The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-01-22

you did quite right" she said,
thiclIly. What pitiful, little shrunk-
en- form it was, looking almost lost
in the vast oak bedstead, of which it
was a tradition that each successive
Fielder should carve a panel, so that
it had always seemed to Denise a
weird resting place, belonging to the
dead rather than the living. She had
woke up more than once on a moon
light night fancying ghostly fingers
had come back to finish what here
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 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.
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 less
tired and troubled, and one wasted
arm had gone up around her neck
while he made himself at home as d
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
| lliill' NdS uOb at all certain JndJ
you would come now"
Not GOMEZ" she exclaimed. Then
she remembered. 81 beg your par
DON" she said, humbly; you are
quite right. 1t is ! 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. l was
so young when [ 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 Gagged creature; 1 saw the hunt
ed look in your eyes; 1 knew you
would wear your life out in a little
while if it went on"
at was so dull-so dreary," she
murmured, land nobody wanted me,
not even you, think, after little
while. l interrupted your studies; l
was restless and disturbed your rou-
tine, so when my legacy came it
seemed to open a way of escape. /
thought it was better for us to go
our own road before we learned to
hate each other. l had a gift, only
one, but it would not let me rest I'M
til | had tried what it was worth l
| ought not to have married"
NO doubt it was mistake, but in
justice | must say that that was
more my fault than yours. 1 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 own way"
AS you yours"
Gas L mine" Something in the
voice made Denise move uneasily
For six years the man 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 ogether-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 (as 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 seen 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.
"Yes, every day." she said with a
gay little laugh. "Do you think
am very extravaganza"
Father hasn't anything pretty in
his room, l like to be here best" he
said, lying back 1uxuriously among
the bright cushions which his mother
l. Il i L /