The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-05-13
Our Daily Short Story

, fiared and sent strange. unearthly shadows swaying softly on the walls It showed the mothers face tremulous with unshed tears; 1t showed Fletch- CTS eyes hungry. as one who hunRers for bread just beyond reach. Suddenly Fletcher crossed the room and dropped on his knees beside the quiet figure.
 "oh." she said. and she showed no surprise; T knew that you would come. l never meant to come here to your home, but I had to--I couldn't endure t. Don't leave him again. He needs you~-the poor baby. His grand mother doesn't understand him, and then" with a little uninirthfui laugh. ''she can't forgive him that he's mine. Do you remember how. .fretted that she would never recognize 9me-never meet daughter of the people--and be- cause of that I have been able to come here and snatch him from death for you. Life's too big for us to under stand, isn't it?" She smiled wistfully. Rob" she said. softly, T know now that did wrong-that 1t was I who was in the wrong"
 The mans face suddenly became as mask of stone, its lines fixed and rigid. The woman shrank from him. "You doubt me still" she cried T want aothing from you'll loathe the money you have wanted me to use, but you shall believe in me. You shall" look ing into his unyielding eyes. T did wrong,3 she said again. T think you would have let me explain, but I was too hurt to want to explain. I was young and foolish and intoIerant, and so slipped away; 1t was an act of guilt, wasn't 1t? You thought it guilt. and covered my going to save the good old name. I don't know how I ever did it--it tore my heart strings, the going"
 Fletcher leaned nearer and nearer. his hot eyes upon her fire-lit face, searching 1t, piercing through it to what lay beyond.
 The fires soft querolousnessl and the childs breathing were the only sounds in the quiet room as his eyes held hers.
 You beliepe,. she erica, breathIesu- ly; you don't understand even vet. but you believe in me" T believe" he said. solemnly.
 And I have suffered so! It was such trihe to bring such bitterness and sorrow. I don't know why I didn't night; I don't know why I stole away like thief. I was such a child, Rob. ana l was bewildered. I wanted to die. Your scorn cut like a lash; your doubt -HoD. Rob-. she cried, don't you Know yet? It was all make-believe. It was play I was rehearsinR with him none of the others could take tbe part--don't you remember my talent Tor the stage-and your doubt of me-"
 But Fletcher had drawn her into the shelter of his arms.
 The child stirred, woke, sat m ana looked at Fletcher with big, wonder Ing eyes. Daddy" he said. uncertain- ly; daddy"
 Fletcher kissed him, a sudden mist before his eyes.
 The wan little arm stole about his throat, the other was about the neck or the hospital nurse. Kiss muddie. .n he commanded.
 The mans lips closed on the wom. ans trembling mouth.
 When the fire fiared m arsir Fletcher was saying: And to think me little chap remembered that old trick Of making us kiss each other. Martha. Why, it's been--"
 An eternity, as hearts count. He's A papy stlll, she said, and 1t has heen two years-doesn't 1t take them a long time to lose their baby ways" she smiled at him with the old smile brim full of love and trust.
 Martha, Martha" hoarsely. what if you hadn't become nurse? What if you hadn't come to our boy?"
 How futile, she said. I meant to leave before you came, and you wouIS never have mounted those steps if won had known that I was at the end oT the Journey, and so things were taken out of our hands,"
 IT was destiny Fletcher said. Gods planning" ft@f