Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1891-06-27

Keep up-alas THAT same old grudge
A RAY OF SUNSET.
It was a day without soul. Not
once had the cheerful sun shone through
the clouds. There was neither warmth
nor light in the sky, rain fell, and the
earth, numbed by the cold, damp air,
was devoid of gladness. Nature was
repressed and unsympathetic.
Near the window of stately mansion
was an old man, whose life was typifed
by the dreary day. Seated in an in
valid's chair, his head propped by pill
lows, he YEARLY watched the rain de-
scend. He had hard, bony face, q
firm mouth, thin lips tightly drawn
over his teeth, and eyes to which the
softer feelings were evidently strangers.
His aspect, grim and repelling. was .
physical revelation of his character.
Muttered sternly, his thoughts ran
thus:
my decision is final. I will speak to
her once more. I will give her one
more chance. If she yields, and she
must yield, unless totally lacking in
common sense, will leave my property
to her; but if she shall persist in BRAY
ing my authority, I will disinherit her;
will not leave her even penny"
what did you say, grandpa? Did
you say you would not leave even q
penny to me?'
It was a remarkably sweet voice,
through which quivered a note of
pain.
The old man was little startled
when he learned that his soliloquy
had been overheard, but quickly re-
covering himself, he turned his head
fiercely.
A lovely girl stood beside him. Her
presence seemed to give light and
warmth to the dark room. She was to
this room what ray of light, if it could
have broken through the clouds, would
have been to the dismal day. Her face
was as mobile, as responsive to the in
fuence of the nobler emotions, as the
face of her grandfather was rigid and
cold. June and December had met. It
would seem as if the effect must be the
same as when an occasional warm
breeze from the chill of winter, but De-
cember had only harsh greetings for the
gentle summer guest
"You heard sright," cried the old
man, in tones that were energetic, in
spite of his extreme feebleness. "That
is-that is my decision unless you will
agree not to marry Edward Browning.
1t rests with you whether you will live
in poverty or be the most wealthy
heiress in the State. You are like your
father impractical and visionary. If
there were any of myself in you, you
would not hesitate for q moment as to
the course you ought to pursue"
Elijah Pendergrass closed his lips
grimly, and there was look in bis face
that showed that the consciousness of
his own superior wisdom gave him much
satisfaction.
Tears stood in the eyes of Laura, his
granddaughter. Her heart was so good
that she could even feel sympathy for
this selfish, cruel man, and the knowl-
edge that her devotion received no
proper recognition from him wounded
her tender soul deeply. She alone had
cherished the faith that somewhere in
the heart of Elijah Pendergrass there
still remained little human feeling
that might be cultivated. Now she al
most despaired of its existence, but she
resolved to make one more effort, as
much for the sake of her lover as for
herself.
"Are you certain, grandpa, that it
would be better for me were I more
like you?"
Mr.. Pendergrass was surprised by the
question. He had expected that Laura's
first remark would be to beseech him to
yield to her wishes.
MY great success in life sufficiently
answers you," he replied, with the
egotism of one who thinks that what he
has said has left no opportunity for fur
Their argument
@You really think that you have sue.
ceeded?"
Laura's tones was slightly sarcastic.
Mr.. Pendergrass was still more sur
prised. He frowned.
@Of course I have succeeded Why
do you talk so childishly?"
II beg pardon if I have irritated you,
but feel that what am asking is i'm.
portant. And now if you will please
tell me, I would like to know what you
regard as success"
Mr.. Pendergrass was very much sur
prised, and at first it seemed as If he
might petulantly refuse to crafty his
Rrsnddaughter. But after thinking q
moment, he resolved to comply with hez
request.
Ito succeeds to make good living,
TO accumulate q handsome property.
and to allow no one to get the better Of
Won in any transaction. I have always
maintained tina. level-headed man
would not cheat himself"
DO you think you have never cheated
YOURSELF"
Hardly that. I never knew man
that did not make some mistakes; but
my errors have been few, I am thankful
TO say"
II do not share your confidence,
grandpa. I think you have cheated
YoursalfS