CHAPTER II. A MONSTROUS PROPOSITION.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 290, 15 August 1888, Page 6

CHAPTER 11. A MONSTROUS PROPOSITION.

Dr. Tuunbk did nob immocliatoly reply. lie was so indignant, so overcome by Uio startling and unnatural proposition that lie was voncloi'ocl specchloss. The knowledge that this woman, so beautiful and gifted, and who had, to all appearauco, unlimited wealth at her command, should desire to cast her oll'spring adrift upon the world, coldly throwing her upon tho mdi lib rent caro of strangers, was simply hoiriblo to him. Tho myslery, which, from tho first, ho had institictivoly recognised as attaching itself to this woman, was thickening about her. I There must, ho thought, bo some terrible secret connected with her life, which she was anxious and bound to conceal, or sho novcr could have contemplated such an unfeeling act, and lie could think of but one contingency that would compel her to adopt such cxtromo mcasuros. ' Madam, 1 lie at last said, and speaking with dignified reserve, 'I cannot refrain from expressing my surprise at your startling and — -I am compelled to say it—heartless proposal. It would be a most unnatural — a most rcprehcnsiblo proceeding. My wholo nature recoils at tho mero mention of it, and I can think ot but ono reason that would seem to make it ncccs.-ury for you to abandon your child in tho way you propose. Tho physician paused a moment, as if in doubt as to the propriety ol saying more. ' Well, and what may that be?' briefly demanded his companion, in a fcono that should ha\o warned him not to givo expression to his thought. 'Peihaps your littlo one has come info the world unpiotecLcd by tho tics ot wedlock, and thcicforc you dc&iie to conceal from everyone tho e\ idonce of ' Sho checked the words upon his lips with an imperious gesture. A vi\ id crimson rushed to her brow, suH'used her'neok, and seemed to extend to the very tips of her fingcus ; then the colour as quickly receded, leaving her patrician face ghastly pale. She threw up her proud head with a mo\cmuit ot exquisite giaco; an angry iii c leaped into her dusky eyes ; an cxpios sion of bcoin curled her beautiful lip?. c How dare you say such a thing lo me /l sho demanded, in a passiouato tone that had a tin ill of pain in it as well. ' But for you)- former kindness to me, I would never pardon you ! You ha\e a suspicion that 1 am not a married woman.' ' I could think of no other excuse for what you proposed legaufing your child,' leplicd the physician, meeting her flashing giant c calmly, and with a note of contempt in his \oiee, although he hat lcgicttcd having .spoken as he had. He l)cl'c\cd c\en now that &ho was acting at par. >She saw it, and again her face (lamed scarlet. Tlicn she dicw ff 1 0111 the tluid linger of her left hand a .superb bohtaiie diamond l iii'.r, and passed it to him. ' Examine that, ifjouploa.se,' sho com manded, bi icily and icily. He look it, and upon its inner sin face found en_ra\ed iutinychaiactcis, ' C. to I'J., Stpt. 10th, ISI - o»imn Yiuut Amoi'.' It had o\idcntly been given to her in September of the previous year. 'An engagement ring,' lie rcmaikcd, as he parsed it back to her with an air that p'ainly t-aid, ' That pioves nothing to your ad - . antagc. ' Madam bowed and then quietly but pioudly dicw horn the same finger a massive circlet of gold, which .she also handed to him. A diihky led surged to the physician's brow a^> ho lcceived and lealiied what ho had done, lie felt a3 if he had o fie red the fail woman an unpaidonablo insult. Thia ring was marked ' C. S. to E. E , Parh, Miuch L'jlh IS'l— ' 80l hcii decs pi oved an honom able engagement and a law lul maniago, the latter occuiing some se\en months subsequent to the fnuvcr, and Dr. Turner felt that he had got himself into a \cry unpleasant picdicament. ' I beg >cur paidon, madam.' ho said with Aisiblo contusion, but in a grave, i expect lul tone ; ' bub your very exbraoidinaiy piopusition nuibt be my apology for my unjust and offensive suspicion.' For a moment the lady regarded him gia\ely, bub with a little gleam of tiiumph in her dark eyes ; then with a shrug of her shapely shouideis, she lcplied : ' Perhaps ib was but natuial ; let it pass. I became a lawful witc, as you ha\Cbeen, ncaily a yca> airo, and mj r child has had honourable biith ; bub, for reasons which I cannot explain to you, 1 can never acknowledge her, and it becomes nccesbaiy for me to make some other piovi&ion for her.' ' liub ib is such an unnatura' thing todo,' persisted the doctor, with a deprecating qc r -tuio. ' (lianted ; but — it cannot bo helped,' replied the niothoi, In mly, an inflexible puiposo written on her tair young face. ' Allow me to inquire if yom husband is living? I Jr. Turner asked, aftei a moment ot silence. ' Excuse me : I cannot answer that question,' replied his companion with pale, compressed lips. 