The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-08-19

Jenny, who had been watching the win
dow intently, sprang back, clasping her
hands and crying out:
"He's coming! he's coming! The car
riage is just coming up the avenue. Oh,
Robert, Robertp'
She threw herself upon the floor, and
hid her face upon Roberts knee.
He sank back in his chair, his brave,
handsome face looking white and ghostly,
with the black curls clinging around it.
gained the window, and looked hastily
out. A plain, brown travelling carriage
was winding slowly up to TIE portico.
Yes, Godfather Vivian had come. Poor
Robert it was all over with him.
Minutes passed away-they seemed
hours to us-and then there was noise
at our door. 1t opened, and admitted
the two step-aunts-Miss Lucretia and
Miss Penelope. They looked rigid, aus
tere, and boding ill. They beckoned
solemnly to Robert. He arose, and
walked between them. There was no
fear expressed in his face, but he looked
worn and wretched. Jenny and / fol-
lowed; and thus, in awful state, we pro-
ceeded to the tribunal.
The door of the old library stood open,
as if awaiting our entrance. AS we passed
in, Roberts head sank lower upon his
breast, while Jenny and l walked with
downcast eyes. We felt that we were in
the dreaded presence, and we did not
wish to behold it.
There was a breathless pause, then a
round, mellow, beautiful voice, full of
sweetness, broke the silence.
Chow is this? Robert, my boy,
what's the matterT'
l thought that, all at once, q tide of
blossoms, and fragrance, and sunshine
had burst into the grim old library.
Robert lifted up his face and downcast
eyes. So did Jenny, and so did l. In
the &C Ter of the apartment, on the old
fashioned hair lounge, sat Godfather
Vivian. No tall, grim, unfeeling guar
dian. No stern, implacable, unforgiving
ogre. But hale, healthy parsonage, in
the prime of life, with a beautiful be-
nign countenance, and tender, peaceful
blue eyes.
A single streak of sunlight which was
playing on the wall glanced now and
then across his grayish-brOwn hair and
white, unwrinkled brow.
Robert stood before him, his hair
tossed aside from his face, which now
wore reassured, grateful look. The
step.aunts seated themselves, upright
and gloomy, one on either side.
"Mr. VIVIAN" said Miss Lucretia, by
way of preface, "a circumstance like this
has never happened in my family. l
consider my sisters memory disgraced
by this objectionable action which her
step-son has committed"
"Mr. VIVIAN" continued Miss Pencil
ope, ga Marchmount never would have
perpetrated an act so unworthy of his
ancestors"
"Go on, Robert" said the mellow
voice mildly, tell me all-tell every
thing"
"Yes, yes, go on" repeated Miss Lucre-
tia, with acrimony. BE explicit, and
don't lie."
Roberts face flushed, his dark eyes
glanced passionately, and he bit his lip as
if to suppress his just anger. Then he
became subdued again, and sorrowful.
Godfather VIVIAN" he began, but
broke down ut these words. Then he
rallied and went on, remorsefully, but
bravely.
"For some time past, in going to my
place of employ, l have been in the habit
of dropping in to visit poor family
who live in that vicinity. The family
consists of drunken father, mother,
and crippled child. While had lit
| tie money to spare, besides what invested
and what / spent in pastime, gave it to
the poor woman for the sake of her child.
For week past the child has lain
very ill-almOst at the point of death.
During her suferings, her constant desire
has been for fruit-for oranges which
her mother was unable to supply with
her scanty means. Yesterday, while l
stood by the bedside, her pleadings
were heartrending, and ! almost cried
because could not give them to her. 1
had spent foolishly the little pocket
money had, and there was no more to
be procured until the next month.
"All the way to my employers /
thought about it, and half the day it
haunted me. In the afternoon j entered
the counting-room for some article. The
apartment was empty, no one was near,
and upon the desk lay few bright silver
pieces. Temptation was before me. j
thought of the sick bed of the little
child, with its parched lips and piteous
cry. / forgot what had come for, and
yet fingered in the room. If / took the
money, could easily replace it again
Only one month, and then would l re-
place it all, perhaps more than l took
Then something whispered to me, ooh
Robert, don't stealp and / started at my
own thoughts. / tried to say my pray
ers, but / had forgotten them. Iglanced
involuntarily at the money, and said
Our Father but it wouldn't do"
Here Robert broke down again, and
covered his face with his hands. Some
body sobbed. 1t wasn't Robert, nor Mis-
Lucretia, nor her sister. 1t wasn't Jenny
either, although she was weeping silent
ly. 1t was Godfather Vivian. His face
was covered with his white handker
chief, and his breast heaved with emotion
Robert continued, shading his cye'
with his hand:
"I left the counting-room, not as
had entered a few moments before. Their,
was a great weight on my heart, and
felt no longer fearless and honest, bu
trembled at sound. hurried ava,
from the place of my temptation.
bought the oranges, and carried them Il
the sick bedside. The mother gave m,
blessing, but it sounded more like ;
curse. / never, never could be uprigh
and honest again. l was sunk in my owl
esteem. Oh, sir, / have suffered, jus
here" placing his hand upon his breast
"more than words can tell. 1t seems a
if l had passed through years of punish
ment and horror. The money has beel
replaced by my aunts, and Heavel
knows my torture has been severe"
Robert ceased speaking, and stood wit
bowed head, the perfect picture of youth
full despair. He asked for no clemency
and he need not have asked for it.
Godfather Vivian removed the hand
kerchief from his face.
"Mr. VIVIAN" said Miss Lucretis
r leaning forward, che deserves all an
, everything. Let him not escape"
Mr.. Vivian, be severe" said Mis-
, Penelope, eying him closely.
| n-If.xo. -. 4 =. 80