Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-01-08

and there had been left incomplete.
"Oh, you poor little SOUL" she cried,
a sob in her voice, and the next mo-
ment her arms were over the bed,
and the little figure was gathered
to her breast, where she crooned
over it, calling her baby, her little
Michael, whom she had treated so
badly, reproaching herself and show
ering kisses on the wan face in the
same breath.
He is very weak; you must not
excite him." a warning voice said.
She had forgotten that anyone was
there, and the calm, measured tones
were like a rebuff. The old feeling
of restraint and fear held her back
for a moment, but the mother-love,
which had woke up for the first time
at sight of the forlorn, suffering
child, rose stronger than anything
else.
Il shall not hurt him." she said,
holding the boy close to her breast.
"See, he is already more content"
The little face certainly looked less
tired and troubled, and one wasted
arm had gone up around her neck,
while he made himself at home as "a
matter of course in those unknown
arms.
HAS he been long like this?" she
asked. you ought to have told me
before"
HE was never strong, as you may
remember" he answered coldly. HE
does not take after my family; he
pines for warmth and sunshine, as
you did. I must remind you that you
have never given me reason to think
you took any particular interest in
him. | was not az all certain that
you would come now"
"Not comet" she exclaimed. Then
she remembered. Il beg your par
don," she said, humbly; "you are
quite right. 1t is I who am to blame
I who am in the wrong. But-but,"
her voice growing husky, 81 did not
know he wanted me so badly. I was
so young when 1 went away-I am
not very old now-and 1 did not I'M
derstand many things. Perhaps if
you had reasoned with me-if you
had pointed out"
"Do you think I wanted a captive
instead of a wife," he asked, harsh
ly. Il saw how you fretted and pinned
like a Gagged creature; I saw the hunt
ed look in your eyes; I knew you
would wear your life out in a little
while if it went on"
sit was so dull-so dreary," she
murmured, ''and nobody wanted me,
not even you, I think, after a little
while. I interrupted your studies; l
we. restless and disturbed your rou-
tine, so when my legacy came it
seemed to open a way of escape. I
thought it was better for us to 60
our w road before we learned to
hate each other. l had a gift, only
one, but it would not let me rest un-
til l had tried what it was worth. I
ought not to have married"
"No doubt it was a mistake, but in
justice l must say that that was
more my fault than yours. l was
years older, 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 go your W way"
AS you yours"
"As [ mine" Something in the
voice made Denise move ~uneasily.
For six years the mar and the child
had lived here together; her hus-
band, her child. For six years she
had nearly forgotten them both; not
quite, though she had tried to do so.
The man and the child had been
growing older together-without 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.
A week had passed, and little
Michael, thanks Gas the doctor plain
ly said) to his mothers devoted
nursing and the interest she created
in the child's mind, was picking up
his frail life again. He was never
tired of looking at her, or admiring
all the pretty things that gathered
about her as a matter of course; he
had never eel so many flowers, so
much dainty luxury in his brief ex-
~istence.
"You use these every day?" he
asked in an awed voice, as he amused
himself with the silver pots and bot
ties on her dressing table.
Eyes, every day." she said with a
gay little laugh. EDO you think I
am very extravaganza"
Father hasn't anything pretty in
his room, I like to be here best" he
said, lying back l%uxuriously among
the bright cushions which his mother
had ordered from the neighboring
town. She opened her lips to speak,
but closed them again without a
word.
Denise was sitting alone one even
ing i'll 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 con-
sent.
There is something I wish to say
to you If you + at LEISURE" he be-
gan. She thought how worn and
gray he looked, though he was a man
the prime of life, as he stood be-