The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-05-07

AS he uttered these last words, for
the first time during this converse
ton Beatrice moved quickly, looking
at the viscount with eager eyes. Rosa
saw the movement, and her mouth
grew straight.
voice. IF I have no right to the
title Lady Catherington, my child is
my child only, and not yours"
For a moment it was his turn to be
nonplussed. He saw the dark look in
her eyes and grew nervous.
am sure" said he, quickly. 1.-THE care
you'd taken of her up to the time you
| handed her over to me proves that"
He was for the moment puzzled by
the look she shot at him, for it was
1 full of alarm, inquiry, surprise. He
went on:
Il treat her, and shall always treat
her, exactly as if there were no doubt
and no mystery about her birth and
parentage. Can you wish for mOre?'
Again Rosa looked, with a puzzled
frown, from Lord Catherington to the
ner. After moments hesitation she
4 said, decidedly:
II don't wish for any more for her,
certainly; know very we'll you'll take
care of her, better care than could.
But''-and now the glance she threw
at Beatrice was Enthusiastically vindic-
tive-"there's just one condition l
must insist upon making if I'm to en-
gage to leave the child with you and
never myself trouble you again, and
that is, that you leave things as they
are and don't press for a divorce"
The viscount moved impatiently. -
"Out of the question: said he
shortly. II am free in fact; 1 must
have my freedom legally proved. There
W. 1o1 1iccrr f0,
either of us. AS the marriage took
place in America, we can have it dis
solved out there, without any one be-
, ing the wiser. And with the allow
| ance I shall make you, you will easily
be able to maintain as much dignity
; as you please in either country"
And you-what do you mean tc
/ do?" asked Rosa, brusquely. etc
l marry again. of course, and surround
yourself with q new family to ous
my child and to pick holes in her fam.
J.. lily history! oh, yes, it's of no use
2 to deny it. No man ever wants {
divorce from one wife except to marry
l another"
"And can't you trust me to be true
> to my promise? To keep her from
every sort of harm or shame?" sale
= he, with dignified, earnest remon.
1 STRANGE.
But from him Rosa turned once
> more to the other woman, and reat
i, one secret in the eyes of both. Ross
: felt her power and believed that sh'
!. could make her own terms.
leave things as they are" she re
:. peated, obstinately, "or I take ava!
my child
= Lord Catherington grew angry.
j You don't even know said ne
? law she is your child! In law. if no
in fact, she is probably Robert Bur
nets"
( And as he spoke, he glanced at {
e large photograph, in brocade frame
which stood on a side-table near him
Rosa's glance followed his, and he
eyes rested upon the picture with I
, puzzled expression. Then she rose
t took up the frame, and looked at
carefully. And then, raising her eyes
= she met those of Beatrice Froyle
n Rosa put the picture down again witt
n no, remark UPON it.
"Let me see her, at any rate" sail
e she.
Lord Catherington hesitated, locke
I. at Beatrice.
"She's in bed, asleep most likely,
:. said the widow, her voice hoarse an
It Surely" went on Rosa, with a.
g ominously suave manner and tone
# you can't deny that have right t
h see her!'
n Beatrice, with her head throbbins
70 scarcely able to make herself under
l. stood, sobbed out: you wouldn't wis
to disturb her, frighten her, I'm sure.
,r brighten her! Her own mothe
10 brighten her! What an ideal" sal
l. Rosa. And she turned to Lord Cath
se erington: "You won't deny me sigh
ID of her, will you?''
< mo; suppose I can't"
is She turned triunphantly to Bes
trice. moving towards the door as sh
}" spoke.
1t Shall go upstairs? Will you sho
x me the way?'
n. But Beatrice got to the door frs
RS She was scarcely able to find the ha1
re die, but when she had it in her ham
w she turned to gasp out:
so "No. Stay here. I'll bring her.
Of She rushed out Of the room and u
:" the staircase, with her heart beatin
i'd wildly and her eyes burning like Ii,
err Goals in her head. She was sure, {
n. almost sure, that Rosa suspecte
lg something. The manner in which 81
ne had examined and then replaced tt
lportrait Of Ermyn, without any r.