The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1893-04-05

activity all that was best in his neglected
nature; but at the same time IL accentu-
ated the exceeding bitterness he felt to-
ward the hard, unrelentine old aunt who
had kept BIER word and put out no hand to
save him in his last extremity. What
mere human nature and the ties OF natur-
nj affection should have led her to do che
had left undone, and it had now been
done for him out OF pity by comparative
stranger. She had no heart; she had
never loved him. and always been severe.
exGcting unsympathetic, almost cruel to
him. and he hated her now more than
ever. He gave no thought to his own IN
worthiness, or blamed himself for the
crime that had brought him into trouble,
but brooded angrily. bitterly, over his old
aupts stubborn, systematic coldness and
neglect; and his own mind fastened all
the blame upon her.
Whether his gratitude to Mr.. GrellIn
would of itself have been sufficient TO sus-
tain his resolution to reform is perhaps
doubtful. Fortunately il was not put to
the test. 1t WAS strong enough 10 sustain
him for three or four months, and then
he found more powerful incentive and
support.
For the first time in his life he found
himself really in love, and with one who
Ii is something in his favor to saw that he
felt this, and despaired 1t is something
even more in his favor that instead of
yielding TO despair he earnestly deter
mined to fling from him oil his old de-
graded life like WORKOUT garment and
work and strive with all his SOU to make
himself as worthy of her as such a man as
he might hope 10 become He had never
before been so humble or so earnest
He worked consoientiousy, Industrious
~. rising higher and higher in Mr. Gre-
Inns estimation and receiving substantial
proofs that his efforts were appreciated.
But he was most anxious that some one
else should appreciate them and when at
last, alter nearly two years OF toiiing and
waiting. he ventured to tell her of his
love. he found that he had won ali he had
hoped for, all he had worked for.
As soon a. he was sure of her love he
told her al the story of his wreiched lite
He told il with such an excess OF self-pity
that there were times when the tears
weiled up into his eyes and his voice failed
him. He found his gentle nearer full of
sympathy and compassion, and excuse for
| him. lie had been the sufferer. Ills very
crimes were only haf his own. lie had
been wronged and neg ected That harsh,
heartless selfish old Aunt Pettiier was to
bldine ior IL All CT ne must Try now 10
pity her and forgive her, though il was
not 90 be expected that he should ever
wish 10 see her again. Now, he had some
one who owed him, he had conquered his
own weaknesses and risen above them,
and would build n splendid future on his
ruined past. Al this they said to each
other over and over 80 MANY times until.
| 10 the innocent, trusting, loving heart and
| Imagination of his listener, George was
exalted into very hero.
But somehow he never offered 20 pay
back the value OF the forged check to his
employer. IL never seemed 10 occur to
| him that he ought 10 do 80. That un-
happy business presented itself TO his
mind, when he thought OF II at all, as
something for which he had been partly
To blame. Tor which he had borne ali the
| shame and suffering, while the one who
was really most at fault had borne no
shame or suffering at all.
He kept closely at work. lived econom-
| icaly. saved money, aad at length told
| Mr.. Grellin one day that he intended TO
marry in the following month, and asked
| for n fortnights leave OF absence. MIR
! Grellin, having no children Oi his own,
| had taken IA great liking for him when he
! found he had reformed in earnest and
was at once interested in the change no
was about making in his life
"Ilave you told your aunt" he asked.
| when they had talked 10 ali over together.
NO, sir, replied George.
"Don't you think YOU should do so?"
| mo