The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1875-03-04

reconciliation. He had been doing
uneasily, when be suddenly started
awake. ... t.... ........-,..-,..
"The will! Matte! We forgo. the
will! 1t is in the drawer. Burn it,
Matte! Tell Ned there is legacy for
you-ten thousand dollars. II the
will stands my boy. will be disinherit-
cd. Burn it Matte! IA .+.-.
With trembling hands Simon Hart
wright drew from the drawer the will
that left his son a bsggar, and thrust it
into Matte Colwell's hands.
"Burn it! Let me see it burn!" he
said, teverishly and with sagerness,
and gladly Matte laid the paper upon
tho burning Goals of the CRATE. o While
they watched it burn, there, was, a
noise of rapid horses, feet, a roll /, of
wheels, a hustle at the door, and quick
feet upon the stairs. SAT I.-a v.zsa
.';Ned! Ned!" .grsb s5, d. ,.ai4.s,
The voice of the sick man rasg. out
clear and, shrill. and was answered by
loud cry, f-s - s.s-s.., ai. j.. 81
"Father, L am comming!Y' esrs19 J,
Then Matte stole oqt of the room
as tall figure rushed in, and Ned
cartwright knelt beside his fathers
chair, to feel warm tears upon his face,
the clasp of loving arms, and hear bro
ken words of blessings and welcome.
In the hall Matte found q little fig
ure waiting in bewildered patience for
welcome, and took upon herself the
Office of hostess to the blue-eysd wife,
for whose sake Ned had dared his faith
er's anger and. periled his inheritance.
Matte took Lucy into the warm draw
ing-room, ordered supper for the trav-
elers, and unrolled the two, months
old baby from its multitudinous shawls
and wraps. sa or.GI b9y3i,od II
Matte listened to the fearful de-
scription of Ned's mingled JOY and
sorro W when the telegram came, and
smoothed the fair curls of the young
wife, cslmed her agitation and took
her into loving confidence. And when
Ned came, grave and pale, to say, ".My
father will see you Lucy" Matte took
the boy from its mothers trembling
arms, and followed, after the first
words of reconciliation were spoken.
She found Ned holding his fathers
hand in closest clasp, while Lucy
leaning over the great chair, softly
bathed the clammy brow, where the
death-de were gathering fast. Ill
..Ned's boy!' the dying man gasped,
as the baby face was lifted to his own.
"Ned's baby!a May God bless the
child! And may God ever bless Mat
tie! See to it, Ned, that she never
wants love while you live-Mattie.
who brought you to my arms, as she
has brought your son this night-Mat-
tie, who brought you tonight to take
the sting from death! They will tell
you, Ned, that Matte never wearies in
doing good, but she has done no no
bier work in her life than she has done
to-day in bringing my boy to my side. "
These were the last words Simon
cartwright spoke, until, at last, he
whispered: e'-5i ..i."1 i na.u-i9-..
"Ned-forgive-my boy-God bless
my boy !" and died with the blessing
on his lips. a..Ta q-nos.H fatfs:
Matte Colwell lives her quiet life
of usefulness, leaving undone no kind
ly act her hands can accomplish !; but
there is no memory of good works
done so precious to her heart as the
memory of the reconciliation her
words accomplished between Simon
cartwright and his son. .teea. d