Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-04-22

was lying between the woodwork and
/ the wall.
| "A letter?' exclaimed S,i(iie, step
ping quickly forward; " let me see 1t.
! please
Taking it from the man, she gave one
! hook at few words traced upon 1t,
then low cry brose from her lips.
"On, II pger, my darling! thank
God! YOU are savtU!' and bt fore the
doctor, who had sprung forwari. could
catch her she had fallen to the floor in
dead faint.
II .ising her head, Dr.. Stanton drew
small vial of sm lli'g salts from his
pocket, at the same time Gispntctlng
one Of the worhmeu for Mr.. Melton;
| but 10y the time he arrived Sadie VAS
once more on her feet, and extending
the letter, exclaimea:
See, father SEE! The mystery is
solved, and the cloud lifted. at last"
Taking the envelope, Hr Melton
gazpd at ii a moment in silent Devil
derment; then openingit mechanically,
drew out the lost certificate.
"Where was this 'ouni? 2 he
asked.
Down between the window-casing
and the wall. answered Sadie excitedly.
"Yonr hand must have been resting
over that long crack in the sill, on that
day, and while you slept the letter
slipped down there. On, father!- and
poor Roger"
H, shall have justice. my dear
indeed he SHALL" interrupted Mr.. Mel
ton. s" have done the young man Il
great wrong; but it shall be repaired as
far as it can be-"
Excuse ple," interposed the doctor /;
ARE you speaking OF Roger Wood
worth ?"
"Yes-yesr said Sadie. eagerly.
"Ds you know him, doctor? ?"
~ am attending his mo'her, who is
very ill. aud who is expecting her son
daily. He may be with her by this
time. l have not called yet to-day"
"Oh; then. Doctor" exclaimed
Sadie, her cheeks af.me. If you
would if you only would
~ will 60 at once" said DR.. Stanton
anticipating her words, aud regarding
"Aad shall take message from you,
Mr. MettOu u0 Huueu.
"Yes. yes" said the gentleman,
"tell him to come up here, that I may
clasp the hand of an honest man. in
forgiveness"
In the little cottage he had left two
years BEFORE in such deep disgrace aud
sorrow of heart, Roger Woodwork was
kneeling by the bedside Of his mother.
A soft step sounded in the room, and
the invalid looked up with faint smile.
"Ah, Doctorl" she said; then plac
ing her thin hand lovingly on r 'gers
head, which was still bo we'd, she added (:
This is my boy--my dear son! He
has come to receive his mothers dying
blessingl"
"And more than that, my friend"
said the doctor, laying his hand on the
young mans shoulder. Look up
Roger Woodwork, and let me see the
face OF an honest mana man whose
fair name is free from the suspicion
that has SO long been resting upon
with bound, ! R ,get was upon Ills
feet. his eyes luminous, his face
afsme.
what are you saying?" he said in
a voioo husky with intense eagerness.
" Say those words-those blessed words
once niorel"
"There are others waiting to say
them! Mr.. Melton desires to clasp your
hand in forgiveness and reconciliation,
while another awaits you. of whose
welcome I need not speak"
"Thank God!' exclaimed the invalid
GO to them. Roger, and then return,
that We may thank the Lord for this
great blessing"
There was nothing to tell in that in.
terview that the reader does not already
know; but the Joy that it sent to the
heart Of Mrs. Woodwork seemed to
prolong her life; and. two months
later. there was a quiet weddirg in her
sick room, at which DR.. Stanton was
present. As the married pair knelt to
receive the mothers blessing, the hands
that had been extended above their
heads dropped softly upon them and
rested there; and stepping forward the
doctor lifted them gently and laid them
across her breast.
Within the next few months Roger
Woodwork made a voyage to Australia
accompanied by his bride; and after
disposing of his valuable interests
there. the young couple returned, pos
sessed Of q liberal fortuae, to their
beautiful home, which Mr.. Melton was
to share with them as long as he lived.
l-lMrs. E. 81. Hough. in N. Y Ledger.