The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1883-06-23
cool uncle Of Nellie Mason.


Arrived at the house, he was usher
ed into a plainly -furni he'd parlor,
! where, in moment he was joined by
the younger Mason.
Henry Mason started trile as he
recognized his early visitor, and put
out his hand, hestatingly-
Richard Martin grasped it, with .
strong grip and shook it heartily.
''Let US be friends" he said, smil-
ing Then, noting the surprised look
! on the others face, he added: 81 ought
not owe you a grudge, and do not"
"Then We are friends" said Henry
Mason.
"There is no use in our wasting
words, Henry" continued Richard
Martin. ''lf have misjulged you, I
| regret it. AS your father declares
You innocent, l have come here to
| tell you to return to your wife"
my wifc!"
chair: Eyes, your wife /; of course
you knew Of her illness. Rut, of
cour e, you dared not return, as you
feared results. Let me give you the
credit that y.u deserve. You love
| your wife-love her passionately;
we'll. 1t is not altogether certain that
she does not love you. ! believe she
is now able to talk WITH you, and, if
you let hsr know at once that you
have been guilty OF no otfense, who
can PREJUDICE that she will still assert
that she despises you." 9
The, young man sat staring at the
speaker as II he thought him either
jesting or insane. TsfEt a
."HowJ can you give me this advise,
Richard Martin-you who"
s'Neyer mind that-what is past is
past. Your father sanctions the
course ! recommend a.s,
"Ah then must think seriously
Of T.. My fathers words have great
weight now. had intended staying
here until the summer, and then
! would have gone to some country
plaesfor recuperation. My health is
much impaired"
All! it needed not that he should say
that. His features delared it plainly
enough.
"But will not hesitate as to my
course now" he added, ''as it is too
plainly, marked out Thanks, Rich
ard Martln-thank, for your generous
noble interest in my welfare"
Several days after this interview, :,
Nellie Mason ceiyed the letter which
caused her such astonishment and
made her, for short time, hysterical.
She answered through her father, that
she would see her husband when he
chose to call.
A day or two after this answer was
mailed, the house was besieged by DR..
Charles Bishop and wife, Richard
Martin and old Mr.. Mason.
They had come on friendly visit
that was all. The entire party seemed
in the s,est Of spirits, and soon Mel
lie and her parents were laughing and
chatting, regardless Of past troubles.
It was during this that the hall
bell rang.
This was signal, as Nellie after
ward found; FOR Immediately the
guests vacated the pariors.
When Henry Mason, Jr., entered
he found his wife sitting alone.
Oh! how her heart throbbed!
And was this pale, careworn man
her husband! Ina moment she pitied
him.
He advanced and held out his hand
She hesltatcd a moment, then took
it.
Both were deathly pale.
81 am not criminal, Nellie" hi
said, s.you see am free. There is nc
centaglon in my touch.."
Oh, in what a sad, sad voice were
those words uttered.
Nellie sank upon the settee, almost
y faint from the meeting and hel
thoughts.
"There has been q mistake, and my
father thought that, possibly, yol
might forgive me the apparent in
jury did your good name!"
IF there was . mistake committed
. why did you confess in prison tha
you CANT ed away your own money
and was +, -ced to take your fathers ?
! Nellie s, oke coldly and gave him
pcnetratiL glance.
ell hs no intention of tekinl
more than belonged to me, but over
drew the amount unrehectingly YET
really what | took was my own, o.
has since been discovered"
His wife rose from the settee, an,
the stern expression Of her coun
tenance relaxed.
D "Are you speaking the truth? ?"
eyes. I was innocent of all inten
i. to rob my father. That is the truth.
6 "Then, as your wife, l am in dut,
bound, compelled to honor YOU"
"Honor me! Is that all ?''
"That is all at present. You wer
, noble, generous to me, and foolishl
mistook gratitude for love. l will b
!, wife to you, but love you neve
can.''
> He staggered as she said that, ant