The Jewish herald. (Houston, Tex.) 1908-1914, 1910-12-29
No. IS

Little Robert, my NAME too, is Robert. Isn't
that nicel'
!" No. he replied, stridly, I don't make
mama cry.
II made no answer, only whispered to her to
caution the little fellow against speaking of
my visit before his father From her look /
knew she would take that he should not.
This gave me fresh hope. But / saw her
thoughts were not of me. Almost without
realizing what she did, she opened the door,
and, with her babies about her, waited for me
to pass out l took offense, bowed rever-
emily and left the house"
CHAPTER VIII.
"The next day, little before noon 1 was
seized with a desire to finish up the business in
her own home. l wanted to see her in the sur
roundings of the previous day. The domestic
aspects of her humble life drew irresistibly
to her. felt | would miss the baby from her
arms, the little ones from her side. They had
all become dear to me, part of herself.
so phoned when alone in my office. |
knew / startled her, from the tone in which
she returned my greeting Then l asked her,
trying to control the tenderness which stole
into my voice, May l this after
noon and save you the trouble OF trip down
town.
The question seemed to throw her into a
perfect panic of fear. No no, Mr.. Clemens,
she. exclaimed; please don't come. Really,
really, you must not. l will be at the office in
a little while. | am getting ready to come
right now.
q I hear from your tones that you are just
trembling with fear. l don't understand of
what you afraid. Surely you feel that
mean no harm to you or yours
:" Oh, Mr.. Clemens, | know that, but it is
best for to come to the office
But suppose L insist coming out; will
You give your reasons for forbdding my
doing so
Don't you understand Mr. Clemens and
j felt she was trying to keep her voice from
faltering, that this is very closely settled
neighborhood, and your visits may create
favorable comment Yours is no ordinary per-
sonality, and you will surely attract attention
to the house. / know you would not willingly
lay me open to gossip. So please do not come
out. have just thought maybe mama could
come over and finish the arrangements you in
tend to make. Her voice frightened consider
ably she made the suggestion. But this
would not have suited me at all, So l answered
decisively, No, indeed, / will consent to no
proxy. II may not visit you, then will await
you here at noon. You must not disappoint me.
No. sir, l will not she replied, in tone
of resignation. Is that all MIR. Clemens I?
II still have few minutes. There is no
one here in the office Are you too busy to
talk to little longerg II you only knew
how much the sound of your voice means
to me, you would hesitate little before cutting
me so short.
80, Mr.. Clemens, please don't say that. You
know it is all dreadfully wrong, and you cant
imagine how you brighten me-
" Poor little woman, my words to her
as tender breath. Don't conjure up any un-
necessary fears. I'll not worry you any longer.
Be sure and come at twelve
:" Il will Goodbye
" Goodbye my darling The parting words
were hardly more than whisper but / knew
she heard and understood
She told me afterward when we were better
acquainted, that after my visit she was SO
taken aback and bewildered that she neglected
all her wonted tasks. To her husband she ex
cused her nervous excitement and abstraction
by telling him that he mother was not feeling
well and had sent for her. He let this pass
without comment, But the new turn affairs
had taken left her all at sea as TO how to meet
my advances.
Had she been of nature less frank and
pure, knew she would have been exceedingly
tlattered by the attentions desired to show her
But knowing only undivided attachment to hel
family ties, she felt as a bird ensnared. 2lss
said l seemed 10 have set n trap for her, ane
she saw way out. But she confessed with
blush of confusion that was very dear to me
that try she might to put me out of hei
thoughts all through that night / seemed &
stand before her and plead that for the sake o
my love for her she should let me assume al
responsibility of extricating her brother iron
bis difficulty. She was relieved TO see da,
dawn once more that her household task
would help to oblterate the thought Of me TO
time, But my telephone message upset wha
little composure she had mustered up in prepar
alton of her visit to my Office