Smyrna times., 1903-08-12


still held in her hands the great bou-
quet of rOses-her favorite flower
which had been given her as she left
the platform. She was recalled to her
surroundings by the voice of her maid
FanchiOn.
''There is telegram for madame on
the table," she said. Denise picked it
up; it was addressed to Mrs. Flelden,
which was unusual. She was known
to the London world and her friends
as Madame Elena" She opened it
sharply. 1t was brief and to the point.
I think it is right to let you know
that the boy is seriously ill.
MICHAEL.
UncOnsciously she crushed the mes
sage in her hands, and her thoughts
flew to the Lincolnshire village where
it had been written.
Bring me an "A, B, c., and pack a
bag. am going into the country"
81 wonder if he is really very ill?"
she pondered, as she sat IN the train.
81 think Michael would scarcely have
sent for me unless he were. The
meeting will be awkward and uncom-
Portable for him as for me. Poor little
Michael-what a name to give child
I wonder what he is like now? He
was not pretty or interesting child.
I remember he was always crying"
After drive of nearly an hour she
recognized a familiar gateway; she
remembered the oud coat of arms cut
in the stone work, though she could
not see it now, with the motto 81
live! 1 die
master is upstairs" old Hannah
said distantly, in reply to Denise's
greeting.
81 will go up at once. if may" and
before Hannah could raise any obiec-
tion she was half way up the stairs.
What great room it was! AND how
solitary those two figures looked in it..
81 am sorry to trouble you," the
man said, getting up as she moved.
1 am afraid you have had long tired
Journey, but thought you ought to
know"
ooh, you poor little SOUL" she
cried, sob IN her voice, and the next
moment her arms were over the bed,
and the little figure was gathered to
/ her breast, where she crooned over it,
calling him her baby, her little Michael
whom she had treated so badly, re
preaching herself and showering sof
kisses on the wan face in the same
breath.
HE is very weak; you must not ex
cite him." warning voice said.
81 shall not hurt him." she said
holding the boy close to her breast.
"See, he is already more content.
The little face certainly looked les
tired and troubled, and one wasted
arm had gone up around her neck
while he made himself at home as
matter of course in those unknown
arms.
HAS he been long like this?" sh
asked. ''You ought to have told m
before"
He was never strong, as you ma.
Remember" he said coldly. "H,
pines for warmth and sunshine, as yO
did. 1 must remind you that you hav
never given me reason to think yo
took any particular interest in him
was not at all certain you would com
now."
''Not come!" she exclaimed. The
ehe remembered. 81 beg your pal
don," she said humbly; you are quit
hight. It is I who am to blame
who am wrong. But-bnt," her voic
grew husky, 81 did not know he want
ed me so badly. I was so young whe
went aWay-I am not very old now
nnd 1 did not understand many things
Perhaps if you had reasoned with m
IL you had pointed out"
''Do you think 1 wanted a capti7
instead of a wife?" he asked harshl
4 saw you fretted and pined like
caged creature; 1 saw the hunted loo
in your eyes; knew you would wei
Your life out in a little while if it we
on. F"
cit was so dull-so dreary," 81
nurmured ''and nobody wanted m
bot even you think, after while.
pught not to have married. +"
"No doubt it was a mistake, but
iustice must say that that was me
NY fault than yours. was yes
older than you and 1 took advanta
of your youth and ignorance to fast
bond on you of which you did 1
Understand the import. No doubt y
knew yourself best. You have the
pat suits you; you were free to
vour own way"
AS for yours"
As L mine. Something in the vol
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