The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-01-14
your life out in little while if it went

your life out in a little while If it went
1T was so dull-so dreary,', she muir
INJURED. and nobody wanted me, not
even you, I think, after little while
1 ought not to have married
No doubt it was a mistake, but in
Justice / must say that that was more
my fault than yours. I was years older
and I 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 go your way"
AS you yours"
AS NINE Something in the voice
made Denise move uneasiiy. For six
years the man and the child had lived
here together; her husband her child.
For six years she had nearly forgotten
both; not quite, though she had tried
to do So The man and the child had
been growing old ogether-without
love or happiness-while she had laugh
ed and sung. There was nothing young
in the house-not even the little form
she held IN her arms
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 taeit consent.
There is something I wish to say tC
you if you are at leisure he began.
I am quite at your service" she an
I
I asleep, and have nothing to do
1T is about him I wish to speak, he
said. as he sat down. He is almost
we'll again now"
He is very delicate STILL" she said
quickly. He needs a great deal of care
he could not stand much.'' Could ne
mean that they wanted her no longer2
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
roundings to what I can give him.
have wondered have wondered" he
repeated, IF you would like to take
him with you when you go %
Like to take hint" she echoed. her
face lighting up with joy. Need YOU
ask me2"
mo, perhaps not. I thought that you
seemed attached to him"
"Attached?'' she repeated again. with
a laugh Z love him with all my heart
I couldn't bear to be parted from him
now. But don't you mind2H looking at
him with inward resentment at his IN
without him2"
1T VIII be best for the child to he
with you for a 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. I
suppose your engagements will necessi :
tate your returning to town soon 2''
es. ought to have gone before, "
1 HuSniIS at MS evident anxiety 10 get ria
OF her. We will go as soon as the doc
| tor says he can travel" Then as he was
/ leaving the room II should like to
thank you very much for trusting me
4 for letting me have him
There is no need. have been think
/ ing it over and it seemed 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 bitterly.
he hot n
1 now? Once upon a time" the rose color
/ in her cheeks growing deeper, Z am
sure he cared for me more than a little
| in his curious restrained way
Tt was still early when she went up
| stairs to bed, but she was tired of her
own company. AS she lit the candles
the boy opened his eyes-he slept in q
little bed in her room now-and called
to her.
It am not bit sleepy. Come and talk
to me, mother" he said. She sat down
in the low chair and laid her head on
his pillow. as he liked to have her.
I've got something to tell you, sweet
heart" she said, tucking one of his
hands under her cheek. What do you
think has haDpened2 You are to CONS
with me to my mothers home How
A wiser and more prudent mother
would have hesitated to excite the chic
| at that hour but Denise was d creature
Of impulse.
Go away with you and see all the
beautiful things you have told me
about? Do you really mean it. mother:
How loyelyf' sDringing up in bed with
shining eyes. And is father coming
toos"
Father does not want to come, dar-
ling. The childish face grew grave
1T viii be dull for father all alone
here. he said, seriously. You ask hin
TO come. mother. he'll come for you
Not for me-for me perhaps least ri
all she murmured. forgetting that she
was wiser than his years.
Go. now. mother" he said coaxing-
". Try Il Wait, III tell you q
secret it can't be wrong to tell you
Father keeps a picture of you LOCKED
up. and I saw him looking at it one
night, and-and' in an awed whisper
he kissed it before he put it away
People must love a person very much tC
kiss their picture, mustn't they
mother?" Kisses had been rare luxuries
in his life.
) !, Kissed my picture? Are you sure. lit
) tie Michael" The child nodded, watch
ing her intensely. Denise thought Of
how she was going to make the desolatt
home more desolate, and the tears rushed
. to her eyes.
l I'll try, my sonny-I1l try for yofu
sake. she cried. and she went from tEt
room. Her heart was beating fast witt
fear and excitement as she hurried dowT
the stairs before her courage failed her
: What II he should be angry: what if hi
should repulse herr She shivered at TIN
< She softly opened the library door. wher,
r he was in the babit of sitting at night