The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-09-18

| Cncer up, Clhrlcc, she said bravcly :;
"what is your little boys namc2"
"Stephcn. 1t was the name of my
brother who died. My first child was
called after my father"
"Stcphcn," said Mrs. Hcpworth, open
ing her arms, "comc here, darling and
kiss your grandmother"
The child sprang at once to the lovely
grandmother, kissing her again and again.
Putting him into his mothers arms the
young wife lifted her own baby from its
cradle and left the room.
In the darkly-turnishcd library, Mr..
l[cpworth was leaning back in his arm
chair.
~ light step reused him from his revcric
and his wife stood before him.
Over her morning dress of delicate rose
color, that suited well her fresh young
beauty, fell the long white robes of the
infant she carried with all the pride of
motherhood.
Her husband opened his arms to carcss
both, and laughed as he said;
"Oh, these motlcrsl DO you suppose,
madame, that babies are admitted into the
sanctums Of legal gentlemcn2'
81 do," said the mother, eff the legal
gentlemen have the additional honor of
being their papas"
"Listen to this most conceited of moth
ers, comparing legal honors with the own
ership of little pink roly poles like that "
"Did you know, Harold" said Meta,
her lip quivering slightly, as she felt the
deep import of her words, "lhut this is
my birthday, and you have given me no
gift2"
g You arc impatient. little wife," he an
swercd, thinking of the costly baublc that
was to come without fail by noon.
E" But l would like to choose my own
gift, " she persisted.
"What can give my rosebud that she
has not alrcady?"
| " Does not your Office include the power
of pardon9" she asked, her sweet face
paling with earnestncss.
"ln Il limited degree it does, he replied,
"but, dear one, l shouldn't like it to be
known that I had shown clcmcncy TO Il
criminal upon your solicitation. You
would be constantly annoyed by the loving
relatives of scamps trying to move ne to
pity through your intcrcession."
But this is not case of rogucry, Har-
old-only true pcnilcnt; one who erred
in extreme youth, was led from Il path of
duty by a love rs warm and true as our
own, but mistaken. Oh, dear husband, do
you not know for whom l would plead 2
Cannot you guess for whom would beg
"Claricc," he asked, hoarcely, "who
has told you of herr"
"Shc has come herself. to seek your for
givcness."
"Shc is hcrc2"
eyes. You will forgive hcr2 For the
sake of our own hey, Harold, let this be a
home for her and Stephen"
Stephen !" he cried, starting.
"Her son. Her husband is dead She
| is widowed, poor and lonely. Let her re-
turn to your home and your love, Harold. y
There was moment of silence, and the
mother softly carried the strong right hand
of her husband in her own until it rested
upon the head of the babe in her arms.
He looked down and said
81 will grant your birthday wish, Meta.
Take me to Claricc"
With a tender, loving kiss upon tho hand
that still rested upon her chiIds head, Meta
led the way back to her own pretty sitting
room, where Clarice awaited the result of
her crrand.
She waited, with fast throbbing heart
and trembling lips, for the words that were
to give her sorrowing lonely heart peace
and rest, or the stern mandate that would
close the doors of home upon her and her
boy forever.
Her gratitude could never fall SHE felt
| sure for the beautiful woman who had so
lovingly undertaken the Office Of mediator
on her behalf, and the tears rolled down
hor checks as she thought Of the unse,fish
tenderness Of her stcpmother.
AS she heard the steps coming across the
wide hall toward the room where she was
seated, her agitation became too great for
patient waiting, and she stood up, holding
her child by the hand, her breath coming
in quick, painting sobs, her eyes dilatcd
with suspense, and her whole figure quiv-
cring with intense emotion.
1t was this eager, flushed face that met
the fathers eye as he opened the door-the
face Of the child to whom he had given the
entire strength of his love for years.
He forgot her waywardness, her disobe
dience and the six years OF absence.
Hc remembered only that she was his
only daughter, the child of his dead Clarice,
and he opened his arms, with smile thai
carried love and forgiveness to the sore
heart
There was a cry Of:
Father, dear, dear fathcr"
And they were folded fast In each others
arms, while Meta drew wondering Stephen
into M inner room and closed the door.
Itwas not long that Stephen was with
held from his grandfathcr's kiss, for father
and daughter alike turned to TIC gentle in