Middletown transcript., 1877-09-01

{ pale, frightened face. There haC
, been sudden change for the wors
since he had left, and Simon Clayton
was sinking fast. Hurrying to tn,
room, Cyrus found the news only to,
true. Eagerly the dying man vel
coined him. He had forgotten al
business cares, but he crayed the low
of his adopted son.
ut is Thanksgiving day" he said
when they had talked a little while
"the day for the forgiveness of injuries
Cyrus, would l knew where Laura
is to-day. have destroyed all letters
from her, lost all clew to her. She
may be poor, Cyrus. She may long
for her fathers forgiveness. My poor
Laura 1 had never crossed her,
Cyrus, and she did not think I would
be unforgiying. could die easier if
I could tell her that l forgive her"
Cyrus did not speak. Literally he
could not. All that those few gasping
words implied pressed upon his brain
with relentless clearness. Laura at
home, Laura forgiven, meant the loss
Of all the fair inheritance now his own.
Do not judge him too harshly. A
fierce temptation clutched heart and
brain. There was no active crime to
be committed. Only few hours 81
lence, and the vast wealth which he
had virtually controlled for few short
weeks would be all his own. He could
provide handsomely for the widow and
her child when he was the heir, and he
was surely better fitted to manage a
great estate than weak woman.
Simon Clayton did not notice the
silence that fell upon the room while
Cyrus wrestled with the bitter tempta-
tion in his heart. He was very weak,
and time was short for prayer and
preparation for eternity, so the silence
suited him well. But when the very
sound of his breathing was audible in
the stiffness, he sighed, as if from
breaking heart, my poor Laura !"
Like clouds dispersed by sunlight,
the shadows of evil sped from Cyrus
Ford's heart.
@Uncle Simon" he cried, al can
bring Laura to you, if you wish"
The dying man expressed no sur
prise The end was too near for that.
It seemed nothing strange to him that
his strong dying wish should be ans
wered.
@You can find herr Bring her
quickly, Cyrus, or you will be too late.
But before you go, give me my desk,
and send Mrs. Grey to me-"
"Shall I open your desk p
"Yes; l only want my will. She is
my only child, Cyrus" he said, plead
ingly.
@And if this is destroyed she will
have her rightful inheritance" said
Cyrus. @Shall | lay it here on the
live Goals p
eyes. God will give me an hour or
two more Of life. Burn it, Cyrus, and
send at once for Mr.. Pearsons."
So, while the flames curled over the
paper that would have made him mas
ter of nearly a million dollars, Cyrus
Ford started to bring Laura Cameron
to her father, and sent his lawyer to
the dying man. But few words sufic-
ed to explain his errand. Dollie was
carefully carried to the easy carriage
in waiting, and after long drive the
stately house was reached when tyi-
light was settling over the great city.
1t was thoroughly in keeping with
the delicate instincts of Cyrus Ford's
character that he sent Laura alone to
her father, while he carried Dollie into
the parlor, and made her comfortable
upon sofa. The grave, pale child
looked earnestly in his face.
do you live here with my grand
father ?" she asked.
q have lived here for four years. 1
ate my first meal here on Thanksgiv-
ing Day four years ago"
Thanksgiving Day. We meant to
make little holiday, too; but I was
not paid for the work took home, and
hurt my foot. 1 was not in very
thankful frame of mind before I met
you, and you were so kind and so gen
erousp'
q hope this will be the first of many
thankful days for you" he answered.
''Your mother will not leave her home
again, I trust"
There was still long talk before
they were summoned to the sick room.
Here the reconciliation had been per
feet, and Dollie was placed in an arm
chair WHEREVER grandfather could look
upon her face.
"You will trust everything to Cyrus,
Laura" her father said. "He knows
how all my property is invested
rtrrrr1s rrnnl rriu hn HnsAhH,l 70 M