Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1875-09-02
GODFATHER VIVIAN.

1t was early in a July aftern Don
when the carriage set me down al
Fleetwood, whittier l had gone to
spend the holidays. walked quick
" up the old lane of roses and sweet
brier, thinking all the way of Jenny
and Robert, and of the delightful
days that we should pass together
1t was such q long time since we had
parted last-or, at least, it seemed so.
was somewhat disappointed when,
instead of Jenny's pretty, laughing
face appearing at the door, l beheld
the two prim forms of her step
auntS.
Miss Lucretia and Miss Penelope
welcomed me, but not cordially-that
they never did.
sWhere's jenny" said l, giving
a half pressure to the cold fingers
which received me.
"Jenny is With Robert, at present" "
replied Miss Lucretia, stiffly.
"And Robert is in disgrace" sub
Joined Miss Penelope, austerely.
A cloud, dark and lowering, over
shadowed the promised sunshine of
the delightful holidays. | stood ir-
resolutc-half wishing, half fearing
to ask if I might 90 to them. Miss
Lucretia anticipated me,
'You will find your companion in
the south room. l will send up your
trunk Immediately"
scarcely waited to hear the second
announcement. l was already at the
foot of the stairs. Up l flew, two
steps at time, and full of love. |
found them together in the south
room; Robert sitting silently by the
window, and Jenny upon her knees
beside him. oh, what a glad shout
he gave when he saw me, and how
Jenny cried and laughed alternately
For time disgrace was forgotten,
and it seemed Just as if old times on
the sea-beach had returned again,
But gradually the settled sorrow stole
back over Roberts face.
"What is it all aboutY asked ], as
we three sat together, and they told
me from beginning to end. In a
moment of great temptation Robert
had taken that which was not his
own. He had stolen--he was q thief!
Never shall l forget the world of an
guish that passed over his counte-
nance as he spoke those words--such
n bitter, regretful anguish.
"And have you told al the circum-
stances to your aunts?" l again in
quired.
@No," replied Robert, proudly.
"They would neither understand nor
believe me if 1 did"
''Perhaps they might forgive you.
"Never! They have sent up this
morning for Godfather Vivian. |
don't know what will he done with
me-
Ihad heard of Godfather Vivian
before, hut none of us three had ever
seen him. He had lived abroad un-
til during the last year, and though
he had sometimes made short visits
to lockwood, it always happened that
he came when Jenny and Robert
were absent from home. This an
nouncement of his coming silenced
us momentarily. We were all think
ing of him.
81 know" said Robert, mnurnfqlly,
after pause, u know that he is
hard hearted and unfeeling, or else
they never would have sent for him,
/ expect to have no mercy shown
me-"
81 am afraid you are right, Rob
crt," said l sadly, and with tears in
my eyes.
81 can foresee everything" ex-
claimed Jenny, passionately, while
she held her brothers hand. 81 can
see him before me, just as if had
known him all my life. Tall, grim,
hard, unfeeling, stern, implacable
and unforgiving. That's Godfather
Vivian"
1t was faithful picture to US, and
we took it home. We decided that
he was very ogre, and that Robert
was to prepare for the worst and most
speedy of punishments.
Two hours passed away. We sal
sorrowful and without hope. Sud
denly, Jenny, who had been watch
ing the window intently, sprang back
clasping her hands and crying out:
"He's coming! he's coming! The
carriage is just coming up the ave-
nue.. Oh, Robert, Robert!''
She threw herself on 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. I gained the
window and looked hastily out. A
plain, brown travelling carriage was
winding slowly up to the portico
| Yes, Godfather Vivian had come