Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-02-16


other love to enter my heart but love for
her, should not stand here the guilty
wretch / am tonight. Yet for her sake
spare me. lam her only son-her only
support. If you expose me you strike
her to the heart"
Mr.. Lyle made an impatient move
ment.
81 tell you, you should have thought
of this before. 1t is too late now; you
have had your chance and abused II
wickedly. You must take the conse-
quences."
Thorley was trembling, and he conld
hardly stand.
"Mr. Lyle" he said, huskily, {" do you
know how old am9 l am nineteen, sir,
and never touched a farthing that was
not my own before"
"It is time to end this" Mr. Lyle said,
rising and approaching the bell.
Wait one moment, sir" Frank Thor
ley said, passing between him and the
bell-pull; and his desperate, anguished
look stayed Mr. Lyle an instant. "Shall l
tell you who tempted me to do this.
whose beautiful face came between me
and right, and lured me on to ruin2 As
you hope for mercy hereafter, sir, hear
mel Hear how came to fail, and then
refuse to be merciful il you can"
"I am listening" said the merchant.
al never saw London till two years
ago, and you, yourself, have commended
me for withstanding its temptations
You know, sir, that | neither drink nor
gamble. The smallness of the amount
l have taken must prove that your money
was not spent in that way. You have
been pleased to be very kind to me, sir
Do you remember urging upon me the
acceptance of an invitation to a party
given by your daughterY / was reluc-
tant, 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 snares for me, to
dazzle me with her loveliness and lure
me with her smiles. There is no intoxi-
cation like the first love of youth, sir;
don't you know thatP There is no frenzy
like that inspired by woman who
makes you love her. l lived in deli
rum; | was mad on account of this
woman whom l loved, and who seemed
to love me, and l incurred debt for
her-a debt which, in a wild moment, a
mohsent when had Just been scornfully
cast off by her-Ipaid with your money"
What was your debt9" MIR. Lyle
asked, briefly.
"1t was for ring"
"a ring with diamond set in a
cluster of rubies?" the merchant asked,
with flash of remembrance.
" Yes, sir" Thorley said, reluctantly.
The merchant sat down, and, motion
ing Thorley to a seat, remained some
moments thoughtful and with his face
averted. Then, touching the bell, he
waited, while Frank Thorley covered his
face with his hands.
"Tell Miss Roxie l wish to see her
here" he said to the servant who an
swered his summons.
Roxie was just going out, and she
came dressed as she was for the party,
fleecy white floating about her like
cloud-wreaths, 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?" she
asked of her father, who sat with his face
in shadow.
For reply he reached and took her un.
gloved hand in his. 1t was dainty hand,
slender, small, and white, and glittering
with rings. He put his finger upon one,
small diamond surrounded by rubies,
and lifted his glance to hers.
Roxie shrank little, and looked as
though she we're going to cry.
Turning toward Frank Thorley, Mr..
Lyle said: "Upon one condition l will
forgive you. Repeat what you have just
said to me, in the presence of this mis-
guided girl"
Poor Frank Thorley! Perhaps he
thought even exposure would be prefera-
BILE to such humiliation before her whom
he loved. Perhaps second thought of
his mother came and nerved him. He
hesitated only moment, and told his
story with half-desperate, half-sarcas-
tic eloquence that took the vivid color
out of Roxie's brilliant face, and left it
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 noty" demanded Mr. Lyle.
" Heaven knows / forgive her, sir, as
hope to be forgiven"
Thank you, sir. l think she has
wronged you more than you wronged me,
and ] will show, young man, how can
forgive, to morrow"
But when the morrow came, Frank
Thorley had left London with his mother;
and vain were all Mr.. Lyles efforts to
discover him.
Years passed. There came financial
crash; and though everybody supposed
Lyle & Co. to be established on too firm
a basis to be shaken, they were not able
10 outride the storm.
Scrupulously honest now as ever, Mr.. |
Lyle gave up everything; made no effort |
% save so much as Roxie's piano from
soing under the hammer.
Never mind, papa" she said softly
o him that last night before the sale;
we have still each other, and am young
Perhaps / may find some use now for
hose accomplishmentsy you have lavished
lpon me so freely. You didn't
hink," she added, with an attempt at
,ayety, that you were putting money
~ when you were spending it on me, did |
Tou?"
Heaven knows what is to become of |
lsW moaned the unhappy merchant.
Tomorrow at this time we shall have |
10 right even to the roof that shelters
'ur heads. But Heaven bless you, my
hild, for this sweet courage. 1t is
omething to have so brave a child. You |
AVE been used 10 such freedom from
are, though, Roxie. l wish you had
married, dear, and you would have had
Iome now"
Dody ! like better"
Nobody, Roxieg"
The soft cheeks flushed little and the
cd lips trembled.
Don't ask me, papa. There's no.
'ody now" she sand, hiding her face on
lis shoulder.
Was it some one who went away?"
Yes," family.
II thought so, dear. It's like you
'omen tolove the man they have wronged
lost."