Los Angeles herald., 1906-09-09

Il
ing the next two days, and all his ar
kss=z,= rangements for leaving the country
GMRO were carried out satisfactorily.
Three hours after he had left Marie
de la Mothe he discovered that it was PRACTICAL
ly certain his defalcatons would not be discov-
cred for at least fortnight He was also
lucky in being able to transfer his berth on the
Oroquoya to steamer sailing the next week.
But the question Of his child presented many
difficulties He had to decide whether to take
the boy with him or leave him behind in the
care of some relatives.
For a whole night he fought out silent bat
tie with himself. It was the night before his
wife's funeral Her body lay in the next room.
The lid Of the coffin had been screwed down and
he knew that he could never see her face again.
But that face still lived in the features of her
child.
It only when the coffin had been lowered
into the grave, and Porteous had taken last
look at it before the earth had covered it up,
that he showed any signs of emotion, and lifting
his child up in his arms, he kissed him. No one
guessed that he meant that kiss for his dead
wife, and that it sealed the resolution Of atone
ment.
The only sister Of Mrs Porteous was present
at the funeral Her husband, who held a small
living in Essex, had conducted the burial
vice. Both were staying the night in London
On the way back from the cemetery the Rev
George Behag suggested that the widower and
his child should return with them to his vicar
age and spend a week in the country. The
change would do both of them good, and would
help in some way to take them out of their
grief Mrs. Behag warmly seconded the pro-
posal.
John Porteous, in spite Of the mist of bitter
and vain regret which clouded his thoughts, saw
his way clear before him. He replied that busi-
ness would unfortunately keep him in town, but
that he would be very grateful if they would
take charge of his child for few days As a
matter Of 1a,t the offer only anticipated his
own wishes in the matter. He could secretly
write short note mploring Mrs Behag to take
the lad under her charge, bring him up as her
own son, and never let him know his fathers
name.
The next morning the Rev. George Behag and
his wife arranged to leave Liverpool street by
the 1140 John Porteous did not go to the
bank that morning. He wanted to have the last
few hours with the child, whom, in all proba-
biIity, he would never again.
After breakfast he took the little lad into his
study. The child was excited at the idea of
leaving London, and his father was 10th to damp
his jubilant spirits.
After awhile the two talked and played to-
gether as if nothing out of the common were
about to happen. But by degrees the laughing
smile died from the child's face. He threw
NAL that reared impulsively on its hind legs at
the mere pressure Of the thumb on an India
rubber ball, and came up to his fathers side.
''Where's mummy" he said plaintivey.
''She's gone away, Dickie," the wretched man
replied.
''She is not coming back, Dickie-"
The child clapped his hands, "Mummy's gone
to the country he cried joyfully- 81 will see
her today" The did not answer.
"Today, perhaps" the child repeated, little
doubtfully
.1Not today, DcEie, but some day, Mamma
has gone on a long journey. told you SO be-
fore, Diclde.'
eyes, yes, papa but Uncle George lives
awful way off, miles and miles and miles. Per-
mot today, Dickie. Some day you will see
her, if you are good"
''But, papa
The man seized the child and kissed him pas
sionately sitting the question on his lips. Then
he took him on his knee and talked to him
about the strange and beautiful things he would
see in the Countrywide cows the horses, the
pigs. 80,
''Pigs," the child asked excitedy. Real
pigs?"
he initiated the animal to the best of his ability
The child called for other animals and Por-
teous gave each Of them in turn running through
the whole gamut Of the farmyard-
He was Initiating the quack Of duck, when
there was a knock at the door, and a servant
entered.
1.-TWO gentlemen to see you sir"
'I cannot see anyone now Mary" he replied
''Ask them to look in again Who are they?"
"They gave no name, sir, but they said their
business was important"
''Piease ask them who they are and what they
want. cannot see anyone unless it is ON
very urgent matter"
The servant left the room.
Porteous walked over to the window and
stared idly into the street Then he suddenly
started and his face grew very white Two po
licemen we're standing at the corner half doz
en- yards TO the right of him, There was moth
ing unusual in that But hundred yards fur
ther down the street TO the left there was
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