The White Pine news. [volume] (Treasure City, Nev.) 1868-1906, 1903-04-23
. HE had just returned from the

| she haQ enJOyeu Neiiihpie
triumph. Her face was flushed aud
smiling. and she still held In her hands
the great bouquet of roses--her favor
ite fiower-which had been given her
as she left the platform. She was re-
called to her surroundings by the voice
of her maid, Fanchion.
"There is a telegram for madame on
the table," she said Denise picked IL
up; ii was addressed 10 Mrs. t. !aai,,
which was unusual She was known
to the London world and her friends as
Madame Elena" She opened 1t
sharply. Ii was brief and to the point.
Il think 1t Is right to let you know
that the boy is seriously III.
MICHAEL"
Unconsclously she crushed the mes
sage in her hand. and her thoughts
new to the Lincolnshire village where
IT had been written.
Bring me an "A, b, c. and pack II
bag. | am going into the country
II wonder Is he is really very lllf'
she pondered, as she sat In the train.
II think Michael would scarcely have
sent for me unless he were. The meet
Ing Will be awkward and uncomfortable
for him as for me. Poor little Michael,
what name to give a chlid!-I won
der what he is like nowi He was not
pretty or interesting child. remem.
Der he WAS always crying"
After drive OF nearly an hour she
recognized familiar gateway; she re-
membered the old coat-of-arms cut In
the stonework, though she could not
see 1t now. with the motto. Il liyel |
diel'
Master is upstairs" old Hannah said
dlstantly, In reply to Denlse's greeting
Il will go up at once II | may" and
before Hannah could raise any obJec-
ton she was half way up the stairs.
What great room II was! And how
solitary those two figures looked In
IT.
II am sorry TO trouble you" the man
said, getting up as she moved. II am
afraid you have had long, tired jour
ney: but thought you ought to know"
"oh, you poor little SOUR she cried. a
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 II. calling him
her baby, her little Michael, who she
had treated so badly, approaching her.
self and showering soft kisses on the
wan face In the same breath.
He Is very weak; you must not ex-
cite him." warning voice said.
Il shall not hurt him. she said, hold.
Ing 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 bad gone
up around her neck. while he made him.
SELF at home as matter OF course In
those unknown arms
Has he been long like thisf" 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; be pines
for warmth and sunshine, as you did.
l must remind you that you have never
given me reason to think you took any
particular interest In him. | was not
at all certain you would come now"
Not conner she exclaimed. Then she
remembered. II beg your pardon" abe
said humbly; you are quite right. II
Is | who am to blame-l who am In
the wrong. But-but," her voice grow
Ing husky, Il did not know he wanted
me so badly. was so young when
went away am not very old now
and did not understand many things.
Perhaps II you had reasoned with me
If you had pointed out"
DO you think | wanted q captive
instead of wlfeT he asked barsbly.
Il saw you fretted and pined like a
Gagged creature, l saw the hunted look In
your eyes; knew you would wear your
life out In little while II 1t went on"
ut was SO dull-so dreary," she muir
INJURED, "and nobody wanted me, not
even you, think, after little while. I
ought not to have married"
mo doubt 1t was a mistake, but In
Justice | must say that that was more
my fault than yours. was years old
er and took advantage OF your youth
and ignorance to fasten q 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 own way"
AS you yours"
"As | mine" something In the voice
made Denise more uneasily. 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 rule she saw
very little of him; they seemed to avoid
each other by tacit consent.
There Is something wish to say to
you II you are at leisure" he began.
II am quite at your service" she an.
swered. Little Michael Is In bed and
asleep. and have nothing to do"
lit is about him I 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 great deal of care
--ha pould NOT NJ nd x,.,,oh a