Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-07-11

way | was sort OF praying for those
two children. Foolish isn't 1t? I'm
sorry | told you. 1t sounds nutty to
me when stop to consider it" Pope
stirred uneasily under Adoree's gravely
speculative eyes. "Loreleis all right"
Adorae nodded. ITS a boy" There
WAS n moment of silence. did you
ever see n brand-new baby?"
Murder, nor
Miss Demorest's gaze remained bent
upon Pope, but it was focused upon
great distances: her voice when she
spoke was hushed and awe-stricken
"Neither did until this one | held 1t!
held It III my arms. OIL was fright
ened, and yet seemed to know just
what to do and-and everything. 1t
was strange. It hurt me terribly. FOR,
you see. di'at know what babies
meant until tonight, Now | know
PoDe saw the shining eyes suddenly
MI and threaten to overflow: instead
of the grotcsquclv overdressed and ar
tificial stage favorite he beheld only
a yearnng woman whose face was SOL
tened and gloriticd rs by vision.
II didn' know you cared for chill
lren."
Adoree shruggcd the beads at her
throat clicked barbarously. Neither
did I. but | suppose every woman does
II she only knew it. Tonight ! began
to understand what this ache inside OF
me means" Her gaze came back ana
ccntcred upon his face, but it was
frightened and panic stricken i've
sacrificed my right to children"
How can you say"
'Oh. you know it rs well as | DO.
A flush wavcred in the speakers
cheeks. then fed. leaving her white ana
weary. you, of all men, must under
stand. I'm notorious. I'm a painted
woman. wicked woman-thc wicked
est woman in the land-and that repn-
tation will live in spite of anything |
can do" She began TO cry now IN a
way strange to pope's experience.
Pope's habitual restraint all at once
gave way. "Nonsensew he exploded.
"1he thing that counts is what YOU
are. not what you seem to be. | know
the truth
Now there was nothing sufficiently
significant about these words to bring
light Of wonderment and gladness tc
the girls face, but her tears ceased as
abruptly rs they had commenced, and
noting the slowly growing radiance OF
ncr expression. Campbell was stricken
dumb with fright at the possible conse
| ouences Of temerity. The knowledge
of his shortcomings robbed him of con
! fidencc and helped to confuse him.
.Adorec rose. For moment she
stood looking at him with a peculiar
tender smile, then took him by thu
lapels Of his shapeless coat ana drew
his thin face down to hers.
TN not going to let you back out,
she declared. firmly. You asked me
didn't you?'
"Adoree! No, no. Think what yol
are doing" he cried, sharply.
But she continued to smile up int
his eyes with a gladness that intoXl
Gated him.
She Struggled closer to him, murmur
ing, cozlly: II don't want to think
wen have plenty Of time to thinl
when we're too old to talk. Now. jus
want to love YOU as hard as you hav'
been loving me for the last 81,
months"
To all young fathers there comes
certain reimbursement Of values. T.
Bob, who had always led h selfish
thoughtless existence, 1t was at frs
bewildering to discover that his plac
at the head of his household had bee
usurped by another. Heretofore he ha
always been of supreme domestic i'm
portance, but now the order of thing
was completely reversed, IL not hope
lessly jumb!cd. First in consequence
came this new person, tiny and vastl
tyrannical because Of It's helplessnes'
then the nurse, an awcsome person
sort of oracle and regent combined
who ruled in the name and stead OF tn
new heir. I.orelei herself occupied II
least she shared the confidence Of til
nurse and the doctor, and ranke
above the cook and the housemald. bi
not so Bob. Somewhere ut the foot {
the list he found his own true place.
Now, strange to say, this novel a