The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1903-07-16
MICHAEL

f IA ANAA NaNSF 4 AAAth a1A hNN+AN N-H
your life ont in a little If il went on
1t was so dull-so dreary." she muir
mured. and nobody wanted me. not
: even you, | think, after a little while.
interrupted your studies; was rest
lsss aid disturbed your routine, so when
ny legacy came II seemed 10 open a
way Of escape. | thought il was bet
ter fer US 10 so our own road before
We learned 10 hate each other. | had
gift. only one. but II would not let
ne rest until | had tried what Il was
worth. | ought not to have married.
No doubt Il was a mistake, but in
justice | must say that that was more
my fault than yours. was years old
or. and took advantage Of your youth
and ignorance TO fasten a bond on You
Of which you did not understand the
import. No doubt you knew yourself
best You have the life that suits you;
you were free to 80 your own way"
As you yours"
As mine" Something in the voice
made Denise move uneasily. For six
years the man ana the child had lived
here together; her husband, her child.
For six years she had nearly forgotten
+ them both; not quite though she had
tried 10 do so. The man and the child
/ had been growing old together-with-
out love or happiness while she had
+ laughed and sung. There was nothing
young in the house-not even the little
/ form she held in her arms.
4 week had passed, and little Michael,
I thinks las the doctor plainly said to his
mothers devoted nursing and the in
terest she created in the child's mind,
was picking up his frail lie again. He
WAS never tired of looking ut her, or
| admiring all the pretty things that gath
cred about her as a matter Of course;
he had never seen so many flowers. so
much dainty luxury In his brief exist
ence.
You use these every day." he asked
in an awed voice, as he amused himself
with the silver pots and bottles on her
dressing table.
Yes, every day." she said with a gay
little laugh. do you think | am very
extravaganza"
Father hasn't anything pretty In his
room, | like to be here best" he said,
lying back luxurlously among the
bright cushions which his mother had
ordered from the neighborlng town. She
opened her lips to speak. but closed
them again without word.
Denise was sitting alone one evening
In the faded drawing-room when her
husband came In. As a rule she saw
very little of him; they seemed TO avoid
each other by tactic consent.
There is something | wish to say to
you when you are at leisure" he began.
She thought how worn and gray he
looked, though he was a man in the
prime of life, as he stood before her, the
hard light from the setting sun show
ing up the lines on his cold, stern face,
as it showed up the patches of damp
ON the wall paper and the unloyellness
OF the beautifully designed room. He
and it both seemed thrown away under
/ their present circumstances.
Il am quite at your service she an
/ swered. Little Michael is In bed and
asleep, and have nothing to do"
1T is about him l wish to speak," he
said as he sat down. He is almost
well again now"
"He is very delicate STILL" she said
/ quickly. HE needs a great deal of care
he could not stand much" Could he
mean that they wanted her no longer?
she asked herself with thrill of fear.
"As you say, he needs a great deal of
care" he answered slowly. He also
needs more comfort and different sur
roundlngs to what / can give him.
have wondered have wondered" he
repeated. IF you would like to take
him with you when You goY"
Like to take hlmf' she echoed, her
face lighting up with joy. Need you
ask mel"
NO, perhaps not l have thought that
you seemed attached TO him."
"Attachedf" she repeated again with
a laugh. 81 love him with all my heart.
I couldn't bear to be parted from him
now. But don't you mlnd?" looking at
him with inward resentment at his In
difference. Wont you be very lonely
without hmI'
1T Will be best for the child to be
with you for time at least. think, as
you are willing TO have him. As You
say, he Is not strong enough to stand
any shock, and he would miss you. |
suppose your engagements will necessl-
tate your returning to town soon?"
Eyes, | ought to have gone before. "
flushing at his evidently anxlenty TO get
e rid of her. 1--WE will go as soon as the
, doctor says he can travel" Then as he
e was leaving the room, Il should like
I to thank you very much for trusting me
I for letting me have him"
+ There is no need. have been think.
!, ing II over and it seems best for the
: boy" he answered, as he closed the
door
/ 'of course there would be no thought
:, of me In it," she said to herself bitter
e ly. Il wonder why he hates me SO
d much now? Once upon a time" the
e rose color In her cheeks growing deep.
! er, Il am sure he cared for me more
n than little In his curious restrained
way"
e 1t was still early when she went up
e stairs to bed, but she was tired of hei
own company. As she lit the candles
p the boy opened his eyes-he slept in g
e little bed in her room now-and callet
IS to her.
I'm not bit sleepy. Come and tall