The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1862-07-31

mo other hour VIII do. You have no en-
gagement that will be allowed to interfere wifi
those | make for YOU 'z.'a
Robert was about to answer, perhaps angri
ly, when he caught glimpse of his mother
Her face was of an ashy hue, and a large teal
was trembling in her eye. He turned hastily
away, and was hurrying along the hall; bu
before he had reached the street door, hel
hand was on his arm, and she whispered in his
ear:
Meet your father at nine, as he has hidden
you, Robert, and do not, for my sake-fol
your mothers sake, Robert-do not say any.
thing to exasperate him.
DO rot fear, mother, he answered, in A sub.
dued tone then, as the door closed behind
him, muttered. He will be exasperated
enough with little saying, if his business is
what | suspect What fool have been
mad-mad / wish | had told him at first,
without being driven to it, through waiting ;
but now, will make one more attempt-des-
perate it must be, and then, if the worst
comes, he will only punish me. That I can
bear patiently, for deserve it /; but it would
kill my poor mother--this he must not tell
her.
Mrs. Lane started nervously at every ring
of the door bell that evening, and when az
nine she heard it, she could not forbear step
ping into the hall to see who was admitted
1t was her husband, and only waiting to in
quire of the girl if Robert had yet come in, he
passed on to the library. Mrs Lane found it
more difficult than ever to sustain converse
tiOn she became distracted nervous, aud
when the few evening visitors departed, she
was so manifestly relieved that Ella inquired
in surprise if anything had been said or done
to annoy her. 1t was past ten and Robert had
not yet appeared. Finally the bell was pulled
violently, and she fastened to the door her.
self With livid lip and bloodshot eye her son
stepped to the threshold, and starting at sight
of her. he hurried away to the library without
giving her another glance How slowly passed
the moments to the waiting mother How she
longed to catch but a tone of 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 we'll known severi-
ty. few minutes passed (they seemed an
age to her,l and then she heard the door of the
| library thrown open, and moment after
quick light step sounded upon the stairs-it
was Roberts.
You are not going out again, my son?' she
inquired.
Father will tell you why I go, dear mother
said the boy, pausing, and pressing her hand
affectionately. I must not wait to answer
questions now He passed on till he reached
the door, then returning back, whispered,
be at Mrs. Hindman's tomorrow evening
mother and before she had time TO ask a
! question or utter an exclamation of surprise, he
had disappeared up the street
But poor Mrs. Lane was soon made acquain.
/ ted with the truth. Mr. Lane was somewhat
vexed with hlmselffor not perceiving his sons
| tendency to error before, and like many others
he seemed resolved to make up in decision
what he had lest in blindness. 1t was this
which had caused his sharpness when he made
the appointment, and he considered his dignity
compromised when nine clock passed and his
son seemed resolved to act in open disobedi>
ence to his command When the culplit ap
peared' ne demanded peremptorily full con-
fesslon, and Robert gave it. He had fallen
into gay society, then into vicious, and he was
not the one to occupy a minor position any
where Wine and wit had reduced him, and
in an evil hour he sat down to the gaming ia
BILE. He had played at first for trivial stake
then more deeply, and had that night plunged
in almost past extrication. At any time Mr.. |
Lane would have been shocked, now he was
exasperated, and spoke bitterly. At first Rob-
ert did not retort for he had come in resolved
on confession and reformation but finally re-
pentan ce was drowned in anger and he an |
swered rs a son should not. particularly as an
erring son should not. Then few more
words ensued, unreasonable on both Sides
Mr.. Lane asserting that debts SO contracted
were ulSHUn6SG OUeSg ana SHOUIQ not be paid,
and Robert declaring that they should be paid
if he gained his life long to win the money; till
finally the old mans rage became uncontrolla-
ble 1t was in obedience to his fathers COM I
mand that Robert left his house that night with
an order never to cross its threshold again
For two or three weeks Mrs Lane, now and
then of an evening, met her son at the houses
of her friends, and then he disappeared almost
entirely. Since the first disclosure she had
never mentioned Roberts name to her husband;
and Ellen only knew that some angry words !
had estranged her father and brother for
time she was enviably ignorant of Roberts
guilt and danger
| The evening on which our story commences
Mrs. Lane had intended to spend abroad with
her daughter, but had been prevented by the
receipt Of the note before mentioned. Robert
| had never been home since he was command sd
to leave it and, though anxious both about the
cause and result, she could not but be reioiced
at the thought of seeing him again in her own
private sitting room. She had many things
too, to learn respecting his manner of living,
and his intentions for the future.
! While Mrs Lane walked up and down her
little sitting room, wishing that ten O'Clock
would come, her son entered his small, scanti-
| ly furnished apartment in decent boarding
house, and throwing himself 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, care
fully primed it. and laid it beneath his pillow
Immediately, however, he took it out, charged
1t heavily, and laying it on the table, folded
his arms, and gazed upon it, muttesing, cit
may be needed when least expect it, have
at least one friend while this is by Then,
muffling himself up, he hurried into 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 other signal of recogni-
ton Robert inquired after Mrs. Lane In
moment afterwards he leaned his forehead on
his mothers knee.
is it an new trouble, Robert? p she inquired
tenderly any new-guiI ? she whispered,
bending her lips close to his ear, and placing
her arm over his neck. Tell your mother,
Robert, she will help you. oh, Robert, you
know she will love you and cling to you
through ALL
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
sunk and bloodshot; that round, rosy cheek,
which her lips had loved to meet, had grown
pale and thin, and in place of the gay, care
less smile, had arisen looks of anxiety and bit
terness.
L shall break your heart, MOTHER he said.
sorrowful!y, and poor little Elias too! Oh,
it is a dreadful thing to murder those one loves
best l never meant to do it try to remember
that, dear mother, whatever comes
L do believe it, Robert
'Ah you know only small part yet but
5 I could not go away without seeing and tell,
: ing you. knew you would learn it from 9TH
ers.'
: But surely, Robert, you have nothing worse
to tell me ihaa l know already 2
e You know the night my father summoned
: me to his library? had told my companions
E it should be my last among them; promised
o myself so, and 1 repeated it to my father, and
r I would have kept my promise 1 would 1t
|, did seem to me dishonorable to refuse to pay
d those debts. l left him, and then / was des
e perate. l was determined 10 haze the rnnnaH