Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1888-05-10
CHAPTER XIV.

Before the time arrived for their journey
she proposed to visit him. Louis look
ed distressed, but offered no objection
You are going long way from him.
He Is getting old. You may never see him
again. It is your duty, my husband. If
you do not wish me to 90, ] will remain
here"
II shall never go where i do not wish
my Blessing to accompany me. / dread
the effect 1t win have upon you"
LET US 20, Louis; do You suppose
anght on earth can lessen my love for
ycu2" emphasizing the remark in her az
fectionate manner. Your uncle, Jocob
Sharp. was very cordial to us in Boston
after he knew We were there"
"He knew when we arrived, dear. He
waited six months before calling upon Us
to ascertain whether his set were going
10 accept US as equals. You do not know
the heartlessness of the world, Birdie
May you ever be preserved from it.
owe my father little gratitude. He did
his children all the harm parent could.
He brought them into life stained with q
lifelong curse"
"Hush, Louis; will not listen. We
will go and see him. Now that you are
a happy man you may loose the bitter
ness you have carried in your heart so
many years, When you meet him il
will melt away. know it'll feel it,
The wise little wife was right Mr..
Sharp gave his children gracious recsp-
ton. His polished manner and pleasant
conversation attracted Myrta. at is in
born" she said to LOUIS, ''as yours is.
You can never loose it by rough contact
any more than he has. 1t is a royal in
heritance.
She told Mr.. Sharp OF their life in Bos-
ton, how she had sung everyw where and
been petted and sought after; how Louis
had been noted as an artist and 'espect-
ed as gentleman; that Uncle Jacob
Sharp had insisted upon their coming to
his house and staying week before they
let the city. and had given grand re-
ception in their honor; and how happy
they had been together, and how good
and loyeahle Louis seemed to her. She
told all this psrched on Louis knee with
one plump hand on his neck, as the
three sat in Mr.. Sharp's private room,
where Holland had first come into some
Of the secrets of the family. 81 wanted
TO visit you before we left America. This
dear boy was not. disposed to fetch me.
You know he was not happy in his boy
hood. The recollection clings to him
and he breads to revive il. He has car
ed too much for the worlds estimate.
want him to carry happy memory away
with himfof his childhood's home, 80
was determined to come here with him
and enjoy good time with you"
The old gentleman's eyes were rivited
upon her face. When she paused he
began, Il am grateful TO you, my daurh-
ter, for bringing my son to visit me.
was grieyed that he did not come before
he went to Boston. Still. he has cause to
feel hurt with me. did him cruel in
justice when / denied him his fathers
name. His mother was noble woman,
yirtuous and intelligent, my superior in
many respects. and / loved her. was
weak and guilty when let Louis 90 to
my brother to be educated not to have
told Jacob the truth and acknowledged
him TO be my own child and legal heir
The pride that prompted that deed has
kept me from acknowledging my wrong
doing. You have opened the way, my
daughter, / thank you. / felt joy when
l learned that he had taken his true
name into his business and publishing
house. Louis. my son. can you forgive
my injustice?" He came toward fhe
young couple who rose to meet him.
"By the help Of my sweet wife, my
father, / viii. Ii has embittered my
whole existence. have carried that
and my tainted skin like sharp knife
in my heart. 1t has cut deep, but pray
that the wound may heal" He held his
fathers hand as he spoke. When he
concluded, Myrta put her arms around
the old mans neck, exclsiming. ~ love
you, father. you have redeemed the past
so far as it is possible. I am so glad" p
He was much affected end wept quietly
long lime after Myrta had settled back
into her husbands arms.
Il told you So" she whispered in his
ear with merry twinklIna N her eye.
"You know more Of human nature
than / gave you credit for. shat al
ways be happier for this visit. Birdie"