The Grit-advocate., 1903-05-29

voicr in the shape of the curl-clus.
tered head caused the stranger to put
out OBTAINING hand.
what" he cried, lis your name, lit
tie oue?"
"ROsne!' She wrested herself
free, Let me go with Billie. My
name Rosine-Rosine Raymond"
Then she was dashing down the
hill after the fortunate Billie.
The man, tall, straight, and soldier
ly, with prematurely silvered hair and
dark mustache, went striding across
the green space that intervened be-
tween him and that quiet woman by
the white shaft.
Jean" he cried hoarsely. Jean
Chartcris,"
A low. shivering cry broke from
the woman. She stiffened erect
stood as if frozen.
"Teil me" he begged. about that
that child. She says her name is
Jean. is She"
The shock of his coming had left
her weak and shaking. 1t was with
an effort she spoke.
"Yes-she is your child. Do you
learn it now for the first time?"
God help me-yes. did not dream
there might be a child. When a few
months after our marriage l learned
how Rose had deceived me | was furi.
ous. had confided in her. l told her
how | loved you. And she-she spoke
Of your engagement to will Clement.
Her sympathy was sweet. There was
no question of heart being caught in
the rebound Never save for one
woman has my heart beaten a pulse
the faster She knew this when we
We're married. But she hoped-until
the day some months after our mar
rage when a chance word during
chance meeting with Clement, brought
the whole truth out. You had refused
him. And this Rose knew when she
told me the contrary. settled every
thing l possessed on her and went
away, vowing never to look upon her
face again."
The weary. bitter voice ceased.
We shall speak of this now" said
Jean Charters, slowly. 'and then
never again. The bank in which you
had deposited was the same WHICH
controlled my fathers business. When
the defalCation came Roses money
and ours was sucked down in the
whirlpool. Father did not long sur
Nve the blow. Rose could do nothing
She had been brought up in idleness-
in luxury Besides she was ill-and
nserably unhappy. Sol was always
clever as scamstress-shec came to
m and we were comfortable-qaite
comfortable together. Two years ago
a sharp attack of pneumonia ended
all Rosine was then A.
You took her into your nome and
your life," said the man in voice that
though low-shOok with passion.
"You supported her and her child! If
you had known her treachery--
"Iiush!" The soft word was i'm
perious. She pointed to the flower
struwn mound below. Hush. She is
here Besides did know.'
You knew it? When-how?'
The day you went away. Rose
came to me. she told me-the truth
The last gleam Of sunset had faded.
Aucthystine shadows crept up the
draws. But in the clear afterglow
they saw each other quite distinctly
the two who stood in silence there.
Wen he spoke it was in voice that
thr led her-the voice Of the lover OF
her youth.
Iean-will you come to me-now!
She answered: First say to her, |
for-Iye you, dcar."
For an instant he stood irrcsoIute.
Thtn slowly he sank on one knee
bow ID his barred head over the masses
OF rtrfumed bloom. When he rose and
held out his hand she laid her own
within it, and thus they walked to the
gat. and down the road toward the
village, where the lights we're begin
min 10 CLEAN.
You are tired" he said, and slip
ped his arm around her. Il have
mad a new fortune in new world,
Jcar You shall work no more,
Rlsine and Billie were feasting mer-
rily in the cottage when the two
turn ID in at the garden gate.
ITO think said Jean, as they went
up etwiXt the low barherry borders
dew silvered in the moonlight, that
it was only this morning walked here
-al0ne-and so sad-save for the
child"
"Ah, the child." he said, softly