Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-06-13

II had an electrical effect upon Lady
ilordtnlcld. who sank. half faintinS,
rpon Il sofa. This name, Mimi. was a
'iiminution Of Amelia. She well knew
that flie- and only one--man had ever
applied it TO her
He advanced toward her, and said in
a voice in which harshness struggled
with tenderness for the mastery 80
You KNOW lie. Mimi:'
"Charles.' she murmured.
Yes. Charles Tell me the old tale
Say YOU thought me dead. and married
another because YOU We're poor and
claimed
"Oh. good heavens. Charles! They
told me you had died in India
"They lied. whoever they were-lied as
fOullv and deSignedly as ever did viii
lainS," he cried. with ferceness i'll sup
pressed
There was pause, which he broke.
You never expected to see me again.
Lady Mordenheld Bah. How the
mime chokes me. When we parted and
! Went abroad. do you remember that
your father said | was poor and no tit
match for YOU and that it was agreed
between us that should 90 to India to
try my luck there and send for you. but
a letter came. telling me that you were
dead and hat our child would be cared
for Your father lied to both of us to
accomplish his ambitious purposes and
he succeeded in making two lives mis-
erahe"
Lady Mordentield's tears fell fast.
Il remained true to my love and have
been ii widuwer for your sake ever
since, continued the speaker. You
We're false TO your VOWS. have learn
ed that your father is dead, that YOU
married Lord Mordeniield, who died
some years back. and that you live a
life of seclusion in this wild place.
"Oh. Charles, if you knew how l have
suffered you would not reproach me"
And haven't | also suffered? Have
not monrncd you as one dead, and
erected Il shrine to you in my heart of
hearts. weeping over the memory of
he past: But hear me out,
tlIl ilSlChluS, SuC ltpilCos Uuls
for heavens sake, speak more mildly.
| cannot bear your reproaches.
You must bear them, and I have a
right to speak to you. for you are Mrs.
kedington. am Charles Bedington.
We We're lawfully married. Your sec
ond marriage with Lord Mordenfield
WAS higamous and illegal. Do you hear
your second son, the present Lord Nor
denfeld. is illegitimate and mere no.
body"
Heaven help met! moa ned the wretch
I'd woman.
That matters little. | am rich. for
| have accomplished the purpose for
which your worldly and mercenary ia
. tncr separated me from you and exiled
me from my native land
Il was not to blame.'
You We're to blame. You should
have chung to me instead of weakly
listening to his advice. l do and will
blame you"
"Charlcs, Charles" she cried plead
ingly.
Il will not spare you. l have look ed
forward to this day, and this is part of
your punishment, but only part"
lis there more to come? Forgive me
if have erred. You loved me once,
Charlie" she said in winning man
ner.
That is past and gone. l have
].coIne here today to demand our child.
my SON. Where is he? Give him to
me. l, his father. demand him Of
you"
He drew .himself up proudly as he
spoke and gazed with the sternness Of
an avenging spirit upon her. The
wretched woman did not dare to meet
his stern eyes. How had she fulfilled
| the sacred trust confided to her? What
| account could she give of the boy, who
had been taken away from her when
quite young and placed under the care
| OF strangers!
Where is my child!" continued Mr..
| Bedington in a stern voice.
Il cannot tell YOU" she answered.
And why not:"
First of ALL tell me if you have not
:, spark of love left for me. Listen to
| me. Let the past be forgotten, Charles.
Say nothing about our former mar
riage. No one need know you as the
Charles BeClington who went to India
and was supposed to have died there.
am a widow. AS the relict of Lord
Mordenfield have large estates and a
good income. Come to me as stran-
ger, marry me again, and we will go
into society as Lady Mordenfield and
Mr.. Bcdington. Then my son need not
be the uameless nobody you say he is
in reality, and you will not take from
me the wealth that long use has made
necessary to my existence"
"You are very careful about the in
terest of your second son, whom you
call your boy. But what about your
| first son. my boy? Is he to be an out
cast, nameless, penniless, nobody"
| 81 have only seen him once since nc
was taken away from me quite young
My affection is centered upon Morden,
field" she answered.
| "And mine on the other. l will listen
1 1N<>x