Nebraska advertiser., 1876-10-19
TRACKED.
PART SECOND.
CHAPTER " CContinued.)

Sn6 no longer loves me ~ was his
thought, and he drew back abashed,
aud turned his face towards her fa-
ther. who was grasping the arms of
his chair, and staring at him with a
troubled look upon his countensnce.
"Are you the boy Charles ?" His
voice broke down with agitation.
p "I am, sir" answered the young
man, humbly; "and have come to
ask your pardon"
"No. no; don't come near mel"
gasped Wieland. "Go, go!H
ForgetfuT of herself, Blanche ran
across to her father; then turning to
Charles said Indignantly, "Do you not
see, sir, your presence distresses my
father? Go, go-for heavens sake!
Do you wish to leave him for dead
dgdin?"
And was this the hour for which he
had hoped and prayed? Was this
the meeting to which he had looked
forward withsuch thrill of delight
but few moments back? Her harsh
words cut b i'm to the soul.
But not even for her harsh words
could he slink away like a convicted
oulprit. His whole future life depend
ed upon this interview; not only his
love, but his prospects, bis position,
bis very name.
~ havelcome," he answered, after
apause, Ito ask your pardon for the
words spoke-to tell you renounce
every shadow of suspicion against
you"
"Silence !" said Wieland, hastily,
aad slightly recovering himself. You
are speaking of affairs that are not
known even to-these present. Kauf-
man and Blanche, both leave me for
five minutes. You can walk up the
street and back it will be sufficient |
time for what 1 have to say. Go, go,
my child"-seeing her hesitste-"you
have nothing to fear for me-"
She kissed him and left the room
without once glancing at Charles,
followed by Kaufman, who was
speeohless with establishment at this
strange scene.
"Young man." began Wieland, as
soon as they were alone, but averting
his eyes as he spoke five years ago
you accused me of an awful crimew
"And now, on my knees, 1 ask
your pardon for those words"
Hold! do not kneel to me!" he
cried, hastily. Hear me out with
out interruption hastily. Hear me
out without interruption that is all l
desire. The effect of your words you
may see now. From that hour /
have been shattered in health and
brain; yet do not reproach yourself,
for you were not to blame, except in
that you might have uttered your
more gently"
81 might might, indeed!" ejac-
ulated Charles.
"But you were young, impetuous,
burning with the thought that you
had made great discovery"
Il was mad-worse than mad-cru-
ely ungrsteful!" burst forth Charles,
unable to contain himself. Like a
l turned upon the hand that
had fed-lifted me out of the gutter
saved me from starvation 7"
81 myself acquit you of all such
cried Wieland, in loud
voice. II myself see in it all only
the judgment of the All-seeing One!"
"But you do not mean to say ]
;hat-" began Charles, falteringly.
"E say nothing" interrupted the J
I'D mani can say nothing! If you {
believe me guilty of the crime you {
aid to my charge, call in policeman g
1ow this moment. Send me to New G
yate, snd 1 shall make no defence. I g
cannot make arg defence! This is all {
can say!" o
"But can say that spite of all this, fl
rom the very bottom of my soul 1 be- n
leve yous guiltless. Abroad, in Ita- Il
y, 1 met those who knew you-who "
poke of you In such glowing terms of 81
ulogy, that blushed with shame at
ny own suspicious. was a boy then o.
L am a man now. My cruel words, o.
ou say, shattered you in health and v
rain-let me try and make some poor d,
ttonement for my crime. Let me Fl
evote my life to you. All, sir p'- CT
nd he sank upon his knees, and tt
asped the old mans hands between W
is own-"it was once agreed that I In
lould one day be your son; cannot b,
lose ties be renewed?"