The Progress. [volume] (White Earth, Minn.) 1886-1889, 1888-06-23

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"a s3as.,,. ".HoLRoYD GRAHAM, sIRn 49,
aristocratic face of the stranger in sur
prise
'sAnd who is this little MAZDA, liftint
Freda's chin and looking earnestly into the
brown eyes so like those Of the mother
This is Freda, sir and we are twins,
replied wondering Holly.
'sAnd where is the mother this lovely
days'
Mamma is sick, sir and we are
afraid"-and the boyish face contracted
with swift spasm Of pain, for even his
light heart had become Swallowed by the
knowledge that soon, only 100 soon, there
would be two graves in the green cemetery
to cherish.
And there is a Grace, too, is there
nots" and the strangers voice grew ten
der and pitiful as he thought of the little
letter in his desk at home, and earnestly
wished he had come long ago.
But Grace must stay with mamma; she
coughs so dreadfully we can not leave he1
alone, !" replied Freda, timidly.
The unsuspicious children talked on
without a thought of concealment, until
the tall stranger was in full possession Of
the family history, with it's pitiful strng-
giles and discouragements, so far as they un-
derstood them, and even Grace's self
denial in regard to the music lesson was re-
hearsed
And have kept my wealthand grudged
them helping hand in their need, u,
thought the old man, in bitter self -reproach.
And now, my little man, do you know
who ANA" he asked aloud
"A very kind gentleman, am sure, sir,';
replied Holly, modestly; his simple little
heart had never once guessed at the truth.
Have you never heard of your Grand
father Graham?''
ooh, yes, sir, but he is very angry with
US all, and has been unkind to u.s. replied
Holly, innocently.
"But he will be unkind no longer,n said
the old man, eagerly. 6 / am your grand
father, dear children, and, please God, the
past shall be atoned for in the future, an6
now let us go to mamma and Gracen
Who can be coming home with the chill
dren, = said Grace, as she stood in the cot.
tage door shading her eyes with her hand
from the brilliant snnsi5h She
pretty picture, her brown hair floating Oft
in the fresh breeze, her cheeks flushed
and her graceful form arrayed in q light
dress, plain and cheap to be sure, but taste
fully and becomingly made
Her quick intuition took in the possible
identity of the stranger, and fearing the eff.
feet OF the sudden surprise upon the
mother should her surmise prove correct,
she stepped out to the gate to meet them
ooh, Gracie,'' cried Holly, this is
grandpa and we met him at the cemetery"
He put out his slender white hand draw.
ing her to him, and looking at her search
ingly. My dear child, forgive me that l
have left you to bear SO much alone,n he
said, gently, as he pressed kiss on her
fresh, young lips.
Grace looked up at the handsome old face
through a mist of tears. Was this the
stern, cold grand-parent whom she had al
most learned to hate? Yes, but stern and
cold no longer; the first look into Holly's
face, so like the one he had loved SO tender.
ly, had broken down the last shred of preju-
dice and completed the work which the
loneliness of old age and the desolation of
his splendid home had commenced in his
heart And Grace, as she saw the tender
light in the eyes looking down at
her so pityingly, felt all her hard feelings
toward him melting away, and longed to
weep out the griefs which she had borne so
patiently alone upon his friendly bosom
Does he come in peace or in angera'
asked the widow, TREMENDOUSLY, when Grace
suddenly broke the unexpected news to her,
In peace, daughter, and anxious to
make atonement for the long years Of bit
terness and neglect in the past, u replied the
old man, who had heard the question and
answered for himself.
This was the beginning of better DAYS
for the family; the mothers disease had
progressed so far that her case was hope
less, but every thing which wealth and
love could procure was provided to allevi-
vate her sufferings, and when at last
her spirit took its fight, Holroyd Grahams
hand closed the tired eyes and crossed
the weary hands over the breast which
would never more be disturbed by earthly
prejudices, or life's stern necessities.
They laid her beside her soldier husba
in Green Brookside, and then the orphans
were made ready for long trip among the
mountains to recover from the effects of
the long confinement and the griefs and
anxieties of the past: and it was nearly
autumn before the old home mansion was
reached, and the great house echoed once
more with young voices, and was bright
ened by loves warming atmosphere.
The children became the very darlings
of their gr, afather,s heart. and their
education, VIII 4Terty had seriously in.
terfered with, wa resumed with renewed
zeal, and Gracie's musical talent in partic-.
ular was carefully cultivated, though no
longer a necessity as a means of support,
There is only one drawback to the com
pleteness Of their happiness, and that is the
thought that the dear mother can not shar1
it, and Holroyd Graham signs as he thinks
OF the many years of happiness which, in
his cruel prejudice and unforgiving spirit
he has deprived himself OF, and also thinks
OF the many years Of privation and suffer
ing he caused the gentle woman whom he
came to love SO well, before she left him.
and the hard and unaccustomed tasks
which, through his neglect, the feeble
hands were forced to perform, when :
1.-THE Of the wealth which he would never.
have missed, and little Of his love, which
should have been hers hv ~ uh+ cn,,I1 I,,.,...%