Page:Pacific Monthly volumes 9 and 10.djvu/38

 18 him. I did not hate him. I do not hate him. Even if he would he could never again be a part of my life. But he is my husband and the father of my boy. For my boy's sake, Heinrich may not marry tomorrow."

I believe the heart of the girl who knelt beside this woman, her arms about her, ached more for the wrong done the stranger than for herself.

"Madame," began Adele, brokenly, "it you have suffered so"

At that moment Heinrich himself appeared.

At sight of the stranger his face turned as white as marble. "Lisbeth!" he panted.

"It is I, Otto," and she rose, her magnificent figure seeming to heighten, but her full, rich tones expressing only pity. Heinrich shrank from her. He turned to me, but the wrathful indignation in my face must have been enough, for he left without a word. He left Tacoma forever.

Adele was so brave. Messengers recalled the invitations, and I put away the beautiful white things that my darling was to have worn.

Adele had suffered much in her life, but never like this.

Back again to the little cottage. We could not keep her. Pupils came for her training. She works slavishly and sings more wondrously than ever. Strangers who visit the church where she may be heard every Sunday morning go away wondering at the pale, fragile woman whose glorious contralto reaches within their very souls and sings out every grief they have ever known.