The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-10-16

|
Cd why should you wish to take upon your
self that BURDEN" But noticing the express
ion of her face (hc had seen too much OF The
/ maternal instinct in his profession not kno"
what 1t meant he relented. WELL my dear
as you desire it so much | wish you could
have him. Whatever makes the woman Sc
stubborn Tardy justice Is better than none
at all And | solemnly declare that unlesr
she sends that paper, which have every rea
son 10 suppose was ia my brothers possession
neither the mother or the child shall cross my
, threshold
This seemed to end the discussion, and for
a long time Lucy sat looking into the fire, Al
last, raising her eyes plcadingly, she said:
Robert, you won't like my saying this, and
don't like TO seem as though | were preach
ing but all day, as though they were on my
brain, | have seen the words, If ye forgive hol
men their trespasses'-"
A loud knocking interrupted the sentence
A tall miner stood at the door asking for the
Doctor.
What is the matter?" asked the Doctor, who
was already drawing on his overcoat
BILL Bartons child has got hts-two miles
t'other side Of Lennoy Biutl.'
All right Iii be there lust as soon as pos
sible"
The hardness had all vanished from his
manner; again he was the sympathizlng ply
stefan ~ he turned to his wife, saying:
Good night, Lucy; do not sit up; may
not be in much before morning. This poor
child has been subject to these attacks from
her birth fear each will be the last
After his departure, Lucy sat long time
gazing thougAtfully into the fire. There Is
no use hunting the garnet again she unused ;
1T Is only III stories that missing wills anil
deeds are found in old furniture SO, having
sent her little maid to bed, and prepared some
fragrant chocolate, setting 1t where 1t would
simmer slowly till the Doctors return, She
resumed ner seat by the fire and her sad mCdl-
tations
Meanwhile Robert Ashley pursued his jour.
ney through the stormy night and those last
words spoken by his wife were eXerting spell
on him, too The chill mountain wind, rush
ing through the cedars, seemed to sing in
trumpet tones, "If we forgive not" while on
every hand the laurels whispered, "Forgive,
forgive"
Arrived at his destination he found the little
patient better, lying pale and exhausted on
her mothers lap The parexysm was over
the danger was past once more, and the moth
or expressed real sorrow at having brought the
Doctor out IN the storm.
"Oh, no matter about that" he answered
hastily; then, after preparing composing
on his homeward journey.
But the thoughts from which he would glad
ly have been free were only interrupted, not
dspelled. Again the unseen spirit voices
seemed to whisper around him; and memory
went back to his childhood, when bluceycd
cousin Fred was his dear companion. He
thought of the green summer days when, to
gether they lad ished in the old mill pond,
and sailed mimic boats under the willows
Then of old college times, when the gay young
student had clung to him as unto an elder
brother. And now All. now he was dead
The storm had increased in violence, but
the Doctor scarcely needed 1t, tor rcmorse was
now gnawing like bitter hunger at his heart
Away to the right he heard above the noise of
the elements the shril whistle of the md
night tram. That startling cry that, clearer
than clan call or blast of tOCsn, reminds the
lonely of the great brotherhood of man. 1t
aroused the Doctor from his musings. lie re-
membercd that halt an hour ago train ar
rived in the village behind him, but, having
ovcrtaken no travellers, he felt thankful that
no one had to seek his home among the Mills
tonight. A moment later he saw something
dark moving directly IN front of him.
| "Only cedar bush," he reasoned; but
watching closely he saw 1t waver more and
more, and at last sink down upon the snow.
moan, and hurrying forward he found a sad
sight; a woman completely paralyzed with
cold and weakness, ana in her arms, closely
pressed against her bosom, an unconscious,
sleeping babe. lie placed them hastily i'll his
sleigh, and five minutes later Lucy, by her
| fireside, was startled by an unwonted noise at
the door.
Its well you're up, Lucy" exclaimed the
Doctor, as he came in with his burden; get
some warm water, quick"
Lucy hastily brought the necessary RENE
dies, and while the Doctor applied them, she
took the now wakened babe, warmed him, gave
him II drink of warm milk, hushed him to
sleep again, and placed HIM snugly IN bed.
| At last the patient opened her eyes. "Oh,
where am | ~ she cried; where is Robbie
ale is safe" replied Lucy, holding some
arm wine to her lips. ale Is now sleeping
sweetly."
Having revived a little more, she resumed :;
~ cannot thank you enough for your kind
ness to a stranger, but If you will only tell me
where DIR. Ashley lives | will be going; |
must reach there to night. | came on the
train, but must have mistaken the direction
You are there now. | am DIR. Ashley"
"Arc you, indeed ?" exclaimed the poor crea-
turc. ooh, will you forgive me for coming /:
could do nothing else"
Forgive you" cried the Doctor, with a
great sob in his voice. "Ah, Mary, if for
Fred's sake you will forgive me, it is enough !;
mine has been the sin of remorseess cruelty.
So the poor wanderer had found home and
love at last. But not tor long, for when the
snowdrifts melted beneath an April sun, she,
too, vanished from the earth, gladly going to
rejoin her husband.
Years have passed The Doctors step is not
quite so firm AS of old, and some SILVER mars
have found their way among Lucy's shining
braids But Robbie or the young doctor rs
they call him now, is the comfort OF his un'
cle's declining years, and the very pride and
Joy of Aunt Lucy's heart.