Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-12-12
The FelOn'S Return.

"Will you ask whether Mr.. Graham
will see a stranger~
The clerk thus spoken to nodded
arose, and went into an inner office
The stranger remained, leaning agains
the walnut ratings of the desk, his
hand trifling with the little door tina
shut outsiders from the sanctum with
in. He was tall, fair man, of thirty
with close-cropped hair and beard
His shoulders were broad, his features
handsome, but there was an odd all
about him that had puzzled the clerk
and would have perplexed any one
1t was something that could not be de.
fined, but it pervaded the whole man
suppressed look, as of one forced in
some way to hide his feelings; a man
ner of standing and holding his hal
which had something apologize in it.
''Air. Graham will see you, sir,
said the clerk, returning and opening
the little rallied door. elm there-the
office TO the right"
The stranger passed into the room
indicated, and closed the door behind
him; then standing with his back
against it, he fumbled with his hat in
the same odd manner in which he had
handled it in the outer office, and
instead of speaking, looked at the
| gentleman behind the desk with eyes
that had measureless appeal in them.
The other did not rise from his
chair, nor hold out his hand, nor even
speak for some moments; each looked
at the other, that was all. But it was
the elder one, at the desk, who broke
the spell at last.
$50" he said;"it is you, james,"
ayes. it is L." said the other.
"Haven't you word for me,
William"
al have a good many words that you
might not like TO hear" said William
Graham. al really can't say I'm glad
TO see you, delighted, honored, and all
that, YOU know"
Il don't expect any one to be glad, !"
said the other. 81 know I've dis
graced the family, but I've been pun
ished for it. Ten years, William
think of hat!-ten years of prison
life, and prison fare, and prison
friendsl I'd have given my soul to
undo what | did, even before it was
found out; but never meant to keep
the money"
1--WE know the story" said the mer-
chant. "You were in position of
confidence; you betrayed it. It's the
old affair. I've had it happen in my
own office / can't feel any sentimental
pity for fellow like you. What brings
you here, Jamesp
Shifting his hat from hand to hand,
looking from under his eyebrows in an
abject fashion, pitiable to contemplate,
when one saw in what gentlemanly
mould he had been cast, James Graham
answered, II was twenty when | went
to prison. Pm thirty now. The out
side world has been blank to me for
all these years. / want work. l want
you to give it to me-any honest work,
William. I'm good book-keeper,
but I'll be porter, an errand man,
anything.
40. no; not anything here" said
the elder. "You've reckoned without
your host, James. You are no brother
of mine. cast you off when You be-
came felon. For the sake of the poor
woman who called you son. I'll give
you some money, enough to live on
for week or two. / will never give
you another penny-don't expect it.
| will have YOU turned out if you come
here again."
The prison faint was so strong upon
the other man that his pride was not
aroused yet; he fumbled with his hat,
ground himself against the door,
looked abjectly from under his eye
brows again, and asked, elbow is sis
ter Jessie?"
"Well," said the merchant.
"Can you tell me where she lives?"
asked his brother.
"No,v said the merchant. s'Jcssie |
is married, and has tried TO forget the
terrible grief you gave her. You are
the last person a respectable brother
in-law would care to see."
"I'll ask you one more question:"
said James, in faltering voice. sAda
Musgrove-what has become of her? |
Is she living? Is she married."
al have no information for you,"
said the merchant, harshly. "Here
are ten pounds. If You are careful you
will get employment before it is gone.
Remember, you'll not have another
penny from my hands. Take it and
70, and don't come back againl"
He flung the money down upon the
table. But there was a spark of man
hood in his brothers breast even vet;
he could not take a gift so proffered.
Suddenly the abject look upon his
face changed to one of wrath and hate.
Tall as he was, he seemed to grow a
head taller as he drew his shoulders
back; and, glaring at his brother,
brew the soyereigns that lay before
hin into his brothers face.
.sHang you, keep your money!" he
'aid. Il don't want anything from
7ou or any one; l came for help, it is