New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-12-25

more. Now, this was very nearly IA" sum wmch Ms
father had saved during lifetime If severe econo-
nv and invested in " first l"ns' upon property
which he knew II was like asking the old man ~
tear out his heart and hand it over on plate He
refused In terms which expressed lis surprise ana
wrath, and William hal not written again. Susan
was the only member of the family with whom he
kept up q correspondence.
Williams beamne, happy face seemed 10 double
the sunshine in the parlor Gideon Lane also was
happy for Of late wears he had not been at al easy
IN his mind in regard to his treatment Of his Young
est son and daughter. Evan Powell and Susan were
lovers and as faithfully hctrothed to each other az
was possible while Of the families was detein-
ined 10 prevent IT, jeremiah had never SAID much
one wav or the other bat Gideon had despo'lcally
forbidden all intercourse, and Lydia Maria begin
ming with the declaration :: " Not while i've haH
cxerred all. and more than al, of the authority
which had come to her by inheritance from their
dead mother. Evan was a farmer also. but his faith
or was poor and he was one of many children BON
he and Susan felt that it might bc'bctter 10 wait
few year. rather than to begin married life with
double cloud hanging over them.
.Sit down. Lydia Maria Sit down, jeremiah"
cried William, taking a chair himself. Father
there, no use in keeping things hidden, when their
telling viii do no harm. We've always been too
close. in our family; we make trouble where we
shouldn't. and keep 1t longer than We need tor
"Mavbc soT murnured Gideon Lane, leaning back
in his cushioned scat.
when Won wouldn't Jet me have The money
William continued; d" had 10 do what would have
been wicked II | had failed in mv plans. borrowed
from Susan her share Of Aunt Rutlfs estatr-wlth
several years interest and all her little savings add
ed. eighteen hundred dollars.
ESQ that was the mystery about managlng her
own affairs, and locking for better security" cried
Lydia Maria.
Then turned to Evan Powell. lie was work.
inc hard. and LAYING up-yor all know the reason OF
it-ard he sent me about as mnch more. had hard
work TO pull through ard save nv chances; but its
done. now-wel done and safely. Why, they call
me q rich man, out in Colorado"
- suppose You can well afford to make such fl-
mons Christmas gifts" sad his father. "But why
didn't you bring something for Susan"
~ don't want "-Susan BEGAN TO protest. but VII
liam stopped her. He was about 10 speak bui sud-
denly turned, went to the western window Of the
room. pulled aside the muslin curtain which hung
before it, and waved his hand as if reckoning to
some one outside. The others were too prsoccuPled
TO take much notice of this movement. Susan, how
ever grew quite pale.
'I hare brought something for Susan, father
William Went on to say; - have il in my pocket"
lie took ont . heavy folded paper, which had an
official look about 1T.
cob | see: her money"
"This is an agreement with John Perkins TO sci
IRE his farm at hundred and twenty dollars an
acre"
why William" Gideon cried ont; are you able
10 buy it?'
"Ob. yes" said William, with hearty, careless
Dir of Independence which made profound impress
SION upoi the family; 81 coud buy three or four
ike II. But don't want 1t for myself: have
bought it for Susan
Now it was Susan's turn to be surprised. Shr
caught her breath. and trrmbcd so that she seemed
to hc on the point of falling.
IT., so convenient, fathcr-thcrc's only the road
between it and your farm. | thouqht it would make
such nice home for her and so intendher 10 have
it, but in q different name As soon rs the deed can
be legally made ont for Susan Powell, she shall be
the owucf-but not before"
oh William!" she murmured.
'Yes7 William continued, with the cheerfullest
possible air; Il mean exactly what say. ] think
you three have stood in the way of Susan's happi-
ness long enough. And you can't deny that Evan
has acted like a man: ask you therefor, to show
il 10y receiving Inn a. a man. He Is waiting at the
door, William turned toward his father, and looked
him steadily in the face. The old man made two or
three visible efforts to speak, and when lie sue
cecdcd his voice sounded strange and husky. He
only said: Bring him in
But jeremiah. without Whiting for the words was
already at the outer door Come in, Evan!' ne
sad giving him strong grip Of the hand; % am
glad to see you here"
Evan Powell entered the paror a single glance
was exchanged between him and William Lane and
he understood the situation He walked straight to
the old mans chair and offered his hand, which was
taken. Susan, acting wholly from the impulse Of
the moment vet dong exactly the thing she should
have done. took her fathers other hand.
The old man held them both, looked mp at their
faces, and sld, with singular, quivcrng smile:
"You do seem tocrablv well shifted to each other"
II was too much for Susan she kissed her father,
then threw her around Evans neck laid her
head upon his shoulder and wcpt TO her hearts
tent.
In another minute, tears were running down the
old mans checks. jeremiah and William walked to
separate windows, and gazed steadily through the
paneS; while Lydia Maria, with corner of her apron
pressed to- her eyes, extended hand 10 Evan and
said d" / reckon it's of the things that hare to