Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1879-09-03

futtlng him into his mothers arms Tn
young wife lifted her own baby from il
cradle and left the room.
In the darkly-furnished library. Mr.
Hepworth was leaning back in his arm
chair.
y light step reused him from his rever;
and his wife stood before him.
Over her morning dress of delicate ros
color, that suited well her fresh voun,
beauty, fell the long white robes of tn,
infant she carried with all the pride O
motherhood.
Her husband opened his arms to cares
both, and laughed as he said;
"Oh, these mothers. Do you suppose
madame, that babies are admitted into tn,
sanctums of legal gentlemen?"
. do " said the mother, s:if the lega
gentlemen have the additional honor Of
being their papas
"Listen 10 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, ''that this is
my birthday, and you have given me No
gift ="
- iou are impatient. little wife," be an
swered, thinking Of the costly bauble that
was to come without fail by noon.
" But would like to choose my own
gift, she persisted
What can 1 give my rosebud that she
has not already."
Does not your office include the power
Of pardon:" she asked. her sweet face
paling with earneStness.
In limited degree it does, " he replied.
= but. dear one, l shouldn't like it to be
known that l had shown clemency to a
criminal upon your solicitation. You
would be constantly annoyed by the loving
relatives of scamps trying to move me to
pity through your intercess;on.
Il But this is not Il case of roguery, Har-
old-only true pcnitent: one who erred
in extreme youth, was led from a path of
duty by love as warm and true as our
own, but mistaken. Oh, dear husband. do
YOU not know for whom | would plead /.
Cannot You guess for whom would beg
"Clarioe," he asked, hoareeiy, ''who
has told you of her "
She has come herself 10 seek your for
giveneSs."
She is.here!"
Yes. You win forgive her! For the
sake Of oar own boy, Harold, let this be
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"
There was a 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
al s,-iu .,--.,,,, l.-.i..I..- --;'. NJ.
Take NE to Ciarice.
With a tender, loving kiss upon the hand
that still rested upon her child's head, Meta
led the way back to her own pretty sitting
room, where Clarice awaited the result of
her errand.
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
hoy forever.
Her gratitude could never fail, she felt
sure. Tor the beautiful woman who had so
lovingly undertaken the Office of mediator
on her behalf, and the tears rolled down
her checks as she thought Of the unse.fish
tenderness Of her stepmother.
As she heard the steps coming across the
wide hall toward the room where she was
seated, her agitation became too great fol-
patient waiting, and she stood up, holding
her child by the hand, her breath coming
in quick, painting sobs, her eyes dilated
with suspense, and her whole figure quiv-
ering with intense emotion
1t was this eager, flushed face that met
the fathers eye as he opened the doOr-the
face ST the child to whom he had gwen the
entire strength of his love for years.
He forgot her waywardness, her disobe
dience and the six years of absence.
He remembered only thar she was his
only daughter. the child of his dead Clarice,
and he opened his arms, with a smile that
carried love and forgiveness to the sore
heart
There was cry of:
Father, dear, dear father! "
And they were folded fast in each other 5
arms. while Meta drew wondering Stephen
into Al! inner room and closed the door.
1t was not long that Stephen was with
held from his grandfather's kiss, for father
and daughter alike turned to tie gentle in
fnence that had united them once more.
The eossips are divided in their opinions
as TO the exact amount of hatred and Jeal-
ousy existing between the young widowed
daughter and the young wife at the great
house. hut 1t would be quite beyond the
mower of their narrow minds TO understand
snch true sisterly love as exists between
Clarice Manderson aud Mr.. Hepworth
second wife.
she Took Sugar in Ber'n.
The coach stopped to change horses al