Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1903-09-11
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! THE HEART OF THINGS !
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in the faded drawing room when her
husband came In. As IA rule she saw
very little of him; they seemed to avoid
each other by tacit consent.
There is something | wish to say to
you If you are at leisure" he began.
Il am quite at your service" she an
swered. Little Michael is in bed and
asleep and l have nothing to do
1T is about him | 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
he could not stand much" Could he
mean that they wanted her no longer?
she asked herself, with a thrill of fear.
"As you say, be needs great deal of
care" he answered slowly. He also
needs more comfort aud different sur
roundings TO what | can give him. l
have wondered-I have wondered lie
repeated, IF you would like TO take
him with you when you gof'
Like to take him. she echoed, her
face lighting up with joy. Need you
ask me?"
No, perhaps not. | thought that
you seemed attached TO him.
"Attached?' she repeated again, with
a laugh. Il love him with all my heart.
| couldn't bear to be parted from him
now. But don't you mindi' looking at
him with inward resentment at his In
difference. Wont you be very lonely
without him.
1T will be best for the child to be
with you for a 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 necessl
tate your returning to town soon."
Yes. | ought TO have gone before"
flushing at his evident anxiety to get
rid of her. I'VE VIII 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
boy" he answered, as he closed the
door.
80 course, there would be no thought
Of me in it," she said to herself bitter
ly. II wonder why he hates ME so
much now? Once upon a 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.
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
will you like that?"
A 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 1t, MOTHER
How lovely springlng up in bed with
shining eyes. And Is father coming,
tooy''
| 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"
mot 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
secret; it can't be wrong to tell you.
Father keeps a picture OF you locked
up, and | saw him looking at 1t one
night. and-and," in an awed whisper,
"he kissed 1t before he put it away.
People must love person very much to
kiss their picture, mustn't they, moth
err" Kisses had been rare luxuries In
his life
"Kissed my picture? Are you sure.
little MichaelT' The child nodded,
watching her intensely. Denise thought
of how she was going 10 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 fan
ed her. What II he should be angry;
what IL he should repulse her? She
shiyered at the thought
She softly opened the library door,
where he was in the habit OF sitting at