The Van Buren press., 1876-08-22

ne cOulu UlaSteT hlb NoiCe cuouSu. ~
you come here thinking to move me to
thoughts of clemency, you will iind your
self mistaken"
mot for myself, Mr.. Lyle he said,
at last, speaking with difficulty, but for
my mothers sake do ask your clemen-
cy not to retain me in your employment,
but to give me chance to begin again
somewhere else
And serve some one else as you have
me p the merchant exclaimed, with iron
ical anger" 1t is too late to think of
your mother. young man"
al know 1t, sir. II had suffered no
other love to enter my heart but love tor
her should not stand here the guilty
! wretch l am Yet for her sake spare me.
\ am her, only son--her only support,
If You expose Ine, you strike her to the
heart ~
Mr.. Lyle made an impatient me vement.
Il tell you you should have thought
of this before. 1t is too late now; you
have had your chance. and abused it
wickedly. Youmust take the consequen
ces.
Thorley was trembling, he could hard
ly stand.
"Mr Lyle" he said huskily, I" do you
know how old am ! am nineteen, sir,
and I never touched a farthing that was
not my own before
"lt is time to end this" Mr.. Lyle said,
rising and approaching the bell.
Wait moment, sir Frank Thorley
said, passing between him and the bell
pull, and his desperate, angnished look
stayed Mr.. Lyle for an instant; "shall l
tell you who tempted me to this-whose
beautiful face came between me and right.
and lured me on to my ruin As you
hope for mercy hereafter, sir, hear me
Hear how came to fall, and then refuse
to be merciful If you can"
l am listening" said the merchant.
." never saw London till two years
ago, and you yourself have commended
me for withstanding its temptations.
Yon know, sir, that neither drink nor
gamble. The smaiiness Of the amount
| have taken mus. prove that your mon
ey was not spent in that way. You have
pleased to be very kind to me, sir. Do
you remember urging upon me the accep
tance of an invitation to party given by
your daughter was reluctant, but went.
and from that hour my fate was sealed.
The most fascinating as well as the most
heartless Of coquettes did not scorn to
set her snare tor me, to dazzle mo with
her lovlness, and lure me with her smiles
There is no intoxication like the first
love of youth, sir; don't you know that
There is no frenzy like that inspired by a
woman who makes you love her. lived
in n deirium; was mad on account OF
this woman whom loved, and seemed
I to love mo. and i incurred debt for her
"A debt which in wild moment, q mo-
ment wlen had just been scornfully
cast of by her, paid your money"
What was your debit p Mr.. Lyle ask
ed briefly.
" 1t was for ring"
"A ring with a diamond set in cus
ter of rubies p the merchant asked with
a fash of ,enembrance.
Yes, SIR" Thorley said reluctantly
The merchant sat down, and motioned
Thorley to seat. remained some mo
ments thoughtful, with his face averted
Then touching the bell, he waited. while
Frsnk Thorley covered his face with his
hands.
"Tell Miss Roxie l wish to see her
here" he said 10 the servant who answer.
ed his summons.
Roxie was going oht; and she came
dressed as she was for the party, feecy
white floating aboat her like cloud wreatha
her lips red, her cheeks aglow and her
eyes sparkling
She Redeemed somewhat at the sight Of
Frank Thorley's CHASTITY face.
Did you send for me, papa p she
asked of her father, who sat with his face
in a shadow
For reply he reached and took her un.
gloved hand in his. 1t was dainty
hand, slender, small and white, and gilt
tering with rings. He put his finger up
on small diamond surrounded by ru
bies, and lifted his glance to hers.
Roxie shrank little, and looked as
though she was going to cry.
Turning toward Frank Thorley. Mr.
Lyle said:
Upon one condition | will for i've
you. Repeat what you have said to me
in the presence Of this poor misguided
girl"
Poor Frank Thorley! Perhaps b,
thought even exposure would be prefer
able to such humiliation before her whom
he loved. Perhaps a second thought o
his mother came and nerved him. He
hesitated only moment, and told tht
story, with half desperate, half sarcas
tic e!oquence that shook the vivid colo
out of Roxie's brillirnt face, and LETT Il
white and scared.
Wont you forgive me, Frank?' she
cried aud clung to her father with burs
of tears.
"Will you forgive her. Frank Thorley
or not p demanded Mr.. Lyle.
Heaven knows forgive her, sir, al
| hope to be forgiven"
THANK you, sir. l think she ha:
wronged you more than you have WRONG
ed me, and will show you, young man
how can forgive to morrow
But when the morrow came Franz
Thyrey had left London with his mother
and vain we're all Mr. Lyles efforts tc
discover him.
Years passed. There came hnanca
crash and though everybody supposed
Lyle d Co to be established on too firm
a basis to be shaken, they were not able
to out ride the storm.