The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-09-20

hhoW tuut dtter uecuo Cduuot SomPSh'
safe. mother; but, If q life Of rectitude,
but
Robert paused suddenly, and his father
entered. A cloud instantly gathered upon
his countenance.
You here, sirrah! What business brings
you to the home you have dcsccrated3'
u came to see my mother, sir.'
1T is the last time then, said Mr.. Lane
sternly.
The last time = echoed Robert in a tone
Of mocking bitterness.
The last time!' whispered the white lips
of the mother as her husband left the room
and she slid t, the floor, lightly and unre-
sistingly. Bobcrt raised her mead to his boz
som and covered her pale faco with his tears.
Mrs. Lane was awakened by the warm
drops running on her face, and starting up
wildly she entrcated him to be gone.
u cannot go tonight, mother. ! waited
to see you, and 80 lost the opportunity. l
shall 60 to one Of the landings above when
leave here, and in the morning take the
first boat that passes
So deeply were they both engaged that
neither the merry voice of Ella in the door.
way or her step along the hall reached them.
She entered.
Robert! you here, Robert?'
But neither Mrs. Lane nor Robert spoke
the boy only strained his sister convulsively
to his heart.
ALAS my poor Ella, sobbcd Mrs. Lane,
'our Robert has come home for the last time
we part from him tonight forever
Forever = and Elias cheeks turned pale
as the white glove which she raised to put
back her curls from her forehead.
And Robert then made the same confession
to his sister that he had already made to his
mother.
You = exclaimed Ella. almost scornfully,
springing to her feet, you Robert Lane, my
mother! Is il so, mamma? Is my brother
q villain forger is no
Hush, Ella, hush = interrupted Mrs. Lane,
ut is for those who have hard hearts to con-
demn, not for you my daughter. There will
be insult enough heaped on his poor head to.
morrow at least let him have love and pity
here
PITY whom did he pity or love when ho
deliberately
Ella stood for moment, white and trem-
bling, and then Ainging herself into her
brothers arms, exclaimed, Il do pity you but
the disgrace may be avoided. Papa will, Of
course, shield his own name. / will 60 to
him directly
Suddenly breaking from him, she hurried
up the stairs. Along the hall she went, she
paused in dread. She could hear the heavy,
monotonous tramp,as he walked up and down
the room and, remembering his almost re-
pulsive sternness, she dreaded meeting him.
At last she opened the door and burst forth
Come down and see Robert, papa, come
and save him They will drag him away to
prison for forgery and you will be the father
of condemned criminal, and | his sister
o, do not lot him 90 away from usso. Come,
do see him, and you will pity him-you can
not help it,
Forgery, Ella! lie has not
He has, and you must save him. papa. for
your sake, for all our sakes =
DO you know this, Ella2 1t isnot true.
1t is miserable subterfugc to whecdle money
from his mother to squander among the vile
wretches whom he has preferred to us. No
send him back to his dissolute-'
'ls that the way to make him better, pa.
PAP inquired Ella, raising her head, and fix.
ing her eyes on him rcsolutely. You sent
him back to them before you shut the door
on him. There were none to say, Take
care, Robert and no wonder they have made
him what he is. Robert has committed u
dreadful crime, but II was when you, who
should have prevented it, had shut your heart
against him. II Robert is put in prison. |
would almost US soon be in his place as
yours
Ella Ella!'
lshould, papa. know you cannot do
wrong without feeling remorse. You must
forgive Robert, and spare him and us the dis.
grace of an exposure
Il will avert the disgrace while have the
power, Ella, but that will not be long, IL he
goes on at this rate. Do you know the sum
he asks?'
lie asks none. I ask for him the sum you
refused before
We'll, then, give him that, and bid him de-
part
'And may not tell him that you forgive
him?'
NO.
That you pity him''
NO.
May not say that when he is reformed
hc may come back to us and be received with
open hand and heart?'
Say nothing but what bid you and de-
part
Ella returned to her brother.
There is the money, Robert, ainging the
purse on the table; and now you must go
back with me and say to our father that you
are sorry you have made him miserable
He will turn me from the door,
And do you not deserve it,
Ella ! interposed the tender mother!
u do; that, and more.'