The Washington herald., 1909-06-27

out OF Hfe. then. but he would live again
IN this child, which was his legacy To
Richard Travis the child seemed at once
70 belong to George. TO himself. and 70
his dead wife. They were the three who
would have loved it and rejoiced over IL.
The child perhaps would have the
eyes he lOved-his wifes dark-blue eyes.
that had looked at him from under
Georges brOws. and thct he had thought
closed forever on this world.
Burning tears came 10 his own eyes.
and he sobbed aloud. In the desoIation
OF his sorrow he had not wept He had
hardened TO meet the blow But now a
thousand tender memories stirred sud
denly within him. He felt life wake
again. With a poignant pain.
George had not told him OF the child
not even this But he had been
on hts way home. he had wanted to tell
him, perhaps by word Of mouth And
REGARD Travis felt how this would have
strengthened their natural bond he
would have forgiven George evervthing
his marriage and all. and they could
have had simple family happiness To-
gether, forgetting the rest Georges wife
should have been made welcome. too.
for Georges sake. and stiu more for tho
chIld's.
Well. and now? = He had already
formed 10 himself the image or the
grandchiid-a child beautiful and CAV as
George had been. TnE belonged TO him.
il was already a part Of HIM. as his inn
sgination seized upon T. Life and ego
tism were strong IN his old hbers yet.
His loneliness ROW frightened him. Il
was certain that he could not let 90 this
consolation. this hope.
He had been standing still for some
time; now he turned and walked back
slowly to the clearing. His mind was
rather Sbnfused. but one idea was clear.
and his purpose became more definite as
he approached yhe kOuse. he Wens
straight up TO the room where ne knew
he should md Ysabel She had fallen
asleep in a chair He did not want 20
wake her. but she woke OF herself and
looked up al him. with her great fright
ened eyes. Then he asked her 20 come
downstairs with him He took her hand
as she rose from the chair and put the
shawl about her shoulders that she had
dropped and they went down together.
Il was getting late. the fire had burned
down into a handful OF red Goals. and
some feeling OF the frosty night began
20 make itself felt IA the room
Travis went straight 10 his point. with
the force OF desire. 0f conviction, that
usually got him his own way.
"Ysabel sit down here and listen 20
me. I have something important that
want 10 say 10 YOU
he put her into a chair near the FIRE and
sat down himself. leaning over the table
that stood between them. There was a
lamp with a white shade or the table.
and the harsh light showed Ysabers deli
cate pallor and the strong lines OF the
old mans face. He looked at her keenly.
yet with a new feeling FOR her. For the
nrst time he saw that she was charming.
that her whole small person was renned.
her bearing gentle. and this made bis
way much easier
I want you. YsabeI." he said. TO 80
home with me I want you TO come 70
ms house and live there. / am ali alone.
viii do all / can for you-aN / can 20
make you comfortable.
The color came into the girls face as
he spoke and she shrank back in her
chair. while he leaned eagerly toward her.
No she said family Il think I'd bet
ter go home. II should be a burden 70
you
Her face was more definite than her
words Travis saw repugnance there and
bewilderment az his sudden change.
you don't understand, Ysabel," he said
'T want you 10 come You couldn't be
a trouble 70 me. I've got great empty
house and lot OF servants that have
nothing 20 do I'm lonely there And
there's nobody in the whole world that
care about enough 20 have them with
me"
But" she said. after a pause. looking
more distressed. I don't see why you say
this 10 newly you ask me this. unless
Il IS &c be kind 20 me. But I don't want
you 70 think need it'll don't care about
IL. / would rather go back 10 my
mother.
yes. 7 see. YsabeI; you feel that Tw
Just a stranger. But I am not. and Il
isn't as though you could be happy there
a. home. I know you were not happy
there"
No said YsabeL sadly. but don't
care now so much. My mother always
tries 70 be kind 70 ne-and I don't mind
the others now.
Her large eyes became fixed. she looked
over the old mans head and seemed 10
forget him. He saw that she meant
what she said. and her opposition made
him more sure OF what he wanted.
Then. Tsabel" he urged, will you
come for me. for my sake? II it's indif-
ferent 10 you. you ought 10 be willing 20
come. tor want Il more than can tell
YOU
painful color flushed ell over the
girls face
But Why" she cried. You didn't at
first Why do you want me now"
Il don't know altogether why. but
do. feel differently about II. II sup
pose Il is because II you are with NE
you and-and the child-it viii seem as
though I had not lost him altogether.
Ysabcl, didn't he send me any message
not even a word2 On. my son. NY sOn!'
Travis threw his arms out on the table