and
together they fought for that pre-
cious life and won.
~ u VI Ioui thC
noon Mrs. Reid said to her husband:
"The sunshine will do you good; let
us take little walk in the park. 1t
is not far--you can lean on me, and
We will rest tAere If you are tired.
Come, Alberta.
As they approached the south en-
trance they saw Harmon Hale loung-
ing on . bench close to the walk.
Mrs. Reid drew ner husband closer to
her side and raised her voice just
trifie as they passed him, but did not
look his way.
II shall never leave you alone
again, Oscar. As for the club, ! have
done with IT, The members are
set OF iserable sophists. who wou-L
trample every holy sentiment of the
heart under foot in the name OF
progress!"
Hush. dear. is not that Mr.. Hale?
He will hear you. He IL q member Of
Il. club, Is he not?"
Harmon Hale had heard and was
answered. As for Oscar Reid. he never
knew OF that memorable drive from
the club.