Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1907-07-25
Lady buttons Ward
BY BERTHA M. CLAY.


woman. Il know it. or / would not
leave her. do not fear for her,
but my heart aches for my little child.
IL shall feel the clasp of her arms
ro.nd my neck, shall feel her warm
soft lips on my face. shall hear her
voice and listen for her footsteps. My
life will be empty and dark without
her"
Choose for Yourself" said Lady Hut
ton. quietly. "If you wish to alter our
arrangements, there is time to do So
20 not torture me, my lady" cried
the poor mother. You know | 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 culver, as Of sharp pain, crossed
the lady's calm face for one instant.
Il can understand it," she replied,
gently; land that is why have
brought Hilda here Believe me, Mag
dalen. [ shall act by her as though
Sne were my own.
| The woman made no reply. With
every moment that passed, her face
seemed to grow whittier and her sorrow
deeper; she ciasped the child in her
could part them.
My own child" she murmured;
my own little child! l nursed her,
loved her. cared for her. would have
shielded her with my life, and / am
looking at her for the last time. Oh
my lady, change your plan. Say, IL
return | may claim her. How can |
live without herr, How can | die?
What answer can ! 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
educate your daughter, and she be-
comes refined and delicate lady, you
would not surely wish to drag her
down 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
Its outset; Others have had the same
troubles, perhaps even greater. Life
Is ended fer you. The cloud that has
fallen over 1t is ark one-no light
can penetrate 1t. Let your child live
and be happy as she never could be
with you. Do you think, after fifteen
years spent as my daughter, that 1t
would be fair to ask her to return to
such home as yours? Would 1t not
be cruel and unjust? Be brave for her
sake. Magdalen. You have yourself
decided where your duty lies
II know" said the poor mother,
plaintively; zone way or another, my
heart must break"
You fancy So" said Lady Hutton;
zone can bear much, yet live on. Hilda
viii. be happy and well cared for; IL
she lives she will grow up beautiful.
accomplished lady; she will be my
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 Il be-
lieve 1t is easier to change the leop-
ards spots than to reform a really
bad nan. See, have brought the
money. Magdalen; now. 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 extract from you
a 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
I
sweet lips.
My darling will be lady she said.
"a grand lady: she will have dresses
and rare Jewels; she will be rich and
honoced: 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 and bank notes, and laid them
upon the table.
The sum we agreed upon is there.
Magdalen." said Lady Hutton. 1T is
growing late: you had better say
goodbye to Hilda; we must leave you
now; write to me when you reach your
: journeys end. can only hope your
future may be happier than your past
: has been"
A low moan came from the white
lips suli touching the child's face.
, Then Magdalen Hurst rose and took