Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-02-22

4 was employed as copying clerk. tie
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 were re-
versed, and Austen had come to ask q
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 frered.
.Aes, you are right, Tessa is with us,
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 fancyn-and he smiled bit
terly-''my salary here is not very
magnificent one. don't know what
we should have done without Tessa;
and now / suppose you have come to
take her away
.tIf she will let me- Austen said
doubtfully.
His heart was beating painfully as
~ - l. So - II. r ~
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 door, ushered him in
with the brief announcement, "a gem
tleman, please, miss He heard 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 We're playing on the rug before
the fire; 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 a little proud
gesture, drew herself up to her full
hight, and stood looking at Austen
with grave questioning eyes.
Hurriediy 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 a fool have been!n he
in low panied voice.
Tessa drew her hands gently away.
"Yes-I forgaye long ago" she
answered coldly.
.'And you will make your forgive
ness complete? 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.
i think that could scarcely be, .
Sle answered, speaking very slowly
and quietly. ''One cannot so easily
take up the broken threads Of ones
life and weave them into perfect
whole again. | was q child then, and
| had a childs 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.
81 was mad, Tessa!' he said hum
bly,. 81 loved you so dearly, and |
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. | forgive-oh, yes, with all
my heart forgive-but / cannot for
get can never be my old self
again!"
tYou forgive, but you cannot for
get? That is 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 a more patient, more
Jealous master than / will be, Tessa,
II you will let me try"
II think it would be better not TO |
try" she faltered. ut might only be |
a failure again. And | 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 wordsl Oh, / |
think / had better stay! There are
the children tool could not bear to /
part from them now"
II will not part you from them,
Tessa. Antony's place in the bank is
open to himI have just told him so,''
Austen answered earnestly.
GtIaua Won gaay, bfr,, gtf rranoa l. 4