Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1893-12-29

ows OF unsir predecessors to be pure |
mere victims of circumstance"
''1s not that as well as to believe no |
body pureT' cried Aunt Sue, kissing her |
nephew's lips.
''She woald eat alone if ate my New
Years dinner away from her." faltered
the boys words, with a fresh flow of
tears.
''She shall not" cried DR.. Stielson.
''She shall cat it here, and if it must 60
so far she shall be my child"
He took his son in his arms. He spread
his Office safe wide open and gave Arthur
the keys.
"Take all you want, my son, and dry
your tears. I have not any bond OF
mortgage worth one tear of pain you
she'd"
Father, she is ut the door waiting for
me. The love bear her is sincere pity.
nothing more. Motherless myself,
found a heart that was like mothers.
She asked me for my picture for New
Years day. could not refuse her. She
forbade me to tell You of it. I put it
upon her breast. With her now is the
gentleman whose house she cares for.
His character will justify us all"
Command them both to come in,
dear Arthur, and be welcome" spoke
DR.. Stielson.
Two persons soon came in. There was
o long, strange pause, which alarmed
the son.
Miss Sue was the first to speak, avert
ing her eyes from the strange, tall man
who had entered.
arthur" said Aunt Sue, 81 see your
portrait set in gold upon that lady's
breast. I kiss her as would kiss you,
my last and only precious thing, be-
cause, Arthur, she is your mother!'
cdr. Stielson," the strange man spoke,
arresting all by his but half welcome
presence, 'hear me once more. We be-
gan our careers together as medical stu
| dents in this city of Philadelphia. For
90 years we have never acknowledged
each other, though of equal medical
rank. loved your sister. You judged
me too hard by our boyish trespasses
and forced her to give me up. Yet, SUI
san Stielson, first and last of my true
loves, have for you lived a bachelor
| life"
"Have 1 lived false to you, DR.. Lay
TONI was Aunt Sues reply.
II hated DR.. Stielson, as all comrades
| hate discrimination made between their
families against two hearts. In turn
meanly revengeful-I played upon his
ever rigid nature and drove him from his
wife. Since then she has been the house
keeper of my bachelor home, and swear
to you true and faithful wife and
mother. The beauty she yet bears is the
fruitage Of that inward peace and sub
mission which keep old age cway."
| DR.. Stielson's eyes were full of tears
again.
Even at home your wife, Pierce Stiel-
son, saw not many, but saw at last her
son. made her promise me to hold the
secret back till time could somehow
work this scene"
Il felt that must have the picture Of
my child upon my breast, where ne had
SO oft lain," the wife, with sweet eApres-
sion, said. "Oh, Pierce, what instru-
ments, such as lie took to buy me this,
could give disease SO much relief? wait
for all things, even for your reason to
come back"
cit has come too late" Pierce Stielson
sighed. Gould it have ever come but
for the memory Of some carly sin that
pricked my memory when condemned
my son?'
There is nothing late about it, OBJ
served Aunt Sue. Let Arthur's mother
come here and take my place. will go
over to Dr.. Layton's and take her place.
I'm not as young looking as Mary, but !
can keep Tom Layton just as comforta-
ble."
why, there is magistrate next
door" exclaimed Arthur. He can marry
anybody. Father, can you forgive US
all:''
"Forgive:" said DR.. Steilson. ''Oh,
friends, / can forgive all except Linn who
has no errors to remember. Conscience
has made me a husband again and given
me son-and / hope brother-in-law."
"Call in the magistrate, Arty," cried
DR.. Layton. Il see only my Susan's
heart of faultless beauty"
''These things" said Aunt Sue, cal
ways happen about New Years time."-
! Cincinnati Epcr1ira-.