South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1881-07-29

first, but they were but drop in the
bucket. At last we brought Selwyn
home 10 de-
'Doa't Daniel, sail the mother softly.
He wants TO hear the rest. There's
only little more, but It's no better
Annie was like Selvyn and pa
tient; delicate like. too. We didn't
mind it at frst, but her cheeks grew
thin an 100 red; cough she had from
childhood grew harder. an though the
best doctors VIC could get camo early
and late. it was only year after Selwyn
died before wo laid Annie down among
the SHOWS. Thank yc, sir. for your
pity. Mother an' have she'd most Of
onr tears. ,t,f,
Mr.. Faxon put his Cambria handker-
chief back into his pocket.
Your other son, Roscoe, Mr.. Derby
did he ever come home p
Never. Its nigh on to eight years
since we have seen Roc. lie knew he
disappointed US; but that was nothin',
was 1T ,nother?'
i never think Of it, said Mrs Derby,
shaking her head. Perbaps-i don't
know--we took the wrong course with
Roc. lie was restless and active. He
was wild. but he was lovin'-'
Her voice broke.
Mr.. Derby s.id Mr.. Faxon, Il fad
know something of your story already.
Your son, Roscoe Derby, who ran away
at nineteen years Of age, is probably iy-
ing; and it may come in my way to OBJ
tain some information of him for you
The old people had risen from their
seats, and he went on quickly:
Meanwhile, be at no Inconvenience
regarding your stay here in your Old
home. Your right to occupy it is un-
questioned in my mind, and let me- say
yoa will never during your litetimes be
required to 60 hence. There is the
mort gage. he placed some papers on
the tabie-'Ihe Derby place is your own
He rose, putting them gently back Us
they pressed toward him, trying to ex.
press their gratitude.
Mono thanks Believe me, you
owe me nothing-nothing.
He took his hat. The old man, who
was voiceless, wrung his hand, Mr. !.
Faxon tnrned TO Mrs. Derby, and tax.
ing her soft, wrinkled fingers in his
strong palm, bent low and kissed them.
Then he turned TO the door, but in q mo-
mcnt he had como back.
'Mother-faiLer lie said. l cannot
90, for | know you have forgiven me =
And the next instant the strong man
was kneeling with his head on his mo.
there knee.
After long years. mother, said he, as
she sirolScd bis temples with fond fin.
gers.
i am but twenty-eigLt years old, but
sorrow for my early faults have brought
some gray hairs about my head
And you are not Mir. Faxon, after
all Roc ? said the father, with a puz.
lied smile.
Yes, l am, dear father. Five years
ago l had the fortune to gain the good
will of one of the wealthiest American
shipping merchants then in London
lie gave me q good position, and / de-
cided to return home with him. AID
served faithfully in his employ until
just before his death, when. having
formed an engagement with his only
daughter he gave his consent TO our
marriage with the proviso that would
take bis name, and carry on his interests
exactly "a they had been. To tbis I
consented. for in spite Of my settled
habits and ideas, felt an alien and a.
lone, but, mother, have good wife
and the best Of sons-a little fellow two
years old, named Derby. Does Cha,
please =
Alb, indeed What loving Old woman
is not pleased with her grand Child p
Soon The house was graced by the pre-
sence OF Violet Faxon and thc loving
boy. whom grandfather could no. praise
enough, and grandmother could no,
iondle enough yet it was sweoter. per
haps, 10 Roscoe Faxon, TO hear his mo
TIERS voice whisper:
1 like your wife, and, do you know.
I tliut et, Il o.. III. o..