Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1886-11-19

fingered daS after day. as If 10th 1.
leave the cottage. One blustcrlAi
day. when he had been in the cil
since early morning, be came home
after dusk. Nell thought there were
two pa'rs of feet on the stairway. but
concluded she must have been mis-
taken when Mr.. Harris entered the
sitting room alone. Fannie was sit
ting near the window, and the old
man took seat very near rs he said:
IL heard some news in town to-
day"
Everybody looked interested.
Herbert Norris died N England
inc me about it He has son, a no
bic fellow, who left the city after he
did to try To find him and persuade him
to restore the money he had taken.
But when he did find him he ascertain
ed that he had nothing! The
money, his own, trust funds. every
thing. was invested in unfortunate
speculalicns. and il was 10 AVOID ruin
and disgrace the man fled. HIS son
stayed by him. working for him. siriv-
ing 20 make him return and face the
consequences of his imprudcncc. but
his heart was broken. and h. died
Died in poverty and grief. But his
son came nome 10 face the m scry and
disgrace from which his father fled
He brought his clear brain and legal
knowledge TO bear upon the complied
tons. and he has succeeded IN getting
affairs INTO training. 1t may he months
before there J. any result but Fred.
Norris faces thc world to-day rs mn
honest man. free from any completely
in hi, fathers disgrace. But he Is
very sad. very lonely. | think if he
had Il few loving words to cheer him
on. tho thought that he had not alto
gethcr forfeited a love he strove hard
10 win. the hope that success in the fu-
turc might mean vile 5 love, u happy
home. he why Fam
For Fan had risen from her Eat, her
cheeks glowing. her eyes radian-.
Where is hc?' She said softly.
"In my room. will call him
down
But Fred. fingered IN the hall till
Fan. went out. softly closing the door.
They came in presently together, aad
Aunt sue and Nell gave the young man
a cordial welcome.
When they were all seated again
John Harris said suddenly.
Miss Dorrimer had You ever .
brother John. who went 10 CailtOrni;
many years ago scapcgracc boy.
who deserted home and friends in ;
spell, OF gold fever, and never cam,
home again?
Il had brother John, Susan IN
swcrcd softly, who was very dear g.
me. He went TO California. bat 10
wrote now and thcn.'
You know nothing OF him now
Il wrote TO HIM last spring. but
think he never got tie letter.
'Why?'
"Rccau.c-I Che girls did no.
know)-l told him OF orr trouble ii
was SO hard for the girls 10 loose every
thing. you see). and ann -urc he woulC
have ans wcred If he had received tn,
letter
''Is he rich?"
Il don't know
But do. and | will tell you. Fo
years and years ill-luck crossed hin
every where. He made money by dig
cing and was robbed. He grew rich IL
/ business and was burned oat. When
/ ever prosperity came misfortune follow
( cd close at its heels So he was aSham
/ ed TO write home and record his fail
ures. hoping ut some time 10 have ;
/ different tale to tell. He was right
/ The tide turned and he made fortune
/ n good round sum, safely invested
/ Then he heard of trouble at home ant
be thought how pleasant il would b.
to have home. Bachelor rs he was
he craved home-love and life. III
thought tenderly OF the bluc-eye'
sister he had left a slip of girl, Of th'
nieces he had never seen. 80 he ar
ranged his business and came To New
York. He took one man into his con
iidencc-his brothers old physician
he came out TO the humble ,ottage--
Here the speaker was Interrupted
Sue was in his arms, sObbng:
ITO think never knew YOU"
Nell was executing species of wa
dance around the arm chair in whicl
John Dorrmcr sat, and Fan was bend
ing over the VIII lie head. her hand soft
" caressing the snowy locks.
Before the winter came they wcr
all in the old home again, the cottag
being bv unanimous vote retained for
summer residence Fan was married
when the new year dawncd. thicG1
NeUs.