New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-16

the habit Of bringing my work and M
accounts to his room quite naturally; the
OF reading to him, az if that had Away
been part. of my days work, and bring
ing him messages from the tenants, and {
getting somehow to make him feel it naturs
to listen to me while he rested. Then 20
may be sure l let him feel what his peopl
would think if II never made it whep) the
we're to have for their master and their lanG
lord man whom they had always hor
estly disliked, as they had always hOnestl
disliked Captain Warder. But though i
time all this grew natural to us. the SOUR,
would never let me utter two sentences tC
gether of Mr.. Wills return, or of forgive
ness for him and Miss Agnes. At last thi
day came round-Mr. Wills birthday, an,
the last day of that year which had been g
wretched fer us all. The Squire had bee
so restless and ill the day before, that hs'
sat up III his room all night, and remem
Der noticing with what o start he rose from
his pillows when let in the daylight, ask
ing me sharply what day it was. Standin,
beside him-aud know must have locke,
as anxious as I felt told him. And thel
gently led him on to recall those happ,
birthdays Mr.. Will had always spent a
home; going back even to tn At one when h
had taken his baby as a Nav Years git
from heaven. Qaite silently he listened t.
me, but his weak, white fingers were pressed
upon his eyes.
80. master | cried, folding my hands
just as if cried TO my Master in Heaven
forgive him and bring him home once
more"
Through all its pain his face darkened
with great anger WHEN / spoke, and he sent
ne from him as he had so often done be-
fore. But when l returned | found him
sitting at the window in the feeble winter
sunshine, looking himself more feeble than
| had ever seen him look before. hit with
q gent!eness III his face and attitude which
almost frightened me 10y its strong contrast
to the passionate vehemence with which he
had dismissed me an hour before.
Hester he said, calling NE By the
name he had been used to call me when l
was young girl about the house, learning
from my mother how to take her place (the
place I've filled for fifty years., Hester.
perhaps he viii come to-day
had the hardest work IN the world to
prevent my doing anything foolish in my
jog at hearing only those few words. To
think that at last he should of his own ac-
cord, and so gently, speak of Mr.. Wills
return All, if it could but happen On that
very day-that birthday which they had
always spent ogether.
"No. no." said the Squire, sharply, guess
ing my motive, when l, in trembling anxiety,
asked If he knew where MIR. Will would be
this day. ''No. no. and if knew hundred
times you should not send"
But afterward, as he still sat quietly be-
side the window, he spoke to me quite
thoughts while sat working opposite HIM
"Yes; he may come to-day-by his own
wish. If 1Ot-never mind-never mind"
Then, as time went on: ''Warder was
right: he never meant to return. He was
glad to break the old ties-irksome ties
and he and Agnes tired OF them. Never
mind.
"Perhaps,'' said I, with sudden bold
ness, "a unexpected by myself as by my
master, Mr.. Will is too poor to travel
now"
looking into my face with new anguish;
but the next moment he had sunk back
again. and was murmuring softly to him
'elf once more. "Poob, pooh! Warder knew
ne borrowed money: he had no difficulty in
loing that. My old age and my failing
,ealth made it easy for INV heir to borrow.
No: he had no difficulty. Warder heard of
all. Those men do not guess of my new
will, though. Well, they deserve to suffer,
or lending money to rebellious SOFA
iisobedient son. 1t is a just will, and
Narder has promised that, 10 my place, he
viii Go all that-my son has left undOoe.
les, it is just will
Yet for all the reiterated words it was
lain to see that that will lay heavily upon
nv poor master heart.
Hester he said once. looking wistfully
t me IN the waning afternoon hight, ST he
If-loving the old times
e comes to me upon his birthday, to begin
he new year with his hand in NINE, l shall
urn the will I made in my anger Ii he
oes net, shall know that all Is best as it
Can any words describe the eagerness
With which | watched that line of road
cross the heath, sitting motionless in my
intense anxiety. and praying silently from
~ heart! But the daylight waned, and
either carriage nor solitary figure
roke that line OF bleak road which ended
q the horizon.
Leave them said the Squire, almost
oughly staying my hand. as | attempted to
lose the shutters when the world was ali |
l darkness; 'leave them until this day
nd this old year-are dead"
The physician, who came over every |
ay from Exeter, tried his best to WOO NV |
laster from the gloom, saying, when he |
'und all other attempts tail, that he |
anted to dine with him beside the fire. |
ravely, and said he had fancy for that |
at to night: and that mis- eyes were tired |
nd he did not need the light So at last
e physician went away, seeing he was
,eless, but he said he should return early
the morning, for he himself had been
armed by the change this one day bad
ade in Mr.. Capleton, though he evidently
w no immediate danger. He thought it
pity that Captain Warder should happen
be away for that night, and did not of
'urse tell him how glad was.
When returned to my masters room,
e freight showed me his chair empty at
e uncurtained window, and was looking
'und in real alarm when he entered from
g library. As he came forward l saw
at he carried sealed packet, and my
art beat with JOY when, with it in his
md he came toward the fire.
"Oh, master, yes | cried involuntarily,
men he paused. burn it tonight"
He closed his long weak fingers over it.
f he comes he whispered huskily, IL
all burn it, That will be my birthday
1T to my repentant boy. If nOt-it is a |
st will-quite just, and it shall stand
saw it would be best to say no other
ord. His own longing to destroy the will
Is as strong as any persuasions could be.
q l saw that there was no power which
uld urge him to it except his sons re.
rn-my poor, poor master!
50 again we sat and watched, looking out
o the darkness: and when the faintest
Ind broke the stiffness, could see in the
slight how my master started forward in |
chair, his great hope hurrying his breath.
'aDge to say, as the darkness deepened
confidence seemed to grow only the
onger and more steadfast, until at last, I
it's very simplicity as we'll as force, it {
i inspired in me confidence just as
Ong.
The weather had been fine all day, though
} wind was high, and there had been fit
CLEANS of sunshine falling upon my I
ster's old, worn face, like the angel
ches falling now upon his heart. But
or the sun had set the weather changed,
each gust of wind sent noisy splashes /
'ain against the uncovered window panes. g