Louisiana capitolian., 1879-12-06
SAVE THE IRR1ue.

"May l not say when he is reform
ed he may come back to us and be
received with open arms and hearts, y
"Say nothing but what l bid you
and co."
Ella turned away with a sigh. She
had scarcely closed the door when a
deep, heavy groan broke upon her
ear, and she paused. Another and
another followed, so heartrending, so
agonizing, that she grew faint with
fear. For y moment her hand tre,n-
bled upon the latch; and then she
raised It, and, gliding mp to the faith
er, folded her arms around him, and
pressed her lips to his.
"Forgive me, dear papa, forgive
your own Ella her unkind words.
was thinking only Of poor Robert,
and did not we'll know what said.
l am sorry-very sorry--cannot you
forgive me, papa!"
eyes, child, yes. Good night, dar-
ling!-therc, got"
NO answer.
"You will feel better if you see him,
papa"
''Go on!"
| Again Ella turned from the door
and hurried down the stairs. Still
the boy sat down with his face in his
mothers lap, and his arms twined
tightly around her waist. Both star.
ted quickly at sight Of her slight fig
ure, dressed as it was for q different
scene from this. The pale, anxious
face, looking ont from the rich masses
of curls, now disalranged and half
drawn back behind her ear, appeared
as though long years had passed over
it in that one-half hour. Poor Ella,
it was a fearful ordeal for glad, buoy
ant seventeen.
"Thereis the money, Robert" she
said, flinging the purse upon the table,
"and now you must 60 back with me
and say to our father that you are
| sorry y0u have made him miserable"
ale will turn me from tho door,
Ella" "And do you not deserve it 7"
Ella!" interposed the tender
mother.
lido; that and more. But perhaps
he will think | come to mock him.
"Your manner and words will tell
him for what You come. You have
very nearly killed our poor father,
Robert. Ihave seen his gray hairs
tonight almost as low as the grave
will lay them. Ihave seen him in
such agony as none ofus are capable
Of enduring. You ought to go to him
Robert--go on your knees, whatever
he says to you he will have no right to
complain"
celia, child /! E1la!" exclaimed Mrs.
Lane, "you have too much Of your
fathers spirit-that is, too much for
a woman. Beware how you break
the bruised reed.'
CELIA is right, mother" said the
boy, rising, 81 will 60 to him-I will
tell him how wretched have made
myself; how | wish could take the
whole load of wretchedness and re-
lieve those l love. 1 will promise
him to look out some humble corner
Of the earth and hide myself in it,
away from his sight forever. Perhaps
he will bid me earn his confidence by
years Of neutrality-suspicious. he will
Ella is right whatever he says even
though be curse me, shall have no
right to complain
But I will complain, Robin = ex-
claimed the girl, with fresh burst Of
tears; 'and wherever you go, / will
20 with you. Poor, dear papa; but
he shall not separate us-we, who
have sat upon his knee at the same
time-his own darling children /! |
will never stay here while you are
without a home, Robin
The excited girl clasped both hands
over her brothers arm, and led the
way up stairs; while the trembling
mother followed, praying in her
heart that the interview might be
more favorable than her fears promi-
sed.
When they entered Mr.. Lanes
room the old man sat in bis arm chair,
leaning over q table and resting his
forehead upon his clasped hands.
Books were scattered around but
they had evidently not been used
that evening there was q glass Of
water standing beside him, and his
neck-cloth was loose as though from
faintness. Had his hair become gray
er and his vigorous frame bended
within a few days' 1t certainly
seems 50 and the heart Of the erring
boy was stricken at the sight. The
sorrow that he had brought upon his
mother and sister had been duly
weighed; but his stern father had
never been rcckoned among the suff-
erers.
A loud, convulslve sob burst from
his bosom, and he threw himself,
without a word, at the old mans feet.
The mother drew near and joined her
son, meanwhile, raising her pale face
pleadingly to her husbands; and Ella,
first kissing her fathers hand and
bathing it with a shower of warm
tears, placed it on Roberts head.
"You forgive him, papa--you for
give poor Robin7 He shall never act
wickedly again, and he is your only
son.
The old man strove to speak, but
the words died in his throat again he
made strong effort, but emotion
overmastered him and sliding from
his chair into the midst Of the group,
he extended his arms, enclosed all OF
them, and, bowing his head to the
shoulder of his son, wept aloud.
"Stay with us, Robert ~ he at last