Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1883-08-24

and-and Harry Wilton is implicated in it. II
yon appear ?, against him he is lost
from the very depths Of Ralph Oldcastle's
heart, and was followed by q long silence. II
will not appear against him." he said, at
length; s'don't say anything more about him
now, but tell me what can do for YOU"
Nothing, Ralph. am past all help; but if
am gone it will make my last hours easier
She will be utterly alone should anything
should the Worst-happen to her father; but
you will save him-I know you will. He was
sorely tempted, and was but the tool of others
Have mercy on him, Ralph-you who never
knew want or misery-who in your happy,
prosperous life, we're never brought face to
face with temptation. You must BIZ merciful,
for you are strong, and he has suffered"
81 will do what I can" The words
slowly and reluctantly, but he could not deny
the request of the woman, who with her last
breath pleaded for her husband, though he
had brought her to such pitch Of misery and
restitution. Yet he ground his teeth with sup
pressed rage, as he felt his vengeance slowly
slipping through his fingers. He was
hard man but he was human. and revenge was
out OF place by that couch; even Ralph Oldcas-
tie felt that.
After little moro conversation about Con-
ME- and some feebly expressed fears for her
future, Mrs. Wilton suddenly sunk into
daughter entered the room and glanced at the
couch anylously. Mother is worse,n
she whispered, 'swhat have you been saying to
her. sir?"
'Nothiug, darling. only that he will be kind
ly. s'Mr Oldcastle has been very, very good,
Connie, and you must be grateful to him all
your life."
eyes, MOTHER and her eyes filled with tears
Il could not help being grateful to any one
who was kind to you"
ha md T ink
your mother had better rest; she seems very
much fatigued. I'll call again tomorrow"
and Mr.. Oldcastle left the room hurriedly,
with a strange cold feeling down the back.
and his thoughts were of her as he walked up
and down the embankment for two hours be-
fore returning to his chambers, The ste nm
had cleared away, the atmosphere was lighter
and the lawyer felt lighter, too, than he had
been for a long time.
Before 10 o'clock the next morning he had
done two things that he would have laughed to
scorn at the mere suggestion of two days be-
fore He had thrown down his brief in the great
Clifton swindling case, and secured the services
of an able counsel to defend Henry Wilton
Then he went round to Mrs. Wiltons lodgings,
feeling a stsalthy sensation of pleasure as he
anticipated her Joy and gratitude Connie
opened the door IN answer to his knock, laid
her finger on her lip to command silence as
she led him in. The blind was down, and the
has slept quite peacefully for some hours"
the girl whispered, moving on tip-toe, eve
must be very careful not to wake her" Cau-
| tiously Ralph Oldcastle drew near the sofa, and
laid one fngor on the wasted wrist. Then he
drew back suddenly, aud Connie was at his
side in moment. One look into his face and
she read the whole truth. There was no moro
waking in this world for Constance Wilton,
aud with all exceedingly bitter cry her daugh-
ter dropped down insensible at Ralph Old
castles feet.
ct MIGHT HAVE KNOWN WHAT TO EXPECT FROM
A woMAN's GRATITUDE"
Six months passed By before the grim law
Yer IN Pump Court fully realized the great
change that had come over HIM. Life was
no longer the dull monotonous routine it
had been. There was brightness and beauty
in the sclidly shabby chambers, for Con-
ing with Mr.. Oldcastle ever since her
mothers death. He took her home that
day, and she had never left him since. His
efforts were unavaiIing to save her father; he
was too clearly guilty, but death released
him from paying the penalty Of his crimes;
Connie was alone in the world. At first the
lawyer did not know what to do with her, but
she adapted herself to his life, and fitted with
his ways wonderfully. There was plenty of
| room in those rambling chambers, and she
soon had two little closets fitted up for her
all in the way. AS the weeks and months
| passed he became distinctly conscious of one
| thlng-he could never lose her again. She bad
grown into his heart and into his life, filling
the place once occupied by her mother, and
this second love that had sprung up in him
was perhaps more intense than the first. One
Tsday he did not go out in the morning ACCORD
| ing to his usual custom, and Connie started
when she entered the sitting-room and found
| him there.
b. IL = 04,>~,
| uneasy, ald Mr.. Oldcastle construed the cir
culnstarces fsvorably, and resolved to hesitate
! no onger. ''Come here, Constance" he said,
| gently drawing her to the high couch, 81 have
! something Of great Importance to say to you.
| Listen, my dear one, love you. lwant you to
| be my wife,
''Oh, no, no-that can never be-" she cried,
! spripging away from him with such an express
sion Of utter dismay that ne grew sick and
| chill ooh, please, Mr. Oldoastle, don't say
| that!''
II must say it, for it is true. I love you,"
he replied, with some return of his logged
| manner; whether you care for me or not is
another question. Am I 80 very hateful that
you cannot even come near me?"
1T is not that" she walled, kneeling beside
him and hiding her face on his knee. IT love
you dearly, dearly, but not that way--I never
| thought Of it, never dreamed of it."
SIS it too late to think of II now, then?''
| eyes, too late. Oh, please do not say any
more"
'You love some one else. As your guardian,
| have at least the right to ask that Tell me
the truth, Constance I will know it," be
added, fiercely-jealousy, anger and disap-
pointment all surging like fire through his
! veins, but she only sobbed silently, utterng no
word, aud glanoing At him with pleading, tear
| full eyes,
81 might have known what the expect from
q woman's gratitude,'' he muttered, fiercely,
'like mother-like daughter, only she has not
deceived me. She, at least has not deluded
me with false promises and false hopes: but
she is not honest and straight How could
! she be with such father and mother?"
| At that moment the sitting door opened
suddenly, and Edward Little swung into the
room. Seeing Connie sobbing on the carpet,
| he was at her side in moment
my darling what is the matter?" he said,
taking both her hands, care you ILL.,"
Ralph OldcasAe reeled back step as if
struck with a sudden blow. s'You, too,p he
| cried; this is too much. Edward Little,
stand back; and Constance Wilton, look up
| and answer me"
! t:rll answer for her, sir" the young fellow
said firmly, drawing the trembling girl closer
| to him. II love her, and she returns my affec-
ton and has promised to be my wife, that's
all: I'm sorry. sir, that we did not ask your
| consent, but it came on us both before We
| knew"
''You have spoken to me of gratitude, Ed
| ward Little; it pleased you on various occa-
| sions to remark that I had been a friend to
you. Did you mean to prove your gratitude
| by stealing the affections Of my ward, and be-
traying the confidence reposed in you--but
I expected nothing, and am not disappointed.
You may CO. have nothing further to say!
s'But have. sir! have betrayed no trust,
been guilty Of no fault Day after day, week
after week, month after month, yon have left
her here alone, without soul to speak to
| save me- I loved HEREUNDER the circum
stances no one could help doing so-and was
| fortunate enough to win her affections iu re-