The Washington herald., 1914-05-27
ma pz1sIAI GARDEN

9train tnem-tftckloo ooWu On tuo uuuh-
ed face Of the child. Her arms were
bound about him tsnderly. protectingiy.
as II she woul6 shisld him from all lies
pain and sorrowA She felt she could do
no more than hold him close to her
heart and let him feel the mother love
that pulsated In II
The little doctor bluntly honest man.
had told her he could do nothing more.
He had given his services freely and with
out thought OF reward. Tor long years Of
practice among tensmnt people had
taught him the uselsssness OF trying to
keep books and render bills, Now he
had done all that his science enabled him
to do. but perhaps Q specialist could
He had not finished the suggestion. for
he knew a specialists services were more
expensive than q poor violinist's wife
could afford. And 20. with sigh and
few kind words. he had taken his case
and departed.
Slowly the baby's walls trailed on into
silence. She was still holding him close.
and she could see a peaceful expression
and the flicker of a smile creep into his
face From the next room came low
strains Of music that always melted into
the silence. Her husband was playing
their old favorite, 'In q Persian Gard
en-" 1t was a low vibrant murmur, Ike
that Of sleepy waves moaning out the
eternal mystery Of the Sea-
The baby slept ntfuliy. The mother
smiled family and tucked the clothes
about him. Still the melodies trailed In
from the other room, luiling, coaxing.
stirring the undertow of vast depth. She
listened intently, and her eyes were
bright and tender under their glistening
fringes. With the tuneful beggary OF
that song Gerald had won her heart.
LII
ness and fortune that could have been
hers and made her eager to follow him
wherever his winding road might lead
She stepped into the other room. crept
up softly behind her husband and wound
her arms about his neck. He glanced
up to her with eyes that were boytsh,
impetuous and dreamy. and continued
playing. Their life had brought many
bitter trials. but In their darkest hours
'In a Persian Garden with its flower
scents, its plaintive sweep Of wind and
moaning Of moonlit waters, had helped
them forget.
He laid the violin aside, and she sat
down on his knee He loved her with a
passion as dreamily tender and as mas
terfully strong as the melodies he coaxed
from his instrument
'T think the baby is BETTER she said,
but there was no hope In her voice He
fell asleep while you were playing"
He caressed her hand in silence. Then
he said: II wanted to play It once more"
Once moreg'
yes. sweetheart. You must go back
to your uncle. And you must be brave,
hungry and poor a. long as We were
we'll Now-we must do II for the baby.
His voice quavered. though he tried to
speak firmly. She sat tense and terribly
calm, looking at him with big. per-
picked eyes. Your uncle will give you
money as soon as you give me up, and the
baby will have the attention he needs
and-after a while, maybe. you Hill-for-
get me and be happy
She laughed hoarsely, a cold hysteric
laugh. "Never!'' she cried Don't you
know I love you too much for that?
Don't YOU know" Her voice faltered,
and she clung sobbing to his breast
He stroked her hair gently. ITS for
the baby's sake" he murmured in a voice
hosrse with suffering. Maybe 1t would
be easier If 1 went out for a while. When
| return you-will not be here"
No. no, nor she cried, but he freed
himself gently from her arms, took his
violin and stepped to the door. She flung
herself in his arms and sought to- re-
slFdln MIN WIN hisccs o1Ao hNA SooS.
"Remember-we are doing It for the
baby" he groaned and stumbled from
he ROOM Her lips still felt the quivering
.ouch of his last kiss. A wall issued from
he other room, and again mother love
.riumphed over all else, blotting out her
own agony of soul
He'll come back-he1l come back" she
TO herself as she tried to soothe
he baby's pain. The hot little face
.witehed and grimaced as she held the
,hild close to her own, feeling that now
he was all she had in the world
The door opened and a tall man in
,eavy fur coat and silk hat entered. For
few moments he looked In silence from
mother to child.
IT have come back to ask you once
more to be sensible, Mildred" he said |
I am asking you for your own good. /
an see it's no fun to be the wife of a
ramp violinist. Maybe you have already |
egretted that you disregarded my ad- |
ice" His eyes fitted knowingly over the |
heap and scant furnishings In the room. |
Baby sick, too, See
Clutching the child to her bosom, she |
confronted him in silence You must no |
onger consider yourself only" the man |
vent on. "You are responsible for a Door, |
Helpless baby. Did It ever occur to you |
hat IL he should die without having had |
roper care 1t would be nothing short Of
nurder?"
She started violently, stuns by his
Words mo, uncle; not that-donf say
hat" she begged.
He pursued his advantage ruthlessiy. /
eeing that she was beginning to waver.
Come home with me-" he urged. We'll /
ave the best specialist In the country for |
our baby. He'll get well. Remember. II
) your duty"
Suddenly she recalled what Gerald had
old her I'VE are doing It for the baby"
he child looked up at her pleadingiy. |
he man pointed seductively to the door
nd wealth and ease-and life for the
hid She moved about in . dazed.
the baby tenderly, donned q
heap little hat and followed the uncle
nto the waiting automobile.
Hes right-it would be murder" she
nurmured. "And Gerald wanted me to do
Z"
But in the days that followed. while
he baby was rapidly regaining his health
nder the care Of the fussy old specialist.
he began to realize the price she had
aid. Her face grew paler as the baby
egained the color of health. In the
Hence she found herself humming
matches Of ITn a Persian Garden" and
eli as II she had left behind her forever
II that the song meant. She wrote TO
;erald, but received no replies. Perhaps
g had left the rooms where they had
we'd, or perhaps. She did not hnish
he thought
Her uncle urged her to obtain . divorce
nd marry the foppish and slib-tongued