The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1871-12-07
RIDGWAY, PA. THURSDAY, DECEMBER Z 1871.

lack of interest that held his tongue,
however, for he turned away his head,
and his hand shook as though it were
palsied. And probably Harry did not
look for reply; he was thinking aloud
as much as talking to the other and
presently he perceived this, and said
with laugh: "A pleasant sort of COM
panion L must be with my sentimental
egotism! My excuse is the relief it af-
fords me to speak ont, and there is no
one else upon whom lean infiict the ideas
which sometimes plague me; for, of
course, want Susan to think me as free
from care as a lap. dog. And. then 1
seem to have known you all my life; 1
forget that it is hardly six months since
we left the house together one morning,
and both walking city-wards, fell into
conversation. But l know that you
will pardon me-"
"There is no need for pardon" said
Mr.. Nicholson. "You do me a favor
by taking me into your confidence.
am a lonely old fellow, who has spent
the better part of his life away from his
country"
"Ah where!"
"The last few years at Simancas be-
fore that, in Paris before that, at Got
tingen. I am little more than musty old
book-worm crawling from library to
library; living so much in the past as
to have lost all connection with the
present. You have recalled feelings,
sympathies, associations, which l thought
were lost to me forever He paused
for a while, and then said abruptly
" How you must hate that member of
your family who brought upon it the
shame-of which you speak ]"
80 no, no, no !" cried Harry. "You
little think But 1 will tell you all
about it some day. see that you have
finished your pipe; suppose we go down
stairs again."
Sad subjects of conversation did not
crop up again, and the rest of the even
ing, though musical" was not incl
ancholy."
FUTURE.
One evening in October Harry Maple
son came home at the usual time, but
not in his usual state of calm composure.
His face was pale, his eyes were spark
ling with excitement, his forehead was
bathed in perspiration, and he hourished
an evening paper about.
"What is the matter?" cried Susan.
Don't be alarmed-it is good news.
We can look the world boldly in the
face my dear; our father was innocent !"
81 know it; dear mamma always
said so."
"Ay, but it is proved See here.
don't think you ever knew the details of
the matter?"
"No; l never wished to do so"
"Well, then, will not enter into them
now. 1t is sufficient tor you to under
stand that our father was a man of con-
siderable talent, who took a high degree
at his university, and was considered
rising man by the political party whose
cause he espoused. Indeed, for some time
he was private secretary to Minister,
and it was only because of his desiring
a more certain income upon his marriage
that he resigned that unstable Office, and
accepted an appointment which was not
dependent upon one set of men going out
of office and another coming in. 1t was
position of trust, and large sums of
money passed through his hands. Well,
there was neutrality-suspicious.
downright theft, in the department.
Our father could not clear himself; his
name appeared to fraudulent documents
which could not have been used without
his signature-in short he was condemn
ed-sent across the sea-lost; for from
that time our mother could hear no more
of him. II am innocent" he said when
they parted but what does that matter
the disgrace sthe same. Ihope to die
soon; but if this blessing is denied me, 1
desire to be forgotten, as though l had
really escaped from this den of thieves.
l will not drag you and my children
down any lower. Do not speak of me to
them-never seek for tidings of me-"
Our mother prayed, demonstrated, wept
in vain-he was firm, saying that he
knew it was FOR the best. That was
eighteen years ago, Susan, when you
were quite baby, and l SO young that 1
have only the vaguest remembrance of
calamity and change. Well, our father
had no more to do with that crime than
we infants had: man in the same de-
partment forged hisname, and embezzled
the money; he is dying-struck down
with painful disease, which leaves him
in full possession of his faculties and in
his terror he has confessed, and he ap-
peals to the family of the man he has
worse than murdered-to us-for for
giveness Here it is--see! Can you
forgive him, Susan? 1 can't. Forgive
him wish him we'll and strong, that l
might have my fingers round his throat,
and my knee in his chest. and watch his
black soul sitting in his black heart
Soul ! I hope"
Harry, Harry"
"Well, well, 1 forgot myself don't look
Susan. 1t is we'll that the
wretch has spoken at last, at ell events
our fathers memory will be cleared from
reproach; and you can stay sometimes
with those good Poynter people, and see
a little society"
Susan was protesting that she was
quite eontented and happy under present
circumstances, when she was interrupted
by knock at the door, and the fellow
lodger entered the room. He too held a
in his hand he, too, was evil
IDENTIFY under the influence of strong emo
tion, for he stood glancing from one to
the other with a strange, yearning ex-
preston in his eyes twice he essayed to
speak, and twice his voice failed him.
"You have seen this account in the
evening papers, and have concluded that
we belong to the family of the Mr..
Maplsson whose cruel story is told
thereI" asked Harry.
The old man nodded.
You are right; we ara his children.
This sympathy is indeed kind"
Perhaps YOU yourself are a connec-