Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1882-05-06

woman whom l loved, and who SEEM
ed to love me, and incurred Debt
for her-a debt which, IN a wild mo-
ment, when I had just been scorn-
fully cast off by her-I paid with
your money"
"What was your debit" Mr.. Lyle
asked briefly.
"It was for ring"
"a ring with Diamond get in a
cluster of rubies ?" the merchant ask
ed with flash of remembrance.
Eyes sir" Thorley said, reluctant
ly.
The merchant sat down, and, mo-
tioning Thorley to seat, remained
come moments thoughtful. and with
his face averted. Then touching the
bell, he waited, while Frank Thorley
covered his face with his hands.
Tell Miss Roxle I wish to see her
here" he said to the servant who an
swered his summons.
Roxie was just going out and she
came dressed as she was for the par
ty. feecy white fl ating about her /;
her lips red, her cheeks aglow and
her eyes sparkling.
She Redeemed at sight Of Frank
Thorley's ghastly tace.
"Did yon send for me, papa ?" she
asked of her father, who sat with his
face in shadow.
For reply he reached and took her
ungloved hand in his. 1t was dain-
ty hand, sle1 der, small and white,
glittering with rings. He put his fin
ger upon one, small diamond sur
rounded by rubies, and lifted his
glance to hera.
Roxie shrank little, and looked
as If about to cry.
Turning toward Frank Thorley,
Mr.. Lyle said, "ul on one condition l
will forgive you. Repeat what you
have just said to me, in the presence
of this misguided girl"
Poor Frank Thorley Perhaps he
thought even exposure would be pref
cradle to such humiliation before her
whom he loved. Perhaps a second
thought of his mother came and
nerved him. He hesitated only
moment, and told the story with a
half desperate, half sarcastic elo.
quence, that took the vivid color out
of Roxie's brilliant face.
won't you forgive me, Frank ?"
she cried, and clung to her father
with burst Of sobs.
"Will you forgive her, Frank Thor
ley, or not ?" demanded Mr.. Lyle.
Heaven knows I forgive her, sir,
as I hopo to be forgiven"
"Thank you, sir. I think she has
wronged you M ore than you wronged
me, aud l will show you, young man,
how I can forgive tomorrow.
But when the morrow came, Frank
Thorley had left New York, with his
mother; and vain were all Mr.. Lyle's
efforts to discover him.
Years passed. There came fnan-
cial crash; and though everybody
supposed Lyle & Co. too firmly estab
lished to be shaken, they were una
bic to outrlde the storm.
Scrupulously honest now as ever,
Mr.. Lyle gave up everything; and
made no effort to save so much as
Roxie's piano from going under the
hammer.
Never mind, papa" sho said soft
y to h m that last night before the
sale; 1--WE have still each other, aud
| am young. Perhaps may find
some use for those accomplishments
you have lavis.ed upon m, SO freely.
You didn't think, she added with
an attemp at gayety, "that you were
putting money by when you were
spending it on Inc, did you2"
"Hesven knows what is to become
of usP moaned the unhappy mer-
chant. Tomorrow, at this time, we
shall have no right even to the roof
that covers our heads. But heaven
bless you, my child. for this sweet
courage. II is something to have SO
brave a child. You have been 80
used to such freedom from care,
though, Rcxle-I wish you had mar
ried, dear, and you would have had
home now."
II have got you, papa, and there's
nobody like better"
"Nobody, Roxie ?"