Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-27

She held up the babe to be handled, her
own face to be kissed. How could any man
resist that mute appeal, that adoring
glance. He was come-Kate's universe was
full.
as he not lovely? Kiss him, Rupert!"
she cried, c~lapping her hands to see him
hold the child-gingerly as II he would
break.
Come and sit by me, Rupert" she said.
Il am strong. See, / can hold him myself.
You think he will tire me. Well, you shall
have him to hold for five minutes, no more.
Their you must give him back to me. He
is SO precious, you know-that mis- mother
cannot do without him-no, not for a min
ute. But she will lend him to you while
she counts a h~undred-because you are his
father, but to no one else in all the world"
Rupert had perforce to sit beside his
wife, and, knowing that / was watching
him, he put a strong constraint upon him
self, and began to talk with some appear
ance OF goodwill-of the beauty Of the babe,
Of his own unfortunate accident, Of the
slowness Of Warmers cure, and especially
OF the terrible straits to which, II relief
did not come soon, they. would be put for
money.
All the time, however, l could see Mr..
Rupert growing perceptibly uneasy. He
wished to have an interview with his wife
alone. In order, as l anticipated, that he
might be able to get her consent to some
arrangement advantageous to her, to
which he knew l would never give in. His
continual references to the family dificul-
ties pointed that way. Al also the numer-
Gus errands which he invented in order to
get me out of the room. He put the mat
ter more boldly when next he spoke.
"Mademoiselle." he said. will you per-
mit me to have a few minutes private con-
versation alone with my wife? have
something to say to her which concerns
herself and our future"
Kate raised her head from the babe. in
surprise at his tone.
NO" / said firmly, settling myself to
my sewing. 81 will not leave the room.
Enough mischief has been done already by
Kate and you having secrets from me. I
have given up enough and suffered enough
to give me a right to share in any plans
you may form for my sister or her child.
She is still weak and. l consider, in my
charge. so long, that is. as you cannot or
Will not give her her proper position In
the world as your wife. So say wha you
have to say in my presence, II you please,
Mr.. Rupert Glendonwyn!"
This Is past bearingi" he cried, ~leapIng
to his feet, Have you forgotten that you
are In this house on suferance? You came
here without being asked-you stay here
against our willard yet you will not per-
init me to speak for nve minutes alone with
my wtfe!"
Very likely. it Is all true" | said. very
calmly, the last accusation certainly is.
What you have to say TO Kate you must say
also to me. unless you propose to call Ha-
mish up and carry me Town stairs between
youl"
Al this he tried another tack.
"Mademoiselle, he said, softly land when
he chose no one had a softer voice or a
more winning way with him tha Mr.. Ru-
peril. when people love one another
they do not always wish to show it before
all the world"
'oh. as to that" said /, II will sit by
the window and turn my back-I will shut
my eyes, but not my eArsi"
WhereupOn Kate laughed aloud with per-
feet unconcern and joyousness.
why, will kiss you. Rupert" she said.
before Fairlie or anybody. Who, indeed.
has a better rightf"
And drawing his face down between her
two palms. she kissed him. smiling and
noddins over 70 me with = kind Of triumph