The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-07-21

Where am To- she asked, family, nut
quite distinctly.
You are at home. my darling. safe at
home again. thank Cod" said Lady stor-
mont, stopping nearer. and feeling that
the sight Of her face would surely dispel
all wandering fears or fancies. AT home,
my own child" she repeated. more m
gently, as the gray eyes gazed blankly
into her own
"Home." repeated the girl, as If the
word had no meaning for her. Where IS
home? WhO-who are your" gazing blank
ly into the eyes beaming mOther-rapture
into her own.
The poor mother fell back with 6 faint
CRY. as il she had been struck.
'Isobel, darling. don't you know me
me-yOur mother" her voice, rising 10 q
wall, the outward composure she had
maintained so long in the face of agony.
and, harder still, perhaps, und=r the
shock II bewildering. Overmasteripg re-
lief and JOY. breaking down pitilully I'M
der this unlooked-for blow.
DR.. Purves hurried forward
Ny dear Lady Stormont, you've set
US all such a good example, you mustn't
fail us now We've cause enough TO be
thankful that we have got Miss Isobel
home alive. The rest will follow all in
good time-all IN good tiruer soothingly,
and the first step toward K is to get her
quietly TO bed. and as quickly as we can.
II is no wonder that the poor child is all
astray, yet"
DR.. Purves, a skilled and solid. If, as
some young men fresh from college and
hospital might have thought q slightly
old-fashiOned practitioner. knew at least
the sovereign properties of something To
90" rs an outlet for anxiety AMI over
charged feeling Basil was relieved of MS
light burden. and Isobel hastily conveyed
TO her room, that dainty maiden bower
the aching emptiness Of which Lady StOr-
mont had not dared to face for days past
The doctor soon followed, saying.
Go and get sleep. Mr.. Conyers-you
need it; and you, too, Sir David, If you'll
take my advice. Ny news Will keep till
the morning, but I've every hope II will
be a good report"
The two men were left alone together
They looked at each other with a faint
smile.
Sleep The young man was perhaps
dimly conscious that he was at last only
awakening. What had happened He
the change which a moment had wrought
The train had been laid Turing these
long days of feverish anxiety and sus-
pense, Of deepening pity. of growing
dread, and now the needed spark had
fallen and kindled it. He vaguely felt
that Isobel was no longer only his little
cousin. only the girl whom he was to
marry, and whom he had rescued. Be
yond that he did not Yet go, as he sat
gazing into the glOwirG heart of the fire,
seeing again that new light awakened in
her transparent eyes. feeling again the
strange. sudden thrill If t,Iclr meeting
glances, while Sir David walked resrlessIy
UP and down the long room.
AT last, as if he could forGear no long
er, the elder man paused.
Basil. you don't know what you've
done for mt" he said; I've never thank
ed you"
I don't need any thanks It-Hleans
too much TO me, said Conyers, quietly
Sir Donald laughed. harshly, strangely
DO you think l meant TO thank you?
Ny God would a man thank another for
lifting him out of hell? You d.n't know
what you've done for me; you've not
only given me back my chil1-no no.
must speak AS the young man tried to
stay him-''youve given me back my hope
in life, my hope in Coda God who win
have mercy-whO viii forgive not re-
morseless Fate to whom repentance is
nothing. amendment nothing, which visits
the sins OF the fathers upon the children
which tOrtUres you through the innocent
which demands payment in kind, Lut de-
fers that exaction till the poor deluded
wretch thinks he has paid in full. that
hctE ha DC
past. that though he can never forgive
himself, he may be forgiven-and then.
and then"
The light gray eyes under the heavy,
reddish brows blazed with wild excite
ment the tall figure WAS strung tense,
the hands nervously working.
Suddenly he pulled himself together,
passed his hand over his eyes with lSsg
breath, like a man awaking.
What was I saying. Basil? If it was
nonsense, forget it. I'll pc myself again
soon. Life has been a horror, a night
mare these past days. huJ. thank God
and thanks to you-that is over"
The door opened, and Lady Stormcnt
came swiftly and lightly in. The burden
of these terrible days, which still weighed
so heavily uDOn her husband, seemed t.
have fallen from her. The cruel lines
which suspense and anguish had drawn
upon her face were lost 10 sight in the
radiance of deep and pure joy.
4 came away for a moment, though
could hardly bear to leave her. She IS
sleepiEg-really sleeping" in a whisper rs
If she feared to disturb that blessed
sleep. You must come and see her,
David; 1t viii do you good and oh, Basil,
what do we not owe you" aud she turn
ed to the young man with swimming eyes
and outstretched hands, and for while
there was silence for a mighty gladness.
like a great grief. makes for itself a