The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-02-07
"Than what did Won

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utmost composure. Then. what did you
get married forP You knew well enough
your old father would never give in, and
you just thought you'd catch me in your
own trap; but guess you've had enough of
me by this time. haven't you, my darling
FLOP" he added, with a demoniacal laugh.
In pity, if you have any left, leave me.
cannot bear TO see you so near; do not
need you for reminder of my sin; too well
have presented to my mind the memory Of
that day, when, blinded by your deceit,
could not see the wisdom of my fathers
counsel, bat believed that you really loved
me. Oh! how could l have been so foolish,
SO blind? But at what cost have learned
the TRUTH, What bitter, bitter lesson it
has been"
You must have known that 1t was your
money | wanted. What would l want of
you and your love without money? You've
been nothing but a burden to me ever since
l got you, and not one cent did get from
that old miser of a father of yours to pay
me for all the trouble have had with
yOu?"
Paul Hayden" the woman cried, her
proud, unbroken spirit unable to longer
bear this TRADE. Paul Hayden, leave me.
l am dying; let my last moments be in
peace. God alone knows the misery have
suffered for five long years; misery you
brought me too. But now l am going, going
to him, to ask forgiveness for the great sin
you led me into, and then you can have
your peace, if your conscience Will permit
you 10 enjoy one moments peace and con-
tentment. Paul Hayden, you are muir
deFer, for | feel you have caused the deatn
of my father, if he is dead, and now you are
killing me. Go now, but warn you, harm
not cur little ones. particularly Flo, for
well know that you hate her rs you nate
me- for she is a second reminder oil your
crime in Turing me from my. home and
father, 10 make wreck OF my lie, 70 make
a wicked sinner of me. May G0u forgive
you'll cannot Will not"
The diving woman paused, exhausted, and
resting herself against the head of the bed,
she fixed her dark blue eyes on her hus-
bands face, with a look that seemed to
penetrate his very soul. Black-hearted as
he was, he quailed before that look, and
left the room without uttering one word.
After he left, the sufferer seemed to be at
ease; the wild look in her eyes faded away,
and they filed with repentant tears, as she
thought of her father. She wept silently,
and at the came time walled in feeble
voice: "Oh father, beloved father! If you
could but know how bitterly your Florence
regrets and has ever regretted her dlsobe
dience. Oh father, father. could l but go TO
you, TO throw myself before you, and beg
that forgiveness | fam would seek one
month after l erred; you cannot know how
! have suffered. pray that God may for
give me, and hope that my father has for
given his erriEg child On God, must SUI
fer more? has not my cross been heavy
enough? Have l not sufficiently atOned for
my sin in five long years of misery? Heav-
emily Father, grant me grace to pardon the
author Of that misery, for l must not die
while bear him such bitter hatred"
" Mamma, what are you CRYING for?"
asked little Paul, laying his soft hand on the
sufferers feVered brow.
The woman took little Paul by the hand
and calling Flo to her said; My darlings, l
am going away; you will have no one to
love you but your papa; always love and
obey him in what is right; always speak the
truth and be good children, and mamma
will always watch over and love her dar-
hngs."
where's 90 going. mammal" lisped little
Flo, but the mothers strength was gone. and
laying her thin white hands on the heads of
her children, she fell back on her pillow 10
await the coming of the Angel of Death.
Just then her husband returned hurriedly
into the room, holding n aper in his hand,
and going toward the bed cried aloud "Hal
ha! | See that your darling papa is dead; left
all his belongings to an old brother; thought
you were his only relative? The old miser
was obstinate to the last, wasn't he? What
a fool was to tie myself to you for moth
your loving, darling father?" as with a sneer
he held the paper before her face.
But the eyes saw not, for the weary heart
was at rest. On hearing of her father be-
ing unrepentant to the end, the truly re-
pentant daughter, With faint, pitful cry of
"Father-God, swOoned, and in that swOon
passed to her eternal home.
The history of Florence Harrington's life
after she left her father can easily be mag
ined. 1t was but a series of fortunes and
trials, which her proud spirit found all
the harder to bear from the fact that they
were entirely uneX uected; for the Door, de-
luded girl, being entirely enamOred of her
handsome lover, wa; foolish enough to be-
lteye him; and he, with an eye to the fathers
money, easily deceived her and led her to
the altar. When the false husband found
that the father was obdurate, his rage knew
no bounds, and, fniing no other means,
he vented all his rage on his unhappy wife,
never neglecting an opportunity of remind
ing her how he fooled her, for he soon dis
covered that the least mention of her father
or her wrong in leaving him stung her to
the quick. His two children, especially
Paul, whom he ldOlized, were all that kept
him near her. He had no money, save what
he won at the gaming table, and he found
it cheaper TO leave the children with her
than 10 pay for their board elsewhere. Lit
tie Flo lie cared but little for, she being the
image Of her mother and always reminded
him Of his crime and how he was worsted.
After her mothers death Flo was placed in
an orphan asylum, while her father, with
little Paul, went away. Little Flo lived
but two years, when she went to rejoin her
mother, whose vision never faded from her
memory, aud her love for whom never
died.
Now, to all, both young and old, who have
perused this tale, l would say that happi-
ness here and hereafter lies in obedience TO
parents.
Oakland, 1891 ANNIE LEONARD.