Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-08-07
Lady buttons Ward
NJ.
BY BERTHA M. CLAY.

| DO 0OL LOIkuIG nv my A1Ass %+ASN
the poor mother. You know l must
go to him. In lives such as yours
there comes no sorrow such as mine.
Can you not understand what it is to
look your last, perhaps, in life, upon
your own child?"
A quiyer, a. " sharp pain, crossed
the lady's calm fee for one instant
81 can understand it" she replied,
gently; "and that is why l have
brought Hilda here. Believe me, Mag
dalen, shall act by her as though
she were my own"
The woman made no reply. With
every moment that passed, her face
seemed to grow whittier and her sorrow
deeper; she clasped the child in her
! arms IS though nothing but death
could part them.
my own child" she murmured;
my own little child! I nursed her.
loved her, cared for her. would have
shielded her with my life, and I am
ooMng AT her for the last time. Oh
my lady, change your plan. Say, If
return may claim her How can
live witout her? How can / die?
What answer can I make the Great
Judge when He asks me for my
child?"
you are only doing what you de-
cided yourself was for the best" said
Lady Hutton II cannot change my
plans; they are founded on common
sense. If for fifteen or twenty years
l educate your daughter, and she be-
comes refined and delicate lady, you
would not surely wish to drag her
own again to your level, remember
ing what that level Is"
you are not the first" continued
Lady Hutton, in her cold passionless
voice, whose life has been wrecked at
It's outset; others have had the same
troubles, perhaps even greater. Life
is ended for you. The cloud that has
fallen over it is a dark one-no light
can penetrate it. Let your child live
and be happy as she never could be
with you. Dc you think, after fifteen
wears snent as ny daughter, that it
would % fair to ask her to return to
such homo as yours? Would It not
be cruel and unjust? Be brave for her
sake. Magdalen. You have yourself
decided where your duty lies"
= know" said the poor mother,
plaintiyeiy: "cne way or another, my
heart must break"
You fancy So" said Lady H-.ton;
one can bear much, yet ~ on. Hilda
will be happy and well cared for; if
she lives she will grow up a beautiful,
accomplished lady; she will be nv
ward and my heiress: she will have
wealth and position; she will marry
well, and live honored and esteemed
Yet you would have her exchange all
this for poverty and shame"
But, my lady" said the woman, "he
may alter he may repent; and
| then"
Hush" said Lady Hutton; 81 be-
lieye 1t is easier to change the leon
ards spots than to reform a really
bad man. See, / have brought the
money, Magdalen; no, tell me, is
there anything more can do for YOU?
Do not ask me to alter my conditions
cannot do 1t. II take Hilda now.
| 1t is for life: and I extract from YOU
solemn promise that you will never
seek her again, never ask for her. but
remember always that for her own
good you have parted with her until
you meet in another world"
Magdalen Hurst clasped the little
child still more tightly in her arms
Her lips fingered lovingly on the fair
little face, the golden curls, and the
sweet lips.
my darling will be lady she said.
"a grand lady; she will have dresses
and rare jewels; she viii be rich and
honored; but my heart will be empty.
and she will have no mother: she will
never know me, never love me-"
Lady Hutton took from her purse
gold AID bank notes, and laid them
upon 'he table
THE sum we agreed upon is there.
Magdalen" said Lady Hutton. TT is
growing laje: you had better say
goodbye to Hilda we must leave you
Inow: write to me W hen you reach your
journeys end. | can only hope your
future may be happier than your past
has been
low moan came from the white
lips still touching the child's face
Then Magdalen Hurst rose and took
from her finger a thick plain gold
ring
LADY Hutton. she said. gently.
may give his to Hilda? viii YOU
let her wear it?"
With By own hands Lady Hutton
fastened the ring to a little chain the
child wore.
Il promise you" she said "Eiilda
shall always wear it. viii put it on
her finger when she is old enough"
1t was plain ring, made in a pecul.
lar way; the single word Fidelity"
was engraved upon It,
If Magdalen Hurst could have fore
seen all that would arise from the
fact OF her daughters wearing that
ring. she would have risked her life
sooner than have given it to her.