Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1903-03-21

III 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 l wish to say to
you IL you are at leisure" he began.
L am quite at your service" she an
sWered. Little Michael is in bed and
asleep, and | have nothing to do"
IL Is about him l wish to speak"
he said, as he sat down. He is almost
we'll again now"
lie is very delicate STILL" she said
quickly. He needs great deal of care
lie could not stand much" Could he
mean that they wanted her no longer?
she asked herself, with thrill of fear.
AS you say, he needs a great deal of
care" he answered slowly. HE also
needs more comfort and different sur
roundings to what | can give him.
have wondered-I have wondered" he
repeated, IF you would like to take
MIN with you when you go?"
Like to take him. she echoed, her
face lighting up with joy. Need you
ask me?"
NO, perhaps not. l thought that
you seemed attached to him."
"AttachedY' she repeated again, with
laugh. Il love him with all my heart.
l couldn't bear to be parted from him
now. But don't you mind?" looking at
him with inward resentment at his in
difference. won't you be very lonely
without him?'
1T will be best for the child to be
with you for time at least l think, as
you are willing to have him. AS you
say, he is not strong enough to stand
any shock, and he would miss you. l
suppose your engagements will necessi-
tate your returning to town soon"
Yes. l ought to have gone before"
flushing at his evident anxiety to get
rid of her. I'VE will go as soon as the
doctor says he can travel" Then as
he was leaving the room, II should
like to thank you very much for trust
ing me-for letting me have him."
There is no need. l have been think
ing it over and it seemed best for the
| IVY, hS duSN eIeu, DIS LIE ClOSeu the
| door.
| 30 course, there would be no thought
of me in it," she said to herself bitter
ly. Il wonder why he hates me so
much now? Once upon time" the
rose color in her cheeks growing deeper.
Il am sure he cared for me more than
little in his curious restrained way"
1t was still early when she went up
stairs to bed, but she was tired of her
own company. AS she lit the candles
the boy opened his eyes-he slept in
little bed in her room now-and call
ed to her
Il am not a bit sleepy. Come and
talk to me, mother" he said. She sat
down in the low chair and laid her
head on his pillow, as he liked to have
her.
I've got something to tell you, sweet
heart" she said, tucking one of his
hands under her cheek. What do YOU
think has happened? You are to come
with me to my mothers home. How
will you like that?"
wiser and more prudent mother
would have heSitated to excite the
child at that hour, but Denise was a
creature Of impulse.
go away with you and see all the
beautiful things you have told me
about? Do you really mean it, mother?
How lovely" springing up in bed with
shining eyes. And is father coming
tOo?"
Father does not want to come. dar-
ling" The childish face grew pale.
1T will be dull for father all alone
here" he said seriously. You ask him
to come, mother; he'll come for YOU"
Not for me-for me perhaps least
of ALL" she murmured, forgetting that
she was talking to child; but little
Michael was wiser than his years.
go, now, mother he said, coax
ingly. TRY Wait I'll tell YOU
a secret; it can't be wrong to tell you.
Father keeps a picture Of you locked
up, and | saw him looking at it one
night, and-and," in an awed whisper,
"he kissed it before he put it away.
People must love person very much to
kiss their picture, mustn't they, moth
err" Kisses had been rare Iuxuries in
his life.
kissed my picture? Are you sure,
little Michael?" The child nodded.
watching her intensely. Denise thought
of how she was going to make the des-
olate home more desolate, and the tears
rushed to her eyes.
III try, my sonny-I'll try for your
sake" she cried, and she went from the
room. Her heart was beating fast with
fear and excitement as she hurried
down the stairs before her courage fail.