Morris tribune., 1911-08-04

almost buried from sight among the
tall trees which surrounded it. The
door stood open, and motioning the
official to wait outside, she entered un-
announced man at the farther end
Of the room looked up startled at her
appearance. His dark eyes shone out
weirdly from white haggard face,
to hear.
"Ah!" he exclaimed. "The mother"
The girl did not reply to this, but,
coming forward, placed the baby's shoe
upon the table between them.
u have brought this back to you,"
she said quietly, "and have a reason
for asking how it came to be found
here"
"This shoe was worn by my boy.
How old was he? Two, or three per-
haps, and yet-a manly little fellow.
We had a pretty big estate back there,
and he delighted in following me
about, loved to ride upon a horses
back when would hold him, or, better
still, to sit before me on the saddle
as we cantered wildly about the fields.
These rides were a source of torture
to his mother, and / would laugh at
her fears as she stood, tense and
white, waiting to have him safe in her
arms again.
1--WE promised to give them up for
her sake, but the boy coaxed very
prettily one day for-'just one more
ride, and l yielded, vowing that this
would be the last time" The man
gazed unseeing through the doorway.
"1t was the last time," he continued
huskily. Il shall never know how it
happened-the little body slipped sud-
denly from my grasp and lay motion
less upon the ground When l stopped
mother was there before me, and at
the accusing light in her eyes | drew
back afraid. She bore him tenderly
into the house, and when | would have
gone to her she repulsed me bitterly.
All night long waited outside my
boys door as the physician watched
at his bedside
How is he?" l asked at dawn, and
the old doctor shook his head gravely
and clasped my hand in sympathy.
Later a note was handed me. l read
it over now when the longing to go to
her becomes unbearable.
"'You have killed my child she
wrote, and l will never willingly see
your face again
$50 lost them both. It did not take
very long to arrange my affairs, to
make sure that her future would at
least be provided for. Then l came
away, travelling abroad a greater part
of the time, trying to forget, or spend
ing the summer months in this silent
place, where write my books and
further my experiments undisturbed.
I did not realize my depth of loneli-
ness until met that little lad of yours
and sought to keep him at my side. A
host of memories came thronging back
at the sound Of his voice. | showed
him my collection of golden butter
flies. A strange madness seized mel
could not net him 60"
he arose, and his tone was calm ''The
child has been content, waiting for
mother to call for him. He is asleep
down there in the little shack that |
use for experiments. will bring him
to you."
He laughed again harshly as he
turned toward the door. II shall be
under arrest, no doubt. Concealing a
child for two days will be rather diff
ficult matter to explain"
The girl put forth her hand impul.
sively. looking up with tear bright
eyes, Bring the child she said, land
leave the rest to me-"
The detectives face expressed
amazement as the man returned carry
ing the boy. Bobbie greeted the girl
joyously, but his little arms did not
loosen their hold.
the official This man is the boys
father. He has been spending some
time here in order to pursue certain
course of study, though we did not ex-
pect to find him at this exact spot The
child is quite safe in his care, you see.
and l will return with you presently !
to end bis mothers suspense"
The detective hesitated and then |
quietly withdrew, and the girl laughed |
unsteadily as the mountain mans"
eager, questioning eyes met hers.
''It is all true" she said gently. |
"Your child lived, and that cruel note |
was written when the worst was fear
ed, written in moment Of despair. |
Since then Elizabeth has been break |
ing her heart in bitter repentance. AS
she told her sad story / secretly de- |
termined to find you. This seemed a
dfscouraging task; but, hearing that you |
had been located in these mountains, |
I persuaded Elizabeth to take this |
trip under pretense of benefting her |
health. hoping desperately the while |
that some fortunate chance might lead |
IN y,1o