"And then, little mother, by one of those inexplicable mysteries of nature she died when our baby was born.For a while the light of the world went out.I quit New York, gave up my profession and came here just to lie in the sun on this mountainside and try to pull myself together.I didn't think life could ever be worth living again.But it was.I foundabout me so much of human need--so much ignorance and helplessness-- so much to pity and love, I forgot the ache in my own heart in bringing joy to others.
"I had money enough.I gave up the ambitions of greed and strife and set my soul to higher tasks.For nine years I've devoted my leisure hours to the study of Motherhood as the hope of a nobler humanity.But for the great personal sorrow that came to me in the death of my wife and baby I should never have realized the truths I now see so clearly.
"And then the other woman suddenly came into my life.I never expected to love again--not because I thought it impossible, but because I thought it improbable in my little world here that I could ever again meet a woman I would ask to be my wife.But she dropped one day out of the sky."He paused and took a deep breath.
"I recognized her instantly as my mate, gentle and pure and capable of infinite joy or infinite pain.She did not realize the secret of my interest in her.I didn't expect it.I knew that under the conditions she could not.But I waited."He paused and searched for Mary's eyes.
"And you married her?" she asked in even tones."I have never allowed her to know that I love her." "Why?""She was married."
Mary threw him a startled look and he went on evenly:
"I could have used my power over mind and body to separate her from her husband.I confess that I was tempted.But there was a child.Their union had been sealed with the strongest tie that can bind two human beings.I have never allowed her to realize that she might love me.Had I chosen to break the silence between us I could have revealed this to her, taken her and torn her from the man to whom she had borne a babe.I had no right to commit that crime, no matter how deep the love that cried for its own.Marriage is based on the period of infancy of the child which spans the maternal life of woman.God had joined these twopeople together and no man had the right to put them asunder!" "And you gave her up?""I had to, little mother.On the recognition of this eternal law the whole structure of our civilization rests."Mary bent her gaze steadily on his face for a moment in silence.
"And you are telling me that I should be reconciled to the man who choked me into insensibility?""I am telling you that he is the father of your son--that he has rights which you cannot deny; that when you gave yourself to him in the first impulse of love a deed was done which Almighty God can never undo.Your tragic blunder was the rush into marriage with a man about whose character you knew so little.It's the timid, shrinking, home-loving girl that makes this mistake.You must face it now.You are responsible as deeply and truly as the man who married you.That he happened at that moment to be a brute and a criminal is no more his fault than yours.It was YOUR business to KNOW before you made him the father of your child.""I tried to appeal to his better nature that awful night," Mary interrupted, "but he only laughed at me!""You owe him another trial, little mother--you owe it to his boy, too." Mary shook her head bitterly.
"I can't--I just can't!"
"You won't see him once?"
She sprang to her feet trembling."No--no!""I don't think it's fair."
"I'm afraid of him!You can't understand his power over my will." "Come, come, this is sheer cowardice--give the devil his dues.Facehim and fight it out.Tell him you're done forever with him and his life, if you will--but don't hedge and trim and run away like this.I'm ashamed of you.""I won't see him--I've made up my mind." The Doctor threw up both hands.
"All right.If you won't, you won't.We'll let it go at that." He paused and changed his tones to friendly personal interest.
"And you're determined to leave me and take my kid away tomorrow?""We must go.I've no money to pay my board.I can't impose on you----""It's going to be awfully lonely."
He looked at her with a strange, deep gaze, lifted his stooping shoulders with sudden resolution and changed his manner to light banter.
"I suppose I couldn't persuade you to give me that boy?" She smiled tenderly.
"You know his father did leave his mark on him after all! The eyes are all his.Of course, I will admit that those drooping lids have often been the mark of genius--perhaps a genius for evil in this case.If you don't want to take the risk--now's your chance.I will----"Mary shook her head in reproachful protest.
"Don't tease me, dear doctor man.I've just this one day more with you.I'm counting each precious hour.""Forgive me!" he cried gayly."I won't tease you any more.Come, we'll run over now and see our neighbor's new bungalow before you go.You admire this one and threaten to duplicate it.He has built a better one.""I don't believe it." "You'll go?"
"If you wish it----"
"Good.We'll take the boy, too.He can drive his new wagon thewhole way.It's only half a mile.
