The Morristown gazette. [volume] (Morristown, Tenn.) 1867-1920, 1881-07-20
CHAPTER XIV.
TIE REPRoBArr SONS EVIL DEED.

Inc only person awake was Mr.. OVlngtOn.
He sat in large easy chair in the library,
beside a table upon which were various pa
/ pers and documents.
! There was q sad expression upon his worn
oOuntenance, and every now and then he
would pass his hand across his brow, as if
/ to brush away from his vision some obscur-
/ ing cloud. Not O vestige of the happiness
|. which had appeared in his face a short hour
before was to be seen now. Thus he sat for
nearly an hour, when, as if overcome by his
thoughts, he buried his face in his hands
and leaned forward on the table. Not until
the clock chimed two did he rouse from his
reverie.
/ As he moved his chair, noise behind it
caused him to turn his sunken eyes toward
the spot from whence it proceeded.
/ A young, fashionably dress man stood be-
fore him-a man whom he knew too well.
! The sudden and unexpected sight of this
person in his house at such an hour held
him speechless with establishment.
(. The unlimited guest was the first to break
the dead silence of the room. He bowed,
with sarcastic smile, and came round in
front of Mr.. Ovington.
''YOu are amazed at my visit, old man,
aren't you?" he said. ''Sorry to disturb you
at so late-or, should say, early-an hour,
but you were engaged in festivities which
precluded my speaking with you before, SO
haven't any time to waste, nor do I want
to keep you up-you ought to be in bed
now"
Mr.. Ovington did not reply to this speech,
but kept his eyes averted from the speaker,
and his fingers twitched nervously.
won't ask me to take seat, eh?" con-
tinued the man, impudently. I'm sorry
you are so discourteous However, Ill help
myself"
He made move to draw chair up to the
table.
The old man rose suddenly to his feet,
and, without uttering a word, stepped to-
ward the beH-wire; but, before he could
ring, the intruder placed his back against it.
''Don't get angry, Ovington," he said,
cooIly; 'I don't wish to bother you long,
assure you; but you must hear what haVs
to say. The last time I was in your palatial
residence, you ordered me out, and I went
quietly-this time l shall not go until ana
ready; so rest easy"
He sat down. near the bell-wire, and, plae-
ing his feet on an ottoman, took out from
his breast pocket case of cigars, which ha
held toward Mr.. Ovington.
"They are fine brand-have one!'
''This is infamousp' exclaimed Mr.. Owing.
ton, passionately. 'Ieave the house in
stantly, or shall call for help to eject your
The intruder smiled grimly.
''That would require explanations which
would not be compatible with your high
toned notions. Don't be so foolish, old
man. I have something important to say to
you"
''Speak on, then," said Mr.. OTington,
helplessly.
81 came here, sir, in the first place, to ask
you to reconsider your hasty proceeding in
shutting me out from my home, and forcing
me to live a life of crime and misery. I am
extremely sorry that should have acted SO
evilly, but it can be traced to boyish folly,
and not to the wickedness of advanced age,
for you know that / begged your pardon
with tears in my eyes, and you know that
meant it, too. That should be sufficient to
bring your mind to serious reflection on
your unwarrantable action in reprobating
me-"
The manner of the man was half-serious,
and his voice told of subdued
feeling.
''Why did you not think of this beforer
asked Mr. Ovington, sternly.
because of the hatred L entertained for
your contemplate move"
'sAh, indeed And you come here now,
upon the eve of the marriage of my daugh-
ter, to endeavor to conciliate me. You stole
my money, and then laid the blame upon
one whom I dearly loved. You saw that
old, trusted domestic go to prison innocent
of all wrong, and, when too late found out
your VIC B4ObB bAI9 pun SASA0AAOS SSAAA "a
incarceration had expired, and he came out
branded with that stigma which should have
alone rested upon you. Was it not just that
I should punish you in the manner which
would be most severet
''You could have handed me over to OIL
GERS of the law.
'.And have brought reproach upon Maudl"
exclaimed Mr.. OVington. "That l would
not do, nor can see how such a course
would have benefited you. No; you shall
be the only one to suffer. If you have come
here to coneiliate me. George Ovington, let
me at once give you to understand that the
task will not be accomplished"
s'Do you mean to say that if I, your only
son, who has long ago repented his evil
eourses-ifI ask you to forgive and take me
back to vour affections. Won viii refuse2
''n1osC pOsItlve1y; L refuse 70 nave any"
thing do with you, or any one belonging to
you"
''Do you wish to force me to life of
.eThere is no need of that. You have two
strong hands, and with them can easily win
your bread honestly, if you choose"
"Not so. am unwen most of the time,
and have been ever since you forbade me the
house, ten years ago. am not able to hold
q position in any business"
'eThat I do not believe, sirf' said Mr..
Ovington, frigidly. ''Do not lie to meI'
s'You will net receive me back into my
rightful homer
The old gentleman shook his head, sadly.
81 will not because I cannot, however
much I might desire to help you. 1t would
create bad odor; and, besides, could not
trust you"
ssHave YOU such an unforgiving spirit"
ssNo; do forgive you. But you must not
expect me to give you the same opportunity
to carry on your wickedness. forgive, but
am compelled not to forget, out OF justice to
all concerned"
s'Will you not assist me theny
Mr.. Ovington paused q moment before
answering this question.
''Yes, :" he said; 'T will pay your expenses
to California, and place at your disposal
thousand dollars, to be used as you may
think fit. That is all judge to be right,
under the circumstances"
''Will you allow me to visit my sister
Maud, in the bargain-and will you see that
Get an introduction to her husband?"
s1No-decidedly not Maud is too pure to
be contaminated by your society.
''Well, father, said the keen-eyed George,
while a sheer Iurked about the corners of his
mouth, 'T suppose your business troubles
have affected your bank account, but think
you might do something decent for me, at
any rate.
Business troublesl" he exclaimed. ''What
do you meant"
''Oh, have heard that you are on the
verge of bankruptcy, but that this marriage
will be the means Of keeping your head
above water"
''What folIyl am not in the least dam
ger of failing. Who told you that false
hood?"
al heard so, was the brief answer.
n.ysvoE0raro nwOfhaV fhoy1 fall IN
thinking of his sisters veracity and purity.
Presently he broke the silence.
GYou will not remember me in your will
nor give me round sum to help me along?
he said.
81 will do nothing more than have al
ready promised" returned Mr.. Ovington,
,ternly. ''Ah, the object of your coming
here in the dead of the night is plain
enough. You care neither for me nor mine,
but would coax me into assisting you to live
avishly and wickedly. You dare not come
IL. a g., fbaf I