The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1861-11-09

was admitted. IL was her husband. ana,
only waiting to inquire of the girl if Robert
had yet come in, be passed on 10 the IL
!brary. -re-5 -; - ...r .ss.as,,k
Mrs. Lane found ii more dif6cult than
ever TO sustain conversation; she became
distracted. nervous, and when her few
evening visitors departed, she was SO man.
prise if anything had been said or done to
annoy her. 1t was past ten, and he had
not vet appeared Finally the bell was
i pulled violently, and she FASTENED to the
door herself. With livid lip and bloodshot
eye, her son stepped 10 the threshold, and
1 starting at the sight of her, he hurried
away to the library without giving her an
other glance. How slowly the moments
! passed TO the waiting motherl Y
/ How she longed to catch but note of
Il those voices both so loved. that she might
know whether they sounded in confidence
or anger What Roberts course had Been
she could not guess, but she knew that he
would be required to give strict account
of himself, and she dreaded the effect of
her husbands well known severity. A few
minutes passed (they seemed an age to
4 herr, and she heard the door of the library
thrown open, and moment after a quick,
light step sounded upon the stairs-lt was
Roberts.
"You are not going out again. my son?"
/ inquired she. -. MOI .a.
Father will tell you why l GO, dear
MOTHER" said. the boy, pausing and press
| ing her hand affectionately. 81 must not
wait to answer questions now" He passed
on till he reached the door, then turning
back, whispered. 'sBe at Mrs. l1inmau's
Tomorrow evening. motner;" and before
she had time to ask a question or utter an.
exclamation of surprise, he had disappeared
| in the street.
But poor Mrs. Lane was soon made ac-
! quainted with the truth. Mr.. Lane was
/ somewhat vexed with himself for not per-
ceiVing his sons tendency to error. and
like many others, he seemed resolved 10
make up in decision what he had lost by
! blindness. 1t was this that caused his
sharpness when lie made the appointment,
and he considered his dignity compromised
when nine O'Clock passed and his sun
seemed resolved on acting in open disobedi-
ence to his command. When the culprit
appeared he demanded peremptorily full
confession, and Robert gave it. He had
fallen into gay society, then into vicious;
| and he WAS not the one to occupy minor
position anywhere Wine aud wit hal re
duced him, and in an evil hour he sat down
to the gaming table. He had played at first
for trivial stake, then more deeply, and
had that night plunged in almost past ex-
trication. Az any time Mr.. Lane would
have been shocked; now he was exasperat-
ed, and spoke bitterly. At first Robert did
not retort, for he had come in resolved on
confession and reformation; but finally re-
pentance was drowned in anger, and he
answered as son, particularly as an err
ing son, should not. Then a few more
words unreasonable on both sides; Mr..
/ Lane asserted that debts 80 contracted were
dishonest ones, and should not be paid, and
Robert declared that they should be paid if
he gained his. life TO win the money; till
finally the old mans rage became uncon-
lrollable. It was in obedience to his faith
er's command that Robert left his home
that night. with an order never to cross its
threshold again. . .s...-
For two or three weeks Mrs. Lane now
! and then met her son at the houses of her
/ friends, of an evening, and then he disap
peared entirely. Since the first disclosure
she never men toned Roberts name to her
husband; and Ella only, knew that some
angry words had estranged her father and
brother for a time-she was enviabiy igno-
rant of Roberts guilt and danger.
The evening on which our story COM
mences, Mrs. Lane had intended to spend
abroad with her daughter, but had been
prevented by the receipt of the note above
mentioned. Robert had never been home
since he was commanded to leave it, and
though anxious both about the cause and
the result, she could not but be rejoiced at
the thought of seeing him again in her own
private sitting room. She had many things
| ~ al uip o.,a
j his intentions for the future.
i While Mrs. Lane walked up and down
her little sittipg-room, wishing that ten
o'clock would soon come, her son entered
his small. scantily furnished apartment in
/ decent boarding house. and throwing him
self on the only chair within it, he covered
his face with his. hands. For long time
he sat in this position; then he arose. and
taking down pocket pistol. carefully prim
ed it and lai1 on the table, folded his arms
and gazed upon it, mutiering: z+.'
). ''It may be needed when / least expect
it. / have at least one friend while this is
i by" 9
Then muf1ing himself up. he hurried in
TO the street and soon reached his fathers
door, where he stood in hesitation.
He rang. The girl started when she
| opened the door, but gave no other sign OF
f recognition. Robert inquired after Mrs
Lane. Ia a moment afterwards he leaned
i his head upon his mothers knees.
i "Is it any new trouble, Robert?" inquir-
ed she tenderly; .'and ew-guiLt?'' she
whispered. bending her lips close to his
ear. and placing the other arm over her
neck. "Tell your motber-she will help
you. o Robert. you know she will love
i you. and cling to you through it all
4 The boy raised his head. and now she
saw, for the first time. the change that had
come over him. His face was haggard. his
eyes sunken and bIoodshot; that round.
rosy cheek, which her lips had loved to
meet, had grown pale and thin, and in place
OF the gay. careless smile. had arisen looks
of woe and bitterness. -.-.-.
L 81 shall break you heart. mother" he
j said. sorrowfuEly, sand poor Elias too! o