The Lincoln County herald., 1870-05-05

neu with MORTON. lie ha0 not maze the
man his beyhood promised. Tho gay,
light.hearted youth had become sarcastic
and cynical. He was not fond Of fc / ale
society, and sometimes spoke snecriugly
|eof affection between the sexes. Co.dly
polite to oil, the inner temple Of his
heart seemed closed, and distruss guarded
the portal.
"Mo-ton, why DO you say thas2 Did
you ever care for her ?"
It was so unluke his father to ask such
. question, that he started On instant
before replying.
eyes, as l shall never care for another.
But she threw me away az an impedimcnt
in her path, 10 her mad career to position
aud wealth. IF she has gained the frat
the latter will surely come and if she is
grati6ed. her friends should not com.
plain; aud fog one, will not"
"You were SO young, Morton, when
she went away, that yoa ought to have
forgotten that boyish fancy, and long ere
this, have found one on whom to bostow
your heart and name"
perhaps But you sec l have not,
aud with my present estimate Of female
constancy you will not be troubled to set
up q separate establishment very soo8. "
That proud man looked on his son for
q moment, irresolu,e; but his love was
stronger than bis pride. The destroying
Of that letter he had ever regarded as but
removing dangerous play,hiug from his
child but this outraging Che feelings OF
a man was crime; and at last be bad
come to see it as such, and bowed bis
head for an Instant upon bis hands. The
son rose to 60.
"Come back, Norton" he said. "Did
| ever wrong you as child?"
"Never!" I" he replied in tones of sur.
prise.
"Then I wilf no longer as a man. l
thought was doing right! Though I
was taking step to enhance your happi.
ness and il l esrsd, as fear l did, it
was from my Jealous care Of you. l did
not think you would suffer nsch. or for
long. But find that l was wrong and
regret the uct. l broke up your corses-
pondsnce with Lucy Merryman."
"You, Father p"
"Yes, sept back the letter in which
she Informed you of the contemplated
removal. and gave her future address"
"And she has been left through all
these years to suppose the neglect was
mine ?"
! "Yes, but did not think II
"Eneugh She shall know now | l
will write uow-no, I will goI"
And the next train of cars that wen,
whirling through among the mountains
westward, numbered Morton Whitcomb
among its passengers.
Before leaving, the father had placed
sealed note in his hands, addressed to
Miss Lucy Merryman, and with TIC
words:
"You will not have to humble yourself
to accuse your father the note explains
ala"
Miss Merrymsu had not taken her place
in school since the death of her mother
and vas that day wandering listless and
sad, about the beautiful grounds sur.
rounding her uncle's residence.
She had succeedde ia all things bey ond
her most saaguipe expectations. As 9
teacher she was unrivalled aud she had
y host Of warm friends, and was treated q,
beloved daughter in her uncles house
that now boasted q second mistress. In
fact, had become all she had said sc
firmly, Il wili riso-I will succeed, and
the future must take care Of itselCr' ia
that little brown house on thst long age
spring morning. But was she happy
Her dear mother wss asleep under sods
yet green; and hiddee away 10 tho secret
chamber Of memory was thss early love
which had promised so much aud given SC
little.
She stopped to gather q flower, and a.
she turned, on rising, Morton Whitcoml
stood before her.
"Why had he come, If he could no
explain his unancountable silence p sht
thought, asking what she most sishet
to believe ...H ....
"will you come inY" she said, he
eyes dropping before bis earnest gaze.
"Not now, Lucy sit with me in thi
garden chair for little while. please. Il
have uuoh to say to you and would 90.
it here"
He spoke in his old loving tones, Ant
she suffered bin to retain hes hand AM
lead her to the seat .......
~ have letter for you, Lucy" AMI
be handed her the note.
"At lastl" she saia, raising her eye
to bis. .r.. ... =.
"Spars me-" he replied, "uutil 20,
read it," ,.s... .. .....a. ~.
And she DID read sll the humiliatin,
confession Of the proud man, who ha'
humble& himself from love to his son.
elbow dare he tamper with my letters |!
she said, her cheeks burning and be
eyes flashing With indignation.
], "He 10 my fathes, Lucy !"
"Yss, asd as your father I forgiv
him"
"Thauk you!" and drawing her close
to him, be said, "One more boon INA,
no be yours in name? Will you DO m,
L 4