Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1889-12-26

by Cleveland's recommendation, he
was employed as copying clerk. He
bent lower over his desk, which was
at the farther end of the room, and
turned his face away, and listened
eagerly as the familiar voice asked to
see the principal OF the firm. But he
was still more astonished by-and-by TO
be called into the inner room where
Austen was waiting for him. He had
said once that he would never stoop
to ask or receive a favor from his
brother; but now the cases wore re-
versed, and Austen had como to ask
favor from Antony-the elder brother
to seek help and advice from the prod
igal son; and Antony could afford to
be generous and accept the hand OF
reconciliation which Austen so eager
lypro ffered.
IL s, you are right, Tessa is with u.s."
he said in answer TO Austen's question.
"She came to me just after my moth
er's death, and she has been like an
angel in the house ever since. We
were at very low water just then: for
my wife was i'll and Obliged to give up
her engagements at the theatre; and,
as you may fancy'-and he smiled Bit
te-,ly-"my salary here is not very
magnificent one. don't know what
we should have done without Tessa;
and now 1 suppose you have come to
take her awayP'
'If she will let me-" Austen said
doubtfully.
His heart was beating painfully as
at last he stood before the door OF the
little house where Antony and his wife
had set up their household goods;
it beat still more violently as,the little
maid took him up the narrow staircase
and, opening a door, ushered him in
with the brief announcement, "a gen.
tleman, please, miss" He beard the
door close behind him-felt rather
than saw Tessa rise from her seat by
the window.
The room was very dingy, but neat
and clean enough. Two little chill
dren were playing on the rug before
the fire; a canary was singing loudly,
and its shrill voice blended with Tes-
sa's cry of surprise as she started to
her feet and looked at the newcomer.
The color surged into her face, her
lips trembled. She made one step
forward; then, with little proud
gesture, drew herself up to her full
hight, and stood looking at Austen
with grave questioning eyes.
Hurriedly he crossed the floor to her
side, and took the unwilling little
hands in his tight clasp.
"Tessa, will you forgive me? l
know what fool l have been" he
in low panied voice.
Tessa drew her hands gently away.
"Yes-I forgave long ago." she
answered coldly.
"And you will make your forgive
ness completep You will come back
to me again-let everything be as it
was before?" Austen pleaded.
Tessa shook her head, and the eyes
which looked up into Austen's face
were full Of a great sadness.
II think that could scarcely be, :"
she answered, speaking very slowly
and quietly. zone cannot so easily
take up the broken threads Of ones
| life and weave them into a perfect
whole again. was child then, and
l had child's perfect trust in your
love and justice; but l am woman
now, and know"
Austen's heart sank low. This cold
calmness was so different from Tessa's
old impetuosity; but still he perse-
vered.
IL was mad, Tessa!" he said hum
bly,. al loved you so dearly, and l
was mad with love and jealousy!
Can't you forgive me, sweet? Or are
you indeed changed so completely
The old Tessa would never have been
so unforgiving and hard! Can't you
forgiven"
Tessa gave quick passionate sob.
"Ah, that is the worst of it, Aus
tent she said sadly. IL am changed
terribly changed! think the old
Tessa whom you used to love died that
day when you told her to go. But
she can never come back again, my
dear. l forgive-oh, yes, with all
my heart forgive-but L cannot for
get-I can never be my old self
again!'
"You forgive, but you cannot for
getp That is a half-hearted sort of
forgiveness, sweet" Austen's hopes
rose at the sight of the fearful agitat-
ed face. Once more he took the
trembling hands within his own.
''Let me teach you to forget; no pupil
should ever have q more patient, more
Jealous master than 1 will be, Tessa,
il you will let me try"
81 think it would be better not to
try" she faltered. at might only be
failure again. And l am happy
here; they love me, and am of use to
them in many ways; and here no one
thinks it is wicked TO laugh and be
gay-to dance and sing; there are no
chilling looks, cold words! Oh, ]
think / had better stay! There are
the children tool could not bear TO
part from them now"
81 will not part you from them,
Tessa. Antony's place in the bank is
open to him-I have just told him so, "
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