The Washington herald., 1909-05-30
CHAPTER XIII
The Call of the Blood.

"EE thought almost drove her mad He h.,
husband, had left her alone in her hour Of cry
u ing needi For a moment Lucy lay on her bed
too stunned to move much as finger. But
the next instant she sprang and with but
vague nkng Of her purpose clutched little garments
and ran into the dressing room But al was dark
and she groped her way TO the door switched
on the electric light She looked round the room
II was empty. Everything in the perfect
order. Not single garment was lying about; not
a chair Of its place
The deathly quiet frightened her. and she nestated
to the door leading into the corridor She held
her breath listen, and the faint sound as OF one
moving in the hall below fell upon her All, It
vas not yet too late, Opening the door quietly shs
ran along the soft carpet and leaned over the balus
trade
is that you. Gilbert" she whispered; but fOr an
swer she heard the front door close with harsh.
grating sound
Something in her heart told her that he had gone
never TO return. and in the agony Of the thought
not knowing her purpose she ran down the broad
stair and opened the door
All quiet in the Gardens this late hour
but she stood shfverng IN the cold she heard the
sound Of steady. slow steps the flags OF
street Her first thought was that he returning
that he had merely been frightening her, and she
crushed herself into the embTasure OF the door
But what would he say IL he his door
and found her crouching there like any homeless
waif7 She about tC steal into the house and
await his coming in the hail. when she became
with new shock that the sound OF The steps was
walked slowly toward the city.
Again she shivered and waited until the sound
had merged into silence. then shut the door quietly
and returned TO her She made pathetic pic
ture she slowly ascended the stair. cutching TO
her breast the baby garments that have ef-
fected such wondrous change by their mute appeal
Once more in her room she stood as one carved
81 stone for long space and mad thoughts
surging through her brain
he had left herI II was cruel-crueI! Had she de-
served this, after ali she had done? Had she not
abjectly expressed him her poignant sorrOw2 II
had loved her as he had often said would he hzvs
spurned the words Of her pleading?
IN her heart she knew that however low her hus-
band had fallen she would have taken him 70 her
heart at And this the first tine she had
yielded the call the blood Oh he might have
been compassionate. He might have been patient,
for she trying hardest be good But then,
she remembered that all these happy months he had
known nothing Of the struggle that hers. and
how for many weary hours-fOr many months-shs had
prayed for power. while he slept quietly her side.
He does not understand ne" she thought; and
more and more she felt that her husband had done
a cruel thing in thus leaving her IN the moment
when she needed him most
Down. down. down he turbIed from the pedestal
OF which her great love had placed him. and more
and more hercely did her pride within
mused on the undeserved severity OF his treatment
Tie tears that now rushed into her burning eyes
were tears not OF Penitence and grief but pride
wounded 70 the quiek-Of that she had 50 hum
bled herself before him hard cold look was il her
eyes as. with nervous haste, she dashed the
away
And even as she stood. the face OF The woman
she hated before her with cruel. sneering smile
Annette Mchelin- the temptress OF Nantes had come
between husband. Just as she had brought
aS,he7 saS Eq.n ana disgrace mat nA0 Aiis0 he' poor
Of the floor she held n her hand the baby clothes
Ina were 10 & nave sp9ksn SO loudly 70 her husband
the little white things. and moment the trace
old soft look returned to her eyes but passed
ever IN the unsunned places OF her soul the voice
Of motherhood calling. calling, and hastily
forgive me- she crooned softly pressing then
to her face. 1t was not your fault you tried your
Lucy took them over to the dressing table. and
placed item once more IN the stn open dTaeT
This done. she rose from her knees.
7 told him two could play at that game" she said
herself bitterly; and win show him that I said
never be eaced from nv rnernory have some pride
left Gilbert Rutherfurd," she whispered, you
And the words were the words of sure prophecy.
and more distinct # seemed TO ber As f rS1 n5c c
were speaking in her ear: You have ali your life
natural life Of convention and restraint? Were you
not ten thousand-fod happier in the days before you
looked into the eyes Of the man who has only made
The thoughts of the glorious liberty and untran
meled delights of the old days came to haunt her
and memory Of these last months rushed to mock
they had been the sweet delights OF love. and
She oRy Sought Of the restraints ad the fears i'ss aad
the life she had been leading seemed now 10 her
life OF hypocrisy, which was hundred times worse
than old life
Why be yOked any longer TO such prosaic IfegT
again the voice said. He does not want you now,
he would not leave you. His love dead But
you young: all your life before you Old
friends who understand you holding out hands
Of welcome"
But the small voice OF little
who was on his way from the lap OF the eternal
spoke sofy in her soul. and lingering glance fel!
on the closed drawer where lay the earnest OF hil
coming.
cob, cannot bear this" she groaned- "If he
would only return now, I would rush into his arms
and be at rest. Oh my beloved. afraid, an
afraids- she moane6.
And. tossed between the conhRting emotions OF
wounded pride and the claims Of the little voice she
flung herself down the bed IN her distress and
loneliness the call OF the blood spoke strong and in
sistent, and she feared in her soul that OF the
morrow she would do that which would cut on any
hope Of looking with the eyes Of Gilbert
Rutherfurd again