The San Francisco call., 1906-06-24

needn't go to him if you don't want to-"
She saeted herself in large rocking chair
and drew the boy to her knee. He looked
out at Clement under heavy dark lock
which tuInbled down over his full, white
forehead and again hid his face.
He was very like his father. as Jack had
said. II was strange that Mrs. McClin-
His dark eyes were of the same color and
shape; the oval of his face. the straight
nose, the sensitive mouth. were the same.
Again Clement held out his hands.
Won't YOU come TO me?" he pleaded.
But Hugh shook his head. He looked i'll;
there were purple shadows under his eyes.
His tiny fingers were like birds claws.
He was sick. coming over" said Della.
putting back the lock OF hair. He hasn't
gotten over it, He's a healthy child.
usually" Her tone and manner resented
the criticism implied by Clements silence.
The heart of the father smote him. Hes
fine little fellow" he said gently. "Why
didn't you tell me, Delia?'
.'TeH your she calculated. "a woman
doesn't tell such things to those who are
not interested"
Not interested He arose and stood
over her, looking down on the coils OF
yellow hair. How did you happen to
come alone?" he asked.
'T had little Annie Otter with me-old
Annie's granddaughter" she answered
I'm surprised that Richard and John
allowed It,"
MY brothers didn't know" she said
briefly. mo one knew. 1 went on a visit
to Cousin Sarah and then kept on.
sent back word from the steamer"
Something very like tenderness went
like a warm wave through him at the
thought of her setting out alone with the
babe and the small nursery maid on such
a long. hard journey. A momentary i'm
pulse seized him TO take her in his arms.
bridge the gulf between them. thaw her.
claim her. give himself TO her: but he
could not. And this was his wife. That
was their child.
She glanced up at him over her rounded
shoulder '.Sit down. Clem.'' she said
coldly. There's no use in making a
scene"
"But'-his voice sank almost to a whis-
per- 1T is so-horriblel'
Its only the natural outcome" she
said harshly. What can man expect
when he turns his back upon his own? I
know you don't see 1t in that light You
thought il was your duty to come over
here and interfere with other people and
teach them their duty-you and Marv
Henley. You had a cali, Lord. what
that means 70 the people who have to stem
aside, How we sinners have to paw for
you saints She laughed scornfully He
turned from her ard walked to the win
dow When he came back he was calm
er- why did you send back my letters
unopened? he asked reproachfully.
Why didn't you come yourself?' she
demanded
Il couldn't leave my work just then. I
didn't know"
Couldn't leave your work." she cried
You'd have found way to leave il if
you'd loved me. A man. may saw what ha
pleases about his work. the woman he
loves can always take him away from il.
You never cared for me- Glenn. or else,
Or eIse-what? Go on he urged.
call YOU" she said slowly.
What do you means? he asLea. -.
he knew before she answered, still sneak-
ms IN slowly. with weight every word.
4 mean that saw you driving with that
woman Yesterday. You don't need 10 af-
trm or deny anything. know. A woman
always knows. if she has lived with a
man." ~