Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-05

She drass her fingers down her cheeks
leaving marks upon the f1eslI which make
her seem almost gaunt-
Between the child that could not sec
and that cried day and night. and the
man in a frenzy OF irritability. grew to
hate life! 1t was like being on the rack.
I used often and often, to wish that We
were all dead"
Stonehurst starts to, speak, but she
interrupts him.
Then Mr. Cameron died. I think he
was brokenhearted about Donald. And
after that l spent three years doing my
duty. Three interminable years / lived
In solitude, looking after the dairy and
the farm and nursing Donald. And all
the time ! was struggling to get hold
of an idea about the rights of an indi-
viduai to select and take for himself.
so one day it came to me that the old
door stood open-the door of the house
that had welcomed me- that had I'M
prsoned me and that vas going to liher-
ate me- 1t had seen my poor child Crop
ing through it on hts hands and knees,
then stumbling through in his first steps,
and falling-fallng go often! 1t had seen
the master carried forth. And l meant
that 1t should see me go out In search or
nv life My life was there outside,
somewhere, awaiting me. The door stood
wide--it seemed to give me permission
to CO.
She turns to the man with one of her
swift smiles.
And so l found my life," she whispers
and holds out her hands.
The room has in it for time an en-
chanting silence. The October wind stirs
without in an air rich with perfumes of
decay; the soft breathing of the child is
family audible; and the Goals fall now
and then in the glowing bed on the
hearth Suddenly the child cries in his
sleep. and Madeline starts to her feet
guilty She hastens 10 the bedroom,
d bar nina how 10y
with inarticuate sounds and soft pat
tings When she comes back she stands
by the fire, and Stonehurst, arising, looks
across the hearth at her.
He isn't SO well these days, she says.
using the pronoun as mothers will. I've
had such happiness in these rooms but
Donald has never found his way about
and SO he hasn't liked 1t. He is shut up
too much and It's the most difficult thing
Imaginable to find toy that will amuse
him. He enjoys himself best at the
farm
That's the place for him. agrees
Stonehurst He'll have pets in plenty
and the right sort of food and exercise.
me, will be devoted to him: You said
they were mother and son? The son is a
grown man. l suppose
Yes"
He's looking after your interests for
carl Brandenberg? Yes. He under
stands the place perfectly"
well, don't place too much confidence
in him Remember it's large property
you have"
Carl Brandenberg cheats nobody-and
never me-"
NO? But why not you particularly"
His father before him managed for
the Camerons. He inherits loyalty
do you wish me to- inquire into the
conditions Of his adoption of Donald?
For he would wish to have the adoption
according to law. suppose"
Need We think about that just YETI"
why. yes. We are to be married next
month-the 12th-'
The 18th if you please
The 18th, Aren't you moving the days
along? No? Well the 18th. We shall
start for France at once. 1t is obvious
that everything must be settled before We
go. These people WILL have no doubt
send you frequent communications
about"