Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1903-03-21
3 HE had just returned from the


lite fower-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 telegram for madame on
the table," she said. Denise picked #
up; it was addressed to Mrs. Fielden. >"
which was unusual. She was known
to the London world and her friends as
Madame Elena" She opened If
sharply. 1t was brief and to the point.
Il think it is right to let you know
that the boy is seriously ill.,
MICHAEL"
UnconsciouSly she crushed the mes
sage in her hand, and her thoughts
flew to the Lincolnshire village where
it had been written.
Bring me an "A, b, c. and pack n
bag. l am going into the country"
Il wonder is he is really very ill?"
she pondered, as she sat in the train.
Il 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 a name to give a child.-I Won
der what he is like now? He was not
pretty or interesting child. l remem-
Der he was always crying"
After a 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 live! |
.diew
Master is upstairs" old Hannah said
'distantly, in reply to Denise's greeting.
Il VIII go up at once if l may" and
before Hannah could raise any objec-
ton she was half way up the stairs.
What a great room it was. And how
solitary those two figures looked in
It!
I 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 sOul!" 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 it, calling him
her baby, her little Michael who she
had treated so badly, reproaching her
self and shOwering soft kisses on the
wan face in the same breath.
He is very weak; you must not ex-
cite him" a 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
up around her neck, while he made him
self at home as Il 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
at all certain you would come now"
Not Gomez she exclaimed. Then she
remembered. Il beg your pardon" she
said humbly; you are quite right. 1t
is | who am to blame-I 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 If you had reasoned with me
if you had pointed out
DO you think | wanted n captive
instead of wife," he asked harshly.
~ saw you fretted and pinned like
Gagged creature, l saw the hunted look in
your eyes; knew you would wear your
life out in a little while If it went on. "
1T was so dull-so dreary," she muir
INJURED, land nobody wanted me, not
even you, think, after a little while. l
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 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"
las 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 together-without
love or happiness-while she id laugh
al o,,5 se,,,r, Thara xuas uothfn1 younR