The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-11-27

Mrs. Conrad's face turned white Il,
: death.
Leave the room, Dale!'' she sale
sharply.
NO. Mrs. Conrad, I will not-yet, ,
spoke the housekeeper boldly. 81
have served you faithfully for many
! years, and kept your secret when it-al
most broke my heart to see your life
and the way you treated Miss Ayice
| | will keep the secret no longer.
will not let you turn her from the
| house that is, and has been for so long,
more hers than yours"
| Avice caught her breath sharply.
Mrs. Conrad's lip bled under hel
strong teeth.
Il was here when Jack Darrail
brought his little daughter to you" )"
went on Mrs. Dale, hurriedly. He
was dying then, and there was no one
to whose care. ne said he could leave
his child and her fortune but YOU;
and he left her to you because he loved
you all his life, although you had
married another, and SO had he. l
was in the room, as you know, Mrs.
Conrad when he opened a great, sill
ver-clasped box, and showed you jew
els that flashed until they made ones
eyes ache; then from under the jewels
he drew out a leather case, that was
filled with gold and notes and bonds. ="
"You are mad He had nothing,
| nothing. He left the girl to my chari-
ty," cried Mrs. Conrad.
But Avice, with a sudden red dash of
color in her face, knew that Mrs Dale
was telling the truth, and bade her
continue.
TO your charity!'' repeated the
housekeeper sneeringly. when have
you felt or shown charity for any crea-
ture on earth? You have cared for no
living being ever save your son, and
now you would part him from one he
loves. Well, you shall not do so! The
jewels in your jewel-case belong to
Miss Avice. With the money left to
you for her you paid off all the mort
cages which rested on your property
when Jack Darrell came here that win
ter day. With her money"
"You are raving!'' Mrs. Conrad
broke in, with ashen lips. Where is
your proof of all you say -
II am not without it, answered
Mrs. Dale quietly. Would it be hard
to prove that Mr.. Darreil--Lucky D;tr-
rel, as they called him = left California
with wealth i'll gold and gems? | know
two men who will swear he did Would
it be fard to prove that fifteen Years
ago your estate was mortga red to it's
full value, and that you. one month
after the death of Miss Avice's father
and your adoption of her, paid off those
claims with gold and notes and bonds?
MRS. Conrad, Providence was work
ing for you when your son loved Miss
Avice. Had you heen kind to the
young lady and received her as a
daughter my lips would never have
denounced you; but, not content to
rob her of her wealth, you were willing
to send her out, homeless, friendless,
broken-hearted, that your son might
forget her and win a wealthier bride.
Now that she is not beggar and
the recipient of your charity, and knows
that she is not, will you not let your
son wed her unhindered? l think-I
feel that she will not want him to
know-to loathe and scorn his moth
err"
Avice started as if from dream. Ii
it was true, all true, she loved him
we'll enough to spare-to shield him
How such knowledge would wound
his proud, princely heart the girl who
won it knew; and rather would she 90
to him as dowerless bride, with ten
der, empty hands, than cost him a
pang-than bring to his dear face the
first flush of shame.
.'No-oh, nor' she cried below her
breath If this is all true let none
ever know save ourselves. l do not
want the riches that may be mine. |
win be rich enough in Raymond's love.
Only-only, dear madam, let me keep
that, and you shall keep whatever Sc
cret may be yours"
Mrs Conrad looked at the slim,
young creature with eyes suddenly dim
with tears.
A moment before a chill like death
was at her heart.
Raymond, her idol, for whose sake
she had done it all, would loathe and
scorn her! Now, girls warm heart
throbbed between her life and the pun
ishment she merited. She was safe
Raymond would never know.
-t't 1t was for his sake she faltered.
Forgive me, if you can. | did it ali
for Raymond.
Mother" came in a glad ringing
voice from the open doorway. Moth
er! Avice! may come in? l did not
60 to Aistown. and l want-Avicer'
Mrs. Conrad held out her arms to
him. As he advanced and clasped her
to his breast most tenderly one could
but wonder that so fair-faced and ten
d er-eyed man could be the son o.
that proud, cold woman; but for the
moment all pride and coldness had left
face and voice, as she looked lovingly
into his eyes.
Take Avice my beloved son. she
said softly. ''She is worthy of even
you"
| Then, with a kiss on his cheek, she
left him, and he found that Ayice anC
he were alone. Mrs. Dale also having
disappeared.
'..Sweet one," he said, lifting hel
pale face to his. ''what do | see? Tear:
in those dear eyes? Avice. what is it. ;
i am so happy-so very happy!
she whispered, with a smile that flashed
like sunlight across her face.
And Raymond Conrad. living out hi.
honest, manly life, never was told q
story that would bow his forehead tc
the dust with shame-the story of hi:
others sin.-Saturt!ay Night.