Year: 1874

body called her Matte but Paul-s.


rocking with her foot as she knitted


blue wooden stocking for the baby


father. There was a knock at the Ia


open door.


I have got on the wrong road; wi


you be kind enough to direct me I


the nearest way to the villager said


voice, and stranger stepped in. Sh


rose to give him the required direc


ton, but stopped short, while he cam


quickly forward.


| 'PaulP


Mattel


His face lighted up, and he reache,


out his arms to draw her to him. Witt
a surprised, panied look she drew
back.


Mr.. Gardener, this is most unex
pected meeting.


Mr.: Gardener T he repeated Mat
tie, what do you mean?'


Don't call me Matte, if you please,
she replied with dignity. My name il
Phillips


'Phillipsp he echoed, are you mar
ried?'


These are strange words from you
Paul Gardener. Did you think i
was waiting all this time for another
woman's husband? That / was keep
ing my faith with one who played me
false so soon?


Played you false! l have not. l
have come as l promised you. The
two years are but passed, and | am
here to claim you. Why do you greet
me thus? Are you indeed married,
Matte Grey?


She was trembling like an aspen
leaf. For an answer she pointed to
to cradle. He came and stood before
her with white face and folded arms.


Tell me why you did this? Didn't
you love me well enough to wait for
meY


She went and unlocked drawer
and took out newspaper. Unfolding
it and finding the place, she pointed to
it with her finger, and he read the
marriage notice.


What of this p he asked, as he met
her questioning, reproachful look.
oh, Mattel you thought it meant me
1t is my cousin. am not married,
nor in love with any one but you


Are you telling me the truth? p she
asked in an eager, husky voice, and
then be replied 1t is true, she gave a
low groan and sank down into a chair.


oh, Paul forgive mel / didn't
know you had a cousin by the same
name. | ought not to have doubted
you, but twas there in black and white,
and this man, my husband, came, and
[ married him..


With bitter tears be told how it
With clenched hands he
walked to and fro, then stopped beside
the cradle and bent over the sleeping
child. Lower he bent till his lips
touched its wee forehead, while he
to himself, 'Mattie's baby


Then he turned and kneeling before
her, said, in a low voice, 1 forgive
you, Matte, be as happy as you can
He took both her hands in his, and
looked steadily, loving into her face.
His lips twicbed convulsively, as he
rose to his feet. i have no right here
you are another mans wife. Good |
by-God bless you 7


He turned as he went out of the |
door, and saw her standing there in
the middle of the room, with arms |
He went back and put |
ting his arms around her, pressed one |
kiss on her cheek, then left the house |
never looking back.


And she went down on her knees
beside her sleeping baby, and prayed |
for strength to bear her great trial. |
They never saw each other again.


Seventy years old Her stalwart |
sons and bright-eyed daughters re-
her as loving, devoted moth
er, her grayheaded husband as most |
faithful wife.


Never was woman more patient |
and kind, and as good housewife as |
ever was, he said, as he brushed the |
back of his old brown hand across
his eyes, while looking down On the
peaceful face.


And not one of them ever knew of
he weary heart and broken hopes that
mad died in her breast, nor ever dream
ID of the sad hope she had borne
through life.