Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1874-11-28

under the SNAoHl ouutttf N.t''H S''' e''s -.
face, pale AMI thin, was ycS that Of chl.d
Of not more than thirteen sninmeTs. When
,he cab stopped before the tall. narrow ten'-
nent house. the young NAN llftel bis 'hlrse
in his strong arms, AMI hrl ling her h'ld last
10 the big bInl.e, carried her . the T11m -
which she directed him.
II was poor room, shabby 10 the extremo
of shabbiness. with no romantic air OF pnver-
~ but the real grinding iicts OF extreme
nenury staring the bcholler in the face.
woman. pale and emlciatel, was stitching
upon a sewing machine, bat cam forward
trembling when Cyrus entered with the child.
"Do not be frightened" he said gently
"it is only sprainei ankle. will send You
\ doctor If YOU will tell me for whom he il
TO inquire" ,
Mrs. Cameron, O, 'iiie, Child are
YOU very much hurt ?"
"My foot aches the child said but the
gentleman has been 50 kind The work Is
II will seud doctor" Cyrus said, hastily
putting the child upon the bel, he had
better come at once"
As he spoke, he slipped a note for fity
dollars into Dollie Cameron's hand, and leit
the room before she could speak. IL was too
bitter. lie could not realize it at once but
the cruel truth pressed harder and harder as
he neared homo. This was the child and
erandchild Of Simon Clayton, starving in an
attic. while 10 commanded their rightiul in
heriance.
Mrs. Grey met him at the door with pale,
frightened face. There had been su iden
change FOX the worse since he had leii, and
Simon CLAYTON was sinking fast. Harrying
10 the room. Cyrus found the news only too
true. Eagerly the dying man welcomed him.
lie had forgotten all business 's-es, but craved
the love OF his adopted son.
at is Thanksgiving day" ho sail, when
they had talked little while, the day for
the forgiveness Of injuries Cyrus, would |
knew where Laura is to-day. Ihave destroy
ed all letters from her, lost all clew 60 her
She may be poor, Cyrus. She may long for
her fathers forgiveness. Ny poor Laura! had
never crossed her, Cyrus, and she did not think
would be unforgiving. | could die easier II
I could tell her that forgive ber.'
Cyrus did not speak. Literally be could
not. Al that those few slsping words implied
pressed upon his brain with relentless clear
ness. Laura at home, Laura forgiven, meant
the loss Of all the fair inheritance now his own
Do no, Judge him too hArshly. \ herco
temptation clutchel heart and brain. There
was no active crime TO be committed. Only a
few hours silence, and the vast wealth which
he had virtually controlled for a few shor,
weeks would be all his own. He could pro-
vide handsomely for the widow and her child
when he was the heir, and he was surely better
fitted to manage great estate than a weak
woman.
simon Clayton did not notice the silence
that fell upon the room while Cyrus wresiled
with the bitter temptation in his heart Ho
WAS very weak. and time was short for prayer
and preparation for eternity, so the silence
suited him well But when the very sound OF
his breathing was audible in the stiffness. ho
sighed. as if from breaking heart, My poor
Laura
Like clouds dispersed by suulsh', the
shadows Of evil sped from Gyms Ford's heart.
Uncle SimoD." he cried, ." can bnng
Laura to you, if you wish"
The dying man expressed no surprise Tho
end was too near for that. IL seemed nothing
strange to him that bis strong dying wish
should be answered.
"You can find her2 Bling her quickly,
CYRUS. or you will be too late But before you
90, give me my desk, and send Mrs. Grey to
me-
"Shall open your desk q
"Yes; only want my will Sho ii my
only child. Cyrus" be said, pleaingly.
q And if this is destroyed she will have her
riehtlul inheritance" said Cyrus. "Shall /
lay IL here on the live Goals p
"Yes. God viii give me an hour or two
more Of lfe Burn it Cyrus, and send At once
for Mr. Pearsons"
So. while the flames curled over the pa Der
that would have made him master Of nearly
million dollars, Cyrus Ford started 10 bring
Laura Cameron to her father, and sent bis
lawyer to the dying man. But few words
suniced 10 explain bis crrand. Dolhe was
carefully carried 10 the easy carriage N wait
ing aud after long drive the stately house
was reached when twilight was settling over
the great city.
Il was thoroughly in keeping with the deli
cate instincts Of Cyrus Ford's character that
he sent Laura alone TO her father, while ho
carried Dollie into the parlor. aud made her
c, mfortable upon a sofa. The grave, pale
cLild looked earnestly in his face.
"Do you live here with my grandfather ?
she asked
81 have lived here for four yesrs. ate my
first meal here on Thanksgiving Day four
years ago"
Thanksgiving Day! We meant TO make
a little holiday, too but was not paid for
the work took home, and hurt my foot
was not in = very thankful frame Of mind
before met you, and you were 50 kind and 50
generous"
"Ih hope this will be the frs, Of many thank
full days Tor you" be answered. your moth
er will not leave her home again, | trust =
There was still long talk before they were
summoned 20 the sick room. Hero the recon-
citation had been perfect. and DOllic was
placed 10 an armchair where her grandfather
could look upon her face.
"You will trust everything 10 Cyrrs, Laur,."
her father said. " lie knows now al nv
property is invested Cyrus you w,ll b. faith
ful to my child 2"
God deal with mo as am faithful % your
trust" was the soIemn reply.
Before nidub,at, surrounded By those DO
loved, Simon Clayton died Not ubtil three
days later, whf.i tho funeral was over, dii
Cyrus know that MT. Pearson bad made new
VIII, While he was seeking Lanra Cameron
BY tbis will he became heir 10 half Of Simon
Clay ton 5 estate, the other half aud all personal
7 6opeFly becoming Lauras.
Ny story may not end here Five years
later, on Thanksgiving Day, there was a we'd
ding 10 the house where Simon Clayton bah