The Elbert County tribune., 1902-06-19


ly upon him. he mrst Rave been fairly
overwhelmed.
1t was not his design that Fedora
should see any sign of weakness in his
manner. and he maintained the same
passionless exterior he had shown
through the whole interview.
Il promise nothing. Only this l
say. that your children have doubtless
saved you from fate that might have
come upon you. | do not reient. sim
ply change my tactics, and for their
sakes spare you that humiliation. that
shame. What further means of pun
lshment | may decide to invoke you
will know in good time. AS you sowed
so must you reap That is the law of
recompense. OF stern justice There
fore, weep over your wretched lot and
bitterly regret that false step in which
you were tempted by pride. | do not
dare remain here longer in your pres
ence. At least thank heaven that
have decided TO abandon the plan upon
which | was working as unworthy of
an honorable man.
You are going. Jack?'
Yes
Without seeing the children?r
pressing button while he was not
looking.
They remind me too bitterly of
what you. their unhappy mother.
seemed to me in the long ago-all in
nocence and trusting love. No l don't
wish TO see them now"
"0h. Jack be reconciled-I shall pray
n a. hot 1.
sake of those little ones. Did you
know the boys name is Jaok?"
WHAT he gasped. weakening. DO
you mean to say your husband allowed
you to do that-and l the man you
loved? Incrediblei"
Il told him all, and 1t was he who
first proposed 1t. You don't know his
generous nature. | can see now what
1t was SO disturbed him-you took his
fire and freely gave him his forfeited
life Oh, wretched woman that | am
to have been loved by two such noble
men. and to have brought sorrow to
both. Who will deliver me from the
bondage of my sin?"
AS If In answer to her forlorn cry the
patter of little feet sounded some
where-the marquis. alarmed at his
own weakness, turned to fy but made
a mlscalculation. for in the hall he was
waylaid by the enemy. who rushed
upon him with exultant cries.
He made a swoop for the little girl
and swept her up in his arms. until her
golden curls nestled against his shoul-
der when he kissed her pouting lips
again and again.
Then came the boy, to whom he had
paid so little attention before. Now he
held him OFF at arms length, where he
could look into his resolute face and
bold black eyes-yes, he was surely the
image of what Livermore must have
been as lad. and yet, and yet, strange
to say. the marquis actually believed
he could see some traces of his own
characteristics in the boy--learned
philosophical and psychological schol-
ars and doctors have long argued this
point. and agreed that ii is not only
possible. but actnal-the image of her
first love still remained strong in Fe-
dora's heart at the time the child was
born.
Kissing the youngster. the marquis
hastily quilted the house. followed by
the anxious gaze of the wretched Fe-
dora. until the children, astonished at
the strange actions of their friend,
loudly bewailed his flight. and demand
ed her attention.
Weep no more tears of repentance
and fear, wife and mother. since the
seed has been sown and the harvest
must come in due season-that name
of Jack, together with the captains
generosity. proved the last straw that
broke the camel's back.