The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1876-01-22


makes YOU love her. | lived In deiiilum
was mad on accoun, of this woman whom
loved. and who seemed 10 love me, and In
Cured "A debt for her--a debt which, IN u
wild moment Il moment when l had Just
been scorufully cast uh by hcr-l paid with
your money
What was you debt" Mr.. Lyle asked,
briefly.
Il WAS fol Il ring
"a ring with diamond set in cluster OF
rubics =" the mcrcha0t asked, with flash OF
rene mbranCc.
}, ayes, SIR" Thorlcy said reluctantly.
Il The merchant sat down, and motiOnlnG
IThorey to seat, remained some moments
thoughtful, and with his face averted Then
touching the bell, he waited, while frank
IThorley covered his face with his hands,
Tell Miss Roxie | wish to see her here
The SAID 10 the servant who answered his
summons,
Roxie was going out; and she came dress.
ed as she was tor the party, tleecy white
floating about her like cloud wreaths. her
lips red, her checks ag!ow, and her eyes
sparkling.
She Redeemed somewhat at the sight of
Frank Thorley's CHASTITY face.
Did YOU send for me, papa she asked
OF her father VINO sat with his face in sha
dow
For reply he reached and took her ungov.
ed hand in his. II was dainty hand, sen.
der, small, ard white, and glttering with
rings. He put his finger upon one, u small
diamond surrounded 10y rubIeS, and lifted his
glance to her.
Roxie shrank little, and looked rs though
she were going to cry,
Turning toward Frank Thorley, Nj Lyle
said, Upon one condition | will forgive you.
Repeat what you have just said to me, In the
presence of this misguided girl"
Poor Frank Thorey! Perhaps he thought
even exposure would be preferable to such
humiliation before her whom he loved. Per
haps II second thought of his mother came
and neryed him. lie hestated only a mo-
ment and told the story with half desperate,
| half sarcastic eloquencc that shook the vivid
color out of RoXle'S brilliant face, and left
! il white and scared
won't you forgive me, Frank she
cried, and Clung to her father with burst of
| sobs.
will You forgive her. Frank Thorley, or
not ," demanded Mr.. Lyle.
Heaven knows forgive her, sir, as hope
to be forgiven"
Thank YOU, sir think she wrongcd you
more than you have wronged me, ana | will
show you, young man, how | can forgive To-
morrow"
But when the morrow came Frank Tborey
had left London with his mother, and vain
were all Mr. Lyle's efforts to discover him.
Years passed. There came . financial
crash; and though everybody supposed Lyle
IL Co. to be established on too firm basis to |
be shaken, they were not able to Outride the
storm.
Scrupulously honest now as ever, Mr. Lyle |
gave up everything; made no effort 10 save
so much as RoXie's piano from under the
hammer.
Never mind, papa" she said softly to him
that last night before the sale; I'VE have still
each other, AID am young. Perhaps lmay
find some use now for those accomplishments
you have avished upon me so freely. You
didn't think she added, with an attempt at
gayety, that you were putting money by
when you were spendid it on me, did you."
"IIeaven knows what is to become Of u.s.
moancd the unhappy merchant. "Io-mor-
NOW, at tins time, We shall have no right
even to the roof that shelters our heads
But heaven bless you, my child, for TINS
sweet courage. 1t is something to have sc
brave child. You have been used to such
freedom from care, though, RoXie-l wish
you had married, dear, and you would have
had home now
II have go, you, papa and there's nobody
ike D0ttCT--
Nobody, Roxief"
The soft check flushed little, and the red
lips trembed
Don't ask me, papa; there's nobody now"
she said, hiding her face on his shoulder
"Was 1t some one who went away"
"Ies," family.
II thought 50, dear It's like You women
to love the man they have wrongcd most"
The two hid away in the toughest corner OF
the house while the auction was going on
next day, and Roxie cxerted herself incredi.
bly, to sustain her fathers heavy heart. He
grew old fast in those few hours. This los.
ing his home seemed TO hurt HIM cruelty.
The sale was over and they still sat there
alone, waiting, perhaps, to see If sotuc friend
would not come TO speak word of counsel
or comfort in this trying hour.
There was hesitatlng knock AT the door
presently, and q gentleman came in.
Mr.. Lyle, seeing that it was a stranger, said |
"You are, perhaps, the new PROPRIETOR
The stranger bowed and said: Il bought
everything in trust for friend of Mr.. Lyle's,
who requested me TO say 10 HIM that his
home was as much his now as 1t ever was"
Mr. Lyle lifted his head and looked at the
man, and from him to Roxle, IN a sort of be. |
wilderment
What does he mean, Roxie?'
RoXlc hau come forward GREATNESS, her
face red and white in swift changes.
Papa" she said, running to him and sob
bling upon his neck, its Frank Thorley."
NO, no, Rake" the merchant said incred-
uloasly.
"Itis Frank Thorley, sir" Frank said, now
coming nearer and he wishes iervently
that he had come sooner. 1 am rich man,
Mr Lyle, thanks to you for giving me anoth-
er chance in life, and have come to dis
charge my obligation TO you with my all. /
have nothing, sir that is not yours also
Don't, Frank! l was only just, scarcely
that; it seems good TO see you, though, like
the face of AN old friend We hayca't many
friends now, you know
Roxie had not spoken. 1t seemed she
could not lit her face from her fathers arm
But when Frank asked gently, Have you no
welcome for me, Roxiey" Have you tor.
given me yciy' she asked looking up sud-
= Il.