The Princeton union., 1891-03-19
ate emphasis on the obnoxious word


Mr.. Lyle stared incredulously few
momepts still, before he could realize
the stupendousness of the fact. He
was terrible angry then. The very fact
that ne had been so ready to vouch
for young Thorley, made his unfaith-
tulness doubly culpable. He remem-
bered suddenly the gay life the young
man had been leading of late, vague
rumors OF which had reached his ears,
and said sternly, as soon as he could
master his voice enough, "If you
come here, thinking to move me to
thoughts Of clemency, you will find
yourself mistaken"
mot for myself, Mr.. Lyle" he said,
at last speaking with difficulty; "sbut
for my mothers sake, I do ask your
clemency; not to retain me in your
employment, but to give me a. chance
to begin again somewhere else."
"And serve some one else as you
have me?' the merchant exclaimed,
with ironical anger; s|it is rather late
to think of your mother, young
II know it, sir. If I had Suffered
no other love to enter my heart but
love for her, should not stand here
the guilty wretch am tonight, Yet
for her sake, spare me. am her ouly
son-her only support. Ifyou expose
me, you strike her to the heart.''
Mr. Lyle made an impatient move
ment. III tell you, you should have
thought of this before. 1t is too late
now; you have had your chance and
abused it wickedly. You must take
the consequences"
| Thorley was trembling, and hecould
hardly stand.
"Mr. Lyle,' he said, huskily, "do
you know how old I am? I am
nineteen, sir, and I never touched a.
farthing that was not my own BEFORE"
ut is time to end this," Mr.. Lyle
said, rising and approaching the bell.
"Walt one moment, SIR" Frank
Thorley said, passing between him
and the bell-pull; and his desperate,
anguished look stayed Mr. Lyle an in
slant; "shall tell you who tempted
me to do this-whose beautiful face
came between me and right, and lured
me on to my ruin? AS you hope for
mercy, hereafter, sir, hear me! Hear
how I came to fall, and then refuse to
be merciful, if you CAM
II am listening," said the emerchant.
II never saw London till two years
ago, and you yourself have commend
ed me for withstanding it's tempta-
tlons. You know, sir, that I neither
drink nor gamble. The smallness of
the amount have taken must prove
that your money was not spent in
that way. You have been pleased to
be very kind to me, sir. DO you re-
member urging upon me the accept
ance OF all invitation to a party given
by your daughter? was reluctant,
but / went, and from that hour my
tate was sealed. The most fascinat-
ing, as well as the most heart]ess of
coquettes, did not scorn to set her
snares for me, to dazzle me with her
loneliness and lure me with her smiles.
There is no intoxication like the first
love OF youth, sir; don't you know
that? There is no frenzy like that in
splred by woman who makes you
love her. I lived in a delirium; Twas
mad on account of this woman whom
[ loved, and who seemed to love me,
and I incurred a debt for her-a debt
which, in a wild moment, moment
when I had just been scornfully cast
off by her-I paid with your money"
"What was your debit" Mr.. Lyle
asked, briefly.
"It was for ring"
IA ring with a diamond set in a
cluster Of rubies?" the merchant ask
ed, with flash Of remembrance.
Eyes, sir, 'Thorley said, reluctantly
The merchant sat down, and motion
ing Thorley to a seat, remained some
moments thoughtful and with his face
averted. Then touching the bell, he
waited, while Frank Thorley covered
his face with his hands.
E"Tell Miss Roxie I wish to see her
here,' he said to the servant who
answered his summons.
Roxle was just going out; and she
came dressed as she was for the party
f1eecy white floating about her like
cloud wreaths, her lips red, her cheeks
aglow, and her eyes sparkling.
She reddened somewhat at the sight
of Frank Thorley's CHASTITY face
"Did you send for me, papa?" she
asked of her father, who sat with his
face in shadow.
For reply, he reached and took he1
ungloved hand IN his. It was a dainty
hand slender, small, and white, and
glittered with rings. He put his finger
upon one, a small diamond surround
ed by rubies, and lifted his glance to
hers.
Roxie shrank a little, and looked as
though she weregoing to cry
Turning toward Frank Thorley, Mr.
Lyle said. "Upon one condition ]
will forgive you. Repeat what you
have just said to me, in the presence
of this misguided girl"
Poor Frank Thorley! Perhaps he
thought even exposure would be pre-.
ferable to such humiliation before he1
whom he loved. Perhaps a second
thought of his mother came and nerv-
ed him. He hesitated only q moment,
and told the story with a half desper,
ate, half sarcastic eloquence that
took the vivid color out of Roxies
brilliant face, and left it white and scar
ed.
"Won't you forgive me, Frank?'
she cried, and clung to her father with
q burst of sobs.