Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-01-24
A BRIGHT ENDING.

1d0 risen L penny u fuaI. Coal WIS d siiiii
ings q ton, and there were strikes all
over England. Long before the usual
time the singing birds were flying south.
wards, and numbers of small animals
were stocking their cupboaris and get
ting their winter nests ready. In he
first week of December there was a
heavy fall of snow, and in Chester ter
race the aspect was bright and beautiful.
Stars and moon We're shining on II, and
the fresh crisp air was thronged with
white wings floating and falling.
Upon Mr. Eversole. this beauiy iy-sweet
TO some, cruel TO more-produced no inn
preston Indeed, winter was shut ont.
1t was night Heavy curtains shaded
the windows of the Injurious study, in
which nothing was lacking that could
contribute To the enjoyment Of material
life. From ceiling to floor were sheiN es
lined with books; there were bnsts of
great men in suitable places; .here wsre
pictures on the walls, the most conspicu-
Gus being portrait of Mr.. ESersole him
self, hung where the light fell on it night
and day. Ii was curiously uui,attering
resemblance Some men would have had
the hard lines and lights of the features
softened. but Mr.. Eversole seemed to
take pride in them
Books. manuscripts and wine were or
the study table: a cheerful fire WAS hlslz-
ing; soft and soothing light was diff
fused through the room. Despite these
evidences of comfort, MIR. Eyersole as
disturbed in spirit. He expected visit pr,
and he glanced i'm mnatiently at the clock.
His thought WAS, Shiftless. lost, with no
sense of responsi oility.7 And further,
"Why are they permitted
The minutes passed. TIE silvery
tongue of the clock, on the summit Of
which was represented a gloomy figure
of Time. proclaimed the passing of
another hour. At each stroke the scythe
rose and descended with the air OF an
ayenger VINO took delight in staying the
record. When the sounds ceased ser
want made his appearance, and saying,
~Mr. Richard sir,r admitted a man white
with snow.
His clothes were shabby and denoted
poverty, but he bore himself in the pres
ence OF Mr. Eversole rs an equal would
have done. He WAS tall and spare, his
hands were finely shaped, and in his face
a gentle nature was portrayed.
You should have shaken it of ont
side" said Mr. Eversole in tone Of dis
pleasure, poiatiag to the snow on his
visitor S clothing.
1T did not occur TO me- said Mr.. Rich
ard. Il have other matters To think Of"
"Weighty matters, doubtless, said Mr..
Eversoic. with sneer
Very weighty,' assented Mr.. Richard,
gravely.
You have kept me waiting. I made
the appointment for s 1t is now o."
Indeed. But you may guess have no
watch"
-There are churches
"True. there are churches. A moment,
please
He pressed his hand on the table to
support himself through fit Of terrible
coughing, which almost tore him to
pieces
"Pardon me- he said presently, with
laboring breath. @This sort of thing
must be very unpleasant to YOU
at is-eminently So"
But it happens, fortunately or unfor-
tunately for me, to be unavoidable. Tell
me the object OF this meeting, and re-
member ii is not l who sought it"
'You would have come to ME, sooner
or later
"Never told you so when we last
met. But twill be proatlcss to handy
words. Wha; is your object in bidding
me come here's
lit is for your good, not for mine.
Thought one last appeal, from man in
my position 10 man as low as you,
might not be thrown away. Understand,
ii will be the last time We shall speak to-
gether.7
apart from any resolution you have
formed said Mr.. Richard, and there
was in his voice a touch of scornful sweet
ness, lit is more than likely that after
this night we shall meet no more. Be
sure that shall not seek you out. Come,
strange as it may sound in your ears, my
time just now is of infinitely more value
than yours ! can not afford TO have il
wasted. Disclose what is in your mind
and end the farce. You have wearied me
already
Unbidden, he sank into chair, not
from WEAKNESS, but from physical weak
ness.
Il prefer said Mr. Eyersole, mot to be
brutal
THAT is good thing
And | shall state, In my own way,
how the account between us stands
~Ah,T said Mr.. Richard, simply; but
there was glitter in his eyes as'he pre-
pared to listen.
You and / have known each other
now, said Mr. Eversole, making an arch
Of his fingers and thumbs. "for some
eight and twenty years"
IN the art of reckoning you were al
ways a master. Yes; / was scarcely 2
years of age when you married my
mother"
~You received at my hands every at
tention, but you scorned my teaching.
and laughed at my counsels. You chose
your own roads, and you went-to the
dogs
"A convenient platitI' remarked
Mr.. Richard
In contrast with the pallid hue of his
face, the smile with which he accom-
panied the remark was pitiable to see.
You had fortune in your own right,
and you squandered it. Morally speak
ing. your life has been an outrage. You
have sunk until you have reached the
lowest depth. You are irremediable lost
and degraded. On three occasions paid
your debts for you, and extricated you
from difficulties which can only be
termed disgraceful"
You paid my debts for me before
came of age, ont of money which was
mine; and when / came into possession
Of my fortune you presented me with
careful account, which settled without
Have you finished,-
-Not quite. Ny object in sending for
you is to make you an offer. l will
Dettle a certain sum upon you on the CON
dition that you leave the country and
never return
-Name the sum-
"A pound a week during the course OF
your life, to be paid to you weekly by an
appointed agent, and 10 cease the
lnI1 rinlat.a the conlifinn