Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-11-01

a low tremulous tone. "He meant to
replace it. father, before the loss was
discovered, but he had no opportuni-
ties.n
"a thiefr' muttered the old man.
'.Yes, a THEIR
Father, what are we to do?n
f'You must tell me, Virginia.
can't think. | can't, somehow, collect
nv mind. What had we better do?
VIII they send my boy to jail?n
Virginia shuddered.
Let US go up together to the city,
father. Let Us see the president of the
bank, and ourselves tell him how we
have hoped and prayed for poor
Alfred. Let us beg mercy in the name
of Him who does not cast any of US
away for the first offense."
Child, child, | know the world bet
ter than you do. They won't listen to
you; they viii only laugh at you!''
But. father, what else can you do?n
pleaded Virginia passionateIy. 1--WE
cannot let poor Alfred sink down into
utter infamy.
81 am an old man. daughter-a very
old man. answered the farmer. Il
have no Judgment or decision left.
Let it be as you Will"
eve will promise to pay the money
as soon as we can if they will only be
merciful to poor Alfred" proceeded
Virginia, rising hurriedly, as if to
commence her preparations for the
journey which was to be so eventful to
both of them.
"Pay four hundred pounds! How are
we to do it?" querulously demanded her
father.
eve must earn-save-scra
Father, it must be done!'
Mr.. Fairford said no more. 1t might
be that he recognised in his daughter
the ruling spirit in that hour of peril
and trial. At all events he lacked
courage to contradict or oppose her.
Yes, the president was in at that
hour. Had they any particular bust
ness with him?"
The bank porter looked rather
doubtfully at the old man and the tall,
slender, pale woman, who was stand
ing humbly just within the glittering
plate-glass doors of the bank. People
came and went, the hum of business
echoed on every side, and the strange
pair presented marked contrast to
the rest Of the bank-customers.
EYES," said Virginia firmly, ''our
business is ofimportance-of the great
est Importance.
For she saw that her father looked
instinctively to her to be the spokes-
woman.
''Tn see if he can receive you," said
the man, still obviously.
Presently he returned.
'Mr. Melton is at leisure for few
moments. You're to walk in
And he ushered the old man and the
young woman into small elegantly
furnished private room, where bright
fire burned on the hearth, and two or
three cushioned chairs stood around.
The bank president was tall finely
made man of about thirty, with dark
eyes, hair as black as ravens wing,
and a colorless complexion. Virginia
had expected to see a portly grey
haired old gentleman well advanced in
the vale of years; she was rather sur
prised to realize that bank presidents
need not necessarily be grandfathers.
'What is your business with me?"
he asked coldly, while his keen eye
seemed to read them through and
through.
ITO ask for mercy, sir" she gasped.
''Mercy! 1t is hardly bankable
commodity. But 90 on"
He listened coIdIy and calmly while
Virginia told her simple tale and
pleaded for mercy in her erring
brothers behalf.
81 know he has done wrong, sir. Yet
he is young hardly twenty-five. If
you visit him with the extreme penalty
OF the law he is lost forever. The dis
grace would cling to him always; the
stigma would darken his whole future.
Oh, sir, listen to our prayers-be
mercifulr'
The bank president smiled q little
satiricaIly.
Il doubt if you know whom you are
talking to-
''You are the president of the bank,
sir"
eyes, but | am also another person
age whom you once knew well. Vir-
ginia Fail'ford, | did not think you
would so soon have forgotten the bare
footed boy who was turned from your
fathers door as Il thief-who was struck
as dog might have been. Need I
tell you that my name is Charles Mel
ton-that [ was once the drudge of
your fathers farm?"
Mr.. Hartford looked vaguely at the
speaker as if he hardly understood,
but Virginias cheek grew pale, and
her heart seemed to turn to ice within
her bosom.
Once more she seemed to hear the
words spoken in the twilight, '"Vir-
einia, shall live to be revenged some
day." She had never forgotten those
words, nor the tone IN which they
were spoken.
Her pleadings died away on her
parched tongue; a sort of stony de-
spair took possession of her whole be-
ing.
s.Virginia." the bank president said
softly, s'do not look so pale. For the
sake of old times all shall be forgiven
and forgotten. Alfred shall have
another chance. You will shake hands
with me, Mr.. Fairford?"
For Virginia could not speak.
Heaven bless you, STRIP stammered
the old man, land God forgive me!
Well pay you, sir, some time-we will
| indeed"
And they did; but the payment was
not in gold or silver. Mr.. Melton re-
quired higher currency; he wanted
Virginia herself.
Il have loved you ever since we
were children together, dearest" he
said.