The Detroit times., 1913-07-23
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CHAPT v.
(Contlnuedi

Yes"
Dear child, there's something very
fine about You. But our boy-our
only child. Aurelie We reared him
for very splendid idea--a noble man
hood. a brilliant career. We-l-Judge
Van Hart--can do everything for him
In this state The law-politics-he 8
coming back here next year and going
TO study and work hard in the Office.
And he has 80 money--nothing. He II
have 10 live at home and grind away,
and II will be years, Aurelie, before
he can marry. You never thought or
that. did you? Nor of all II might
mean 10 hm--his wife. How she
could help or hinder him. And not IN
the slightest way would you ever In
jure him. would you, dear? II you
knew your love hurt him. you'd hold
il back, Aurele, wouldn't you? You d
bid him go fight and make his way
and forget YOU can see all TINS
in you dear. You offered TO give up
this prize winning notoriety, as mgch
as YOU could for him. Why, child, its
heroic In YOU
"Oh. Mrs Van Hart"
What"
Tim not used to having people
talk like this to me-" Aurelie's eyes
were again filled You're so KIND
Just splendid! | never thought
never dreamed"
Hush" the lady whispered
fear they're coming Her hand CLOS
ed over Aurelie's. And you, dear
you'd not do "A thing. or say thihe
10 hurt him. You'd let him gore
fuse him II Won had too send MIN
or TO school and into his career 10
win Al he can win
oh. Mrs. Van Hart or course
would, I'd never let him KNOW
Id just be brave and laugh never
never. thought Of It,
For an instant the lady's cool blue
eyes narrowed in suspicion OF some
trickery. But Aurelie uprose now,
standing with her wide gaze fixed on
the door where her lover had gone
Into his world And she could nor
follow. There was no Cinderella slip
per for her here
Our boy" the mother whispered
III you could know-could dream
what he means to us. Aureie. His
father--his family
The girl listened dumbly The
lady's voice was breaking now: and
Mrs. Van Hart moved from her state
Is manner was something Aurele
could not imagine apart from an I'M
thinkable tragedy.
And you're his mother" she burst
ont 'Of course | know, Mrs. Van
Hart. I'm a regular little heather,
but | know, must have had
mother, sometime, for she left me
this"-she raised the rosary from
under her chin-"Uncle Michigan says
| had IL when he done stole me TO
occupy the land
The lady nodded sympathetically.
She took Aurelies hand. Dear,
want to show you something She
led the girl across the room softly
and by the grill and curtains of the
door they stopped His people, All
relic" she whispered: his life and
place. There-hes dancing now,
Then a mircle came to Aurelie.
Something that I'm all her wild pas
sio- and Jealous freedom OF the south
she had not dreamed could be. She
saw Harlan dancing with Elise Dick
nson. saw him pass in the throng.
the Waiting couples. the figures OF
dainty girls i'm white and pink and
dreamy and exquisite, calling 10 her
heart all she had read or felt might
be of light and laughter and good
rcss-al that one with a soul 10 love
would love. even as one starved Saw
and was unmoved by jealousy, by
passion by resentment or desire.
ONLY she felt some pure and lofty
pity tug her heart, whether for Mrs.
hz~
could not tell Only she no longer
ielt the little fool, absurd In her pride.
but as though she had accomplished
some wonderful thing that raised her
above every one, even In this great
lady's eyes.
Yes. she could loko dumb and clear
eyed on Harlan dancing with Elise,
and without desire or evil. She drew
back and held the curtains down and
nodde dto the mother.
I'm afraid" she said-'Tll tell him
So She moved toward the veranda
door across the room and there she
nodded again IF he loves me, Mrs.
Van Hart. he'll come back to me.
anyway. II 1t was years and years
But ! won't let him-never-uever-
never!"
Then, "a she turned to go. she was
conscious that Harlan was in the
other door. Harlan, and behind him
the laughing group OF dancers. He
saw her just as she stepped into the
cool October dark. and midway. I'M
der the lights. his mother. gracious.
smiling turned TO the guests In vel
come. And a great fear shot across
his face. He checked cry az he
broke from Miss Dickinsons arm
and dashed across the ROOM But
quick as he was. his mother was be-
fore him. In the doorway. blocking
his egress. yet carelessly, unnoted
her arm to the frame.
Mother" he shouted. What have
you done?"
For answer she looked al him. And
Aurelie. outside. wrath melting In
the moonlight under the naples. turn
ing her head, saw the mothers face
II was tense with a desperate and
beautiful hardness, convulsed with
horror. yet controlled as by the art
OF an actress: and her slender figure
was a steel In spring set against him
Aurelie gave a gasp OF admiration as
she fed--terror and admiration, for
II was as II Harlan was about to
strike the woman In the doorway.
What have you done?" he whis-