The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-02-10

had been so ready TO vouch for young
Thorley, made his unfaithfulness doubly
culpabe He remembered suddenly the
gay life the young man had been leading
OF late, vague rumors of which had reach
cd his ears, and said, sternly, us he could
master his voice enough, "lf you come
here thinking to move me to thoughts of
clemeney, you will find yourself mis-.
taken"
Not for myself Mr.. Lyle" he said at
last, speaking with difficulty, "but for my
mothers sake | do ask your clemency, not
to retain me in your employment, but to
give me chance to begin again some-
where else"
And serve some one else as you have
mc?' the merchant exclaimed, with iron.
ical anger at is rather late to think of
your mother, young man"
I" know it sir. If had suffered no
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. am her only son--her only
support, If you expose me you strike
her to the heart"
Mr. Lyle made an impatient movement.
81 tell you you should have thought of
this before. 1t is too late now you have
had your chance and abused it wickedly.
You must take the consequences
Thorley was trembling and he could
hardly stand
Mr., Lyle" he said, huskily, "do you
know how old l am | am nineteen,
sir, and | never touched farthing that
was not my own before"
1t 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 his
belI-pull and his desperate, anguished
look stayed Mr.. Lyle an instant: "Shall
| tell you who tempted me to do 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.
am listening, said the merchant.
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 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 me the acceptance Of an invitation
to a party given by your daughter2 /
was reluctant, but went, and from that
hour my fate was sealed The most fasci-
mating, as well as the most heartless
of ccquettes, did not scorn to set her
snares for me, to dazzle me with her love
illness, 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
woman who makes you love her lived
in delirium. ! was mad on account
Of this woman who | loved, and who
seemed to love me, and | incurred debt
for her--a debt which, in wild moment,
moment when l had just been scornfully
cast off by hcr--I paid with your money
"What was the cause of your debt2'
Mr. Lyle asked, briefly.
II was ring"
A ring with diamond set in cluster
Of rubies ?" the merchant asked, with a
fash of remembrance.
Yes sir, Thorley replied reluctantly.
The merchant sat down, and motioning
Thorley to a seat, remained some nome nts
thoughtful and with his face averted.
Then touching the bell he waited, while
Frank Thorley covered his face with his
hands.
Tell Miss Roxie | wish to see her
here, he said to tho servant who answer
ed his summons.
Roxie was just going out; and she came
dressed as she was for the party, feecy
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 face.
Did you send for me, papa she ask ed
of her father, who sat with his face in
shadow
( For reply, he reached and took her
unglovcd hand in his. 1t was a dainty
hand, small and white, glittering with
rings He put his fingers upon one,
small diamond surrounded by rubies, and
lifted his glance to hers"
Roxie shrank little, and looked as
though she was going to cry,
Turning towards Frank Thorley, Mr..
Lyle said, "Upon one condition | viii for
give you. Repeat what you have just said
to me, iu the presence OF this misguided
girl" an. .......
Poor Frank ThOrleyt Perhaps he
thought even exposure would be prefera-
bic to such humiliation before her whom
he loved Perhaps a second thought of
his mother came and nerved him. He
hesitated only moment, and told the
story with a half desperate half sarcastic
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 she clung to her father with a
burst of sobs. e
viii you forgive her Frank Thorley,
or not p demanded Mr.. Lyle.
" Heaven knows | forgive her, sir, as l
hope to be forgiven"
"Thank you, sir. l think that she
has wronged you more than you wronged
me, and | will show you, young man, how
| can forgive tomorrow.
But when the morrow came, Frank
Thorley had left London, with his mother;
and vain were all Mr.. Lyle's efforts to dis
cover him.
Years passed. There came a financial
crash and though everybody supposed
Lyle & Co. TO be established on too firm
basis to bc shaken, they were not able to
outride the storm.
Scrupulously honest now as ever, Mr..
Lyle gave up everything; made no effort
to save so much as Roxie's piano from
going under the hammer. sgf-
"Never mind papa" she said softly to
him the last night before the sale; 1--WE
.s.lI l..,. .nnI I'll. .al 4 -. .......--