Walker Lake bulletin. (Hawthorne, Nev.) 1883-1926, 1903-09-11

al CROWDED concert nail, Wnere
she had enjoyed a veritable
triumph. Her face was flushed and
smiling, and she still held in her hands
the great bouquet of roses-her favor
ite 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 a telegram for madame on
the table" she said. Denise picked 1t
up; it was addressed to Mrs. F'ielden,"
which was unusual. She was known
to the London world and her friends as
Madame Elena She opened 1t
sharply. 1t was brief and to the point.
Il think it is right TO let you know
that the boy is seriously i'll.
sa.l. M "MICHAEL."
Unconsciously she crushed the mes
sage In her hand. and her thoughts
few to the Lincolnshire village where
II had been written.
Bring me an A, b, c. and pack a
bag. l am going into the country"
Il wonder is he is really very HIP
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 child.-I won
der what he is like now? He was not
pretty or interesting child. l remem-
Der he was always crying"
After drive of nearly an hour she
membered the old coat at-of-arms cut in
the stonework, though she could not
see 1t now, with the motto, Il live
die."
Master is upstairs" old Hannah said
distantly, IN reply to Denise's greeting.
Il Will go up at once If l may" and
before Hannah could raise any objec-
ton she was half way up the stairs.
What great room it was! And how
solitary those two figures looked in
it,!
II am sorry to trouble you," the man
said, getting up as she moved. 81 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 50 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." warning voice said
II shall not hurt him." she said hold
ing the boy close to her breast. See,
he is already more content" The little
troubled, and one wasted arm had 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 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.
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 comel" she exclaimed. Then she
remembered. II beg your pardon" she
said humbly; you are quite right. 1t
10 I .ph 70 la hn In,
the wrong. But-but," her voice grow
Ing husky, II did not know he wanted
me so badly. | was 10 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 a captive
instead of wife, he asked harshly
~ saw you fretted and pined like
Gagged creature, | saw the hunted look In
your eyes; knew you would wear your
life out In little while II 1t went on"
1T was so dull-so dreary," she mur
Injured, land nobody wanted ME, not
even you, think, after little while.
ought not TO have married"
mo doubt 1t was a mistake, but In
justice / must say that that was more
my fault than yours. l 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"
"As you yours"
"As mine" something in the voice
made Denise more .uneasily For six
years the man and the child had lived
bere 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 had laugh
ed and sung. There was nothing young
in the house--not even the little form
! = = - l.