The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-10-08

d the solitary.
a A few years after the manuscript ha'
been found, a party, consisting OF thre
gentlemen and a lady, and two children
came to visit the Kings Cove. and t
them the individual who had found tn
papers related the story Of the hermit.
But your manuscript is imperfect
said one of them, and | shall supply 1T
deficiency The solitary mentions having
found Sir Peter Blakely in the presence o
bis wife, and he speaks Of words thai
passed between them. But you shall heal
all s.
Catherine said be, and be paused, as
though be would have called her by the
name of her husband, " I have come to
speak with you respecting your fathers
estate. | was brought up upon It; and
there is not tree, bush, or a brae
within miles, but to me has a tale OF happi-
ness and langsyne printed upon il, in the
hearts own alphabet. But now the charm
that gave music to their whispcrsis changed.
Forgive me, Catherine, but II was you that
as the spirit of the scene, converted every
thing into a paradise where ye trod, that
made it dear to me-. It was the hope, the
prayer, and the joy Of many years, that |
should call you mine-it was this that
made the breath of heaven sweet, and
caused sleep to fall upon my eyelids as
honey on The lips But the thought has
perished. ! was wrong 70 think that the
primrose would flourish on the harves: Sel!.
But, Catherine, your father was my guard
ian-I was deeply in his debt, for he was
to me as a father, and for big sake and your
sake, | have redeemed his property, and i
l shall bet is yours.
Lost ID wonder, Catherine was for a few
moments silent but She at length said
F" Generous man, it must net, it shall
not be. Bury me not-crush me not
beneath weight Of generosity which from
you | have been the last TO deserve. |
could not love, but have ever esteemed
you. | still do. But let not your feelings
hurry YOU into an act of rashness Time
will heal, if it DO not etface the wounds
which nov bleed ard you may still find
heart more worthy Of your own, with whom
to share the fortune Of which you would
deprive yourself"
+" Never, never" cried he, " little do
YOU understand me. Your image and your
only was stamped where the pulse Of life
throbs in my heart. The dream that
once cherished is dead nOw-my grey hairs
have awoke me from it. But | shall still
be your friend, yea, will be your husbands
friend and, il memory Of the past your
children sbal be as ny children. Your
husbands property is encumbered-throw
these il the fire and it is again bis. And,
5 he spoke, he placed the deeds Of the
mortgage On table b iore her.
Hear ne, nobiest and best Of friends"
cried Catherine, " hear me as in the presence
of our Great Judge. Think not that feel
the less grateful for your generosity, that
solemuly refuse your offers, and adjure you
to mention them not in my presence. As
the wife Of Edward Fleming, | will not
accept what Be would spurn. Rather
would / ton WITH the sweet OF my brow tor
the bare crust that furnished Us with
scanty meal; and if | thought that, rather
than share it with me, be would sigh aff r
the luxuries be has lost, | would say unto
bin, " 90, i are free, and hiding my
self from the world, weary heaven With
prayers for bis prosperity,
6 Ye talk in vain, as have SAID, 50 It is
and shall be, added he. And nov, fare
we'll. dear Catherine.
Stay, stay, leave me not thus !" she
exclaimed, and grasped bis arm. At that
moment her husband returned and catered
the room, and you know the rest. But.
Peter Blakely was not mortally wounded.
as the solitary believed. In a few months
he recovered, and what be lad promised to
do he accomplished. "
"Tbis is something new said the fisher
man who had found the manuscript aud
who told ye, or how DO ye know? if it be !
fair question"
81, !" replied be who hal spoken, "am
The Lewis to whom the paper was ad-
dressed"
: You, you" exclaimed the fisherman
" well that beats a., the like o that never
heard before"
% And J." said another, : am Sir Peter
Peter Blakely. the grey haired dreamer,
who expected to bloom beneath an October
sun" And be put a crown INTO tie hand
of the fisherman.
And l." added the third, g am the
solitary himself, and this my Catherine.
and these my children. lie whom l
though dead dead by my own hsnd-the
nan whom | had wronged-souGht for me
for years, and in this my hermitage that
was, be at length found me. It was the
grey dawn when | behed hun, and |
thought that the ghost Of the murdered
stood before me. But be spoke, be uttered
words that entered my soul. trembled
in bis presence The load Of my guilt
ness fell az weight upon me. 1 was
unable to SPEAK, almost 70 move. lie took
my hand and led me forth as child. In
my confusion the papers which you found
were left behind me. And now, when
happiness has shed its light around me.
have come with my benefaetor, my friend,
my Catherine, aud my children, to view tho
cell afmy Penitence." n rH. ..