The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-10-20
Robin stood speechless. Brocklo.


worth went on in an easy tone:
your mistress puts such faith in
your word you can easily cheat her into
the belief you've been robbed! Don't
stand there like log, you stupid.
frightened fool!'' some Irritation com,
ing into his voice, ''such things hammer
in the city every weekr'
81 won't do itr' in low, determined
voice. u
You won't, Ell? Then | shall con-
slider it my painful duty to inform your
mistress and friends generally what
kind OF man honest Robin really is
On It's no empty threat have PAPERS
in my pocket that'll prove it,
VIII ye drive me mad?" broke
forth Robin wildly. "Wha was it led
me astray, a puir, thoughtless lad of
fltteen, VIVA never harmed a saul till
you came to tempt me? What Wi the
drink you gied me (and never a drap
had.l tasted till that night), and YOUR
fause, fattering tongue, | scarce kenned
what | was about! The hall things
like a dream to me, noor'
unfortunately for you, the Court
didn' t take that view of the matter!''
said Brockleworth, with a sheer. at
can't be quite dream to YOU that YOU
worked for your board several months
in States Prison to pay for those few
sovereiigns you extracted from your en-
ployer's drawer"
eyes, and wha pit me up to it, and
then turned evidence against me when
he feared he'd get into trouble him
sell ~ asked Robin. with bitter empha-
sis. zane wha ca ad himself a gentle
leman, too! Gang ava, We black,
poisonous snake! Ye're not fit to baud
company wi me, for a my ain wrong
doing! But what's the use of talking"
said the poor fellow, grief overcoming
his momentary anger. ut a0as my own
faut-to let sic a young deevil get the
lead O. me, and be tempted into
sin by him! Oh my puir mither
| broke yomr heart, and noo"-
Come, Robin, this snivelling won't
pass! | mean business! just think
what your wife would say, that pious,
amiable creature who would die rather
than take q hair-pin that wasn't her
own
'Ill stop your tongue, scoundrelr'
said Robin, raising his club, and spring.
ing forward,
'Robn! Robin!'' shrieked voice be-
hind him, and Robin staggered back
against tree, while the club dropped
on the ground. Brockleworth, who had
sprung nimbly to one side, paused, as
founded, his hand in his breast,pocket.
Helen went up to Robin, and put her
hands on his shoulders.
"Robinn' she said, in a voice of ten
der reproach, why couldna you trust
me-your ain wife, wha loes YOU better
than onything else in the world?"
Robins breast heaved-be put both
hands to his face, and the passionate
sobs broke forth. Helen put her arm
gently around his neck.
Come hame wi me, dear, and leave
that bad man to himselfn' turning her
eyes a moment on Brockleworth
"Not so fast, my dearn' said that
worthy, his batfled rage and spite be-
traying themselves even in the smooth
ness of his voice. "Others may not be
so ready to extend their confidence to a
jail-bird as you are, and'-
Helen faced him like lioness.
''Out of my sight, you monster! If
ye daur to open your lips against my
puir lad-if ye dinna leave this place
tonight, I'll haze the law of you! Didna
[ hear yon wi my ain ears tempting him
to rob my mistress? Be off wi you,
this moment"
With a muttersd oath, BrockleWorth
turned and strobe away.
''Robin," said Helen, laying her hand
again on her husbands arm, "ar'na
you coming hame? The BARNS may be
walking, and"
Robin uncovered his face. There
was an an air of gentle manliness about
him that had been wanting of late.
"Forgie me, Helenn' he said, as he
took her in his arms, and that was all
he could say. Helen burst into tears.
80 Robin, forgie me! I've been sac
cauld and hard to you, and you wi this
load on your mind!''
Darling, dinna break my heart!
You've saved me-saved me frae being
a murderer as weel as thief. God
bless you! By His help I'll be an hon
est man frae this day.
Brockleworth did not succeed in es-
Gaping the detectives were already on
his track, and by their prompt action
he met with just punishment for his
life of crime. Although Robins past
history soon became public in the little
village, and for q time he met with
averted looks from his old friends, the
firm stand taken in his favor by his
mistress, to whom he had made a full
confession of his boyish misdeeds, soon
re-established him in their regards.
Honest and noble at heart, he was for
tunate enough to meet with that kind
ness which might save many youthful
criminal, were it accorded in time, and
the remainder of his life was spent in
honest work at the side of his faithful
wife, while no cloud ever rose between
them again. clara Brougtto1a, m NetC
| York Examiner.
| VV..,