'Ah ! there has been some tioublc and a sepaiation, perhaps.,' thought the doctor ; then he asked : ' Do you think that he would uphold you in thus sacrificing your little one — his little one, to your sclfi&h purpose — to abandon her, as you propose, to the doubtful chaiity of a cold woild ?' An icy shiver seemed to run throughout j the woman's frame at this. Sho shifted uneasily in her chair, her white lips quiveicd, her hands were locked in a rigid, painful clasp, ' I tell you there are circumstances which make it absolutely necessary for mo to give her away,' she said, in a strained, unnatural voice, after an evident oflort at self-control. 'My husband would— is as helpless in tlie matter as myself.' I JL can conceive of no circumstances which should make tho well-being of your child of secondary importance, especially since you fuvs c assured me that you are a lawful wife, and it is evident that you have abundant means at your command. She is your own ilesh and blood, and it becomes your duty as a mother to give her a mother's love and caro. I eate nob what fancied or real obstacle stands in tho way, it should bo resolutely swept aside for the sake of both duty and humanity,' Dr. Turner argued, Avith impressive earnestness. ' You bimply do not know anything about the matter, st,' retorted his patient, with an angry Hash in her eyes, ' and if you please, wo will not discuss that point any further. ' Dr. Turner bowed a cold assent ; then as be returned the wedding-ring, which ho had retained until n&w, he remarked : 4 Tho name you have given here does not correspond with your husband's initials upon this ring.' The lady's lips curled in a littlo scornful smile. J ''Did you imagine that I would use my | true name in such a venture as this ?' sho I asked. l But that is neither here nor there,' she added, with an impatient toss of her head. 'Do you know of any institution in this city whore my child would be re- j ceived ?'

1 No, there is no public institution that would so far countcnanco your conduct as oo opon its doors to her, and I would nob dosignato it if there wore. Such places aro for childron who have no parents, or ior those whoso patents are too poor to caio for them,' the physician indiguantly ropliod. Thon, alter a short pauso, ho continued, | with great eaincstnc&s: | ' Let mo make- one last appeal to you, madam. You havo givon birth to a lovely littlo daughter, who bids fair to bo a child of whom any parent might well bo proud. It would bo a continual delight to watch her grow and dc\elop into womanhood, and she would no doubt be of the greatest comfort to you years hence, whon you begin to descend the Mil of lifo. Keep your child, Mrs Mar.ston, do not cast her off upon the doubtful care of strangers, to become you know not what in tho future. JjOvo and cherish her, nourish her innoconcc and purity, and do not, I beseech you, commit the irreparable wiong which you aro contemplating.' The woman beto:e him throw out her white jewelled hands in a spasmodic gesture in which impatience, pain, and anger were commingled. ' Spare your importunities, Dr. Turner,' she .said, coldly, ' lor 1 assure you it is only a waste of breath and sentiment on your part.' 'Have you no love for your innocent babe?' lie demanded, sternly. ' f ha\c not at? a/. / will not allow myself to become attached to hoi,' wa& the low, constrained reply. ' Jlavo you no pity ihon, that you thru.st her thus romor&ely from your bhclteiing cai c ?' 1 1 dioi'ld become {(ii object few vioic pili I 'ihh if 1 should keep her with me,' returned the incompiohensiblc mother. 1 1 cannot understand it. Poor child ! poor child !' sighed tho sympathetic and perplexed physician. ' Doctor,' said his companion, with a sudden stait, her face lighting with eager ness ' have you children of your own ?' ' No, madam. J .should consider my&clf bles-cd indeed if 1 had,' he sighed. ' Then \\ ill you adopt my daughter? I can assure you that there is nob the slightest taint upon her paientago, and it is only the forco of hard, obstinate circumstances that compels me to give her up. Your sympa thies seem to havo been enlisted for her. I am sure you are a good man, and 1 know that she would find a kind parent in you.' The man flushrd, and tears ioso to hit. 1 c\>e.s at thi.-> appeal. ( iMrs iMai.-.ton,' ho said, sadly, ' if your child had been borriM\ months earlier, and you had asked mo this question at that time, I should have answered you with eagerness in tho atlumati\c : but .she who would ha\e given tho little one a mothei's caie it- no longer in my home. She died tise months ago this UTy day, and ] havo no one else in my family to whom 1 could commit the babe.' 'Then what <h<itl I do?' murmtucd the woman, with knitted blows and stcrnlycompicked lip^. ' 1 can only think of one alternative that I would be willing to suggo&t,' 10 plied the doctor. ' What is that?' .she demanded, eagcily. 'Adwnti->o for pome young couple to adopt tho child. You will then havo an oppoitunity to select, a peimanent home for her, and escape tho an\ioby which her uncertain fate m a clnuitable institution would entail upon you. 1 should biipposo the meic thought of it would be toiturcto }o<\' ' Jtis,' replied the mother, with a quick, indiawn bicath, while a ncivous shi\cr lan oxer her. '1 Avill do it,' she added, the look of caie vanishing fioin her face, which had now become to tho high - minded ph^sican moic like the face of a beautiful liend than thabofa tender-hearted woman, l i willadveitisciu the ' Tiansciipt ' 10-monow morning, and will offer the sum of the bundled dollais to any respectable couple who will take the babe and piomisc to leai and educate her as their own I wonder why I did not think of that plan myself,' she concluded, with a sigh of iclief. ' I bhould propose omitting tho rewaid fiom tho advertisement,' obser\ed the doctor, with a slight curl of his lips. ' Why so?' ' Because in that caso you would be sine that \\hoe\cr applied foi her was actuated by a ical desue to have the litilo one; while, if money were oflercd, cupidity miglit be the main object in the application.' 1 Perhaps you aic light,' Mrs Marston observed, thoughtlully ; 'and yet T believe i shall ofler it. 1 shall, at all events, giso that amount to whoever adopts the child.' Sho then adroitly changed the subject, plying the physican with numeious questions regarding Boston, its attractions and advantage^, and so cfTectiiaUy led his mind In another direction, charming him with her laic conversational gifts, her evident cultuio and familiarity with both Amciica and Eiuope, that he spent a delightful hour with her, and temporarily forgot the contempt and lepulsion which ho had pic- \ iously entertained for her. When the clock upon the mantel struck four, he started up in .surprise, at which a sly smile curved his fair entertainer's led lips, for sho knew that she had hold him by the magic ot her fascinations, as she had meant to do. J>ut she arose also, and coidially extended her hand to him at parting, while she icmaiked, smilingly : ' 1 have neglected a very impoitant item of business, and came very near forgetting it altogether. If you havo with you the bill for your services to me, I shall be very hanpy to settle it.' Doctor Turner Hushed, and began to search his pockets, without appearing to notice tho proffered hand. At length ho drew a slip of paper from his diary and handed it to her. She smiled again as she noticed ths figuies upon it, and unlocking a drawer in the table near which they were standing, she took from it an elegant pin so, in which there appeared to bo a plentilul supply of both gold and paper money. She selected a bill and extended it to him. ' I am not able to change that for you, madam,' ho said, as ho glanced at it and saw that it was a hundred-dollar note. 'T do not wish it changed. JMcaso take it. Even then I shall ieel that lam deeply indebted to you,' sho returned, with an earnestness such as &he had not betrayed before during the interview. Again the dusky red rushed to tho doctor's temples. 'If it is nob convenient for you to hand mojubt the amount of my bill, yon can send mo a chequo for the sum later,' he said, coldly. Sho bit her lips with mortification, and then tears rushed into her eyes. ' Ob, it is perfectly convenient. Excuse me ; I did not intend to ofiend you, but I am truly grateful for tho kind attention you have bestowed upon me, and 1 shall always entertain friondly memories of yon.' Dr. Turner returned a courteous bow for the promise of ' friondly memories,' but remarked driefly : • 1 have b done my duty as a physician, madam.' An angry flush mounted to her brow as she counted five golden eagles from her purse and laid them in his hand.

• I know,' &he &aid, ' that you think I am a heartless monster in woman's iorm ; bub you would not, I am t>ure, it you could understand the .-trait that I am in.' Another bow was his only reply l > this. ] To could not gain bay lior statement rcgai cling hia estimate of hor character, and ho would not presume to inquire lurthor into bho myatciy fjurrounding licr. 'I should bo glad to retain your good opinion,' &ho jcsumcd, with a blight, depiecating 1 >. uf.tuio, 'lor you liavo been a good ftiond io mo in my necessity, but a stem fate compels mts to forego that. [ trust, howovcr, 1 thall sco you again before I lea-\e your city.' And again she extended her hand to him in farewell. 'If you veal me— if I can .so re, you in any way, command me,' J)r. Turner returned, politely, but with an emphasis which plainly indicated that he should not volunlaiily seek hoi society.