The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-04-06
Promise me, promise me-not one y
Not one. For your sake, wiley, not

one"
go, my noble boy! carry peace TO
that poor, sorrowful old man who, what
ever may have been his faults, is still
Your fathcr-and mine''
Lawrence answered her with glance
Of generous meaning as he turned the
handle, entered the room, and closed the
door softly behind him.
There are scenes 50 solemn that even
the story-teller shTinks from intruding
upon them. There are gaps in most his
tories that should remain sacred, silent,
unproianrd. The door that shut out
even Kate and Edith, and Reginald,
must include us also. Tears such rs
doubtless flowed at that first painful
meeting between the repentant father
and the injured son require no witness
OF earth.
After the lapse of what seemed an age
to the three anxious watchers in an all
joining chamber, Kate heard her name
softly called by Lawrence, and al
vanced 10 the library, where he admit
ted her
She saw Richard Davenport standing
IN the centre OF the room, pale, but com
posed An expression of subdued glad
ness irradiated his face, causing the
mouth she had once thought somewhat
hard u grow tender, and the ewes she
had hitherto seen veilcd in sternest
gloom u listen with the light OF some
lie $ great Joy Springing up within him
A. Kate looked upon him she knew that
her husband had kept his word, and
that the reconciliation was complete.
Tho old man stepped forward to meet
her, and, taking both her hands in his,
EaZed at her with a strange mingling
Of earnestncss, timidity, and affection.
80 you are Lawrencc's wife" lac said,
ut length. Can you find little place
IN your heart for one who, by errors,
well-nigh Mnpardonable, brought such
heavy trouble upon your earliest welded
hours ~
DO not let rs speak Of the past" she
replied. Have we not each OF us been
the victim OF wicked plot? Kiss me,
father; ki,s me, and forget it all"
He embraced her fondly, and pressed
his lips 10 her cheek several times
Brave, beautiful girl :" he exclaimed.
"ilow can ever bs grateful to you as
Won deserve"
"By not thinking me an impostor," she
smiled, Tor coming To YOUR house as Miss
Raymond instead of Kate Davenport. |
am not wholly to blame in that matter
II waS the detective who organized the
scheme, and placed myself entirely un-
der hls guidance, believing in ms wisdom
and experience"
You GiI right, my dear You did
NOR than right. You did more than
right. You showed wonderful courage
an devotion, without which ruin must
have oyc.taken me like an awiil TEN
pest. l have Just heard the whole story
from Lawrence, and l need hardly tell
YOU with what astouishment | listened
NV admiration, and, let me say, my love
Tor YOU Is Dogndlcss. If l could only do
something to prove my gratitude But
that is impossible
Not at all, papa. l have a great favor
TO ask OF you, l came IN here prepared
to cry ~ b"on-a boon "
Name il, Iny child. Nothing you may
ask me will l refuse, even TO half my
Kingdom " he said, gayly.
That is exactly what I am about TO
require OF you; but not for myself. One
half is already secured 10 me" (she indi-
Gated Lawrence with playful wave of
her hanI), "anl l am perfectly satisfied
with NV share. | now wish YOU TO dis
pose OF the other half according to my
will and pleasure. OF course, you Will
understand that | speak OF dear Edith ~
Yes; and what OF her ?'
Il want you TO give her away"
"tiive her away? To whom ?"
"To the man she loyes-to the man who
loves her"
Lieutenant Gwynne. Our warm
hearted, faithful friend, Reginald"
Il guessed IS much" laughed Daven-
port. "In my dark days l had hazy
suspicion that liking had grown UP be-
tween the two; but had no idea il had
| taken such deep root already. You want
10 seize the bull by the horns-to strike
while tine irons hot-to hit poor fcl-
| low when he's down. That's Itch ?"
ave do" said Kate with demure
| to enlarge the circle OF our bliss 50 that II
NAV take US ali within its bounds, iuclu.
ding yours III ="
We'll, where are they ?" he cried rub
bling his hands, gleeiulIy. Bring them
| in I'll give them q leCturc-ll Il serve
! thcm 9Ut Tor all their sly tricka--I II show
( them what it is 70 try and get over an old
father in this way-Il nar. them for
ever, and ever, aud ever. Bring them in ~
Kat, flew 10 the door.
acknowledgement - she cried.
| The young lovers entered Immediately,
| being, rs We may suppose, not hundred
| miles away, by prcconcerted arrange
ment with Kate, the conSPir:ltor.
! Sow, sir, said Davenport, addressing
/ the lieutenant with comical air, some.
| thing between 4 smile and a irown-
! "seciils N me, sir, that YOU have been
making love 10 my daughter without my
| knowledge or consent. What have you
to s:Iy for yourself?'
simply this, AIr. Davenport, that
love her as my life. You might trus
her TO i richer and, maybe better man
thai. / am but not to one to whom slI,
can be mUre dear
| II suppose L n.ust believe that youl
excus is greater than your fault ?''
| 1t i indeed, SIT.
| "And what does my little Edith say
| Come hither, child, and breathe a wore
| in vour father ear"
| Edith placed her arms around hcl
fathers neck, and drew his face clost
down to her blushing cheek.
"Oh! that's 1t, is it p" he said, in reply
to her whisper. Then there is nothin.
lett for me but to turn you both, necl
and crop, out OF the house, with an oil,
slipper flying after you-at the proper
time | mean. Here, Gwynnc, take her
and be As happy as you can. She ha
| positively had the assurance to admit t.
me that she loves you confess mysel
defeated all around and glory in the fact
They say marriages are made in heaven
and in that cas- 4 mere wealth-accumu
.ating machine like myself may conside
ii fortunate ii his gold Is employed to IL,
worse purpose than u set off gems O
| Heavens own selection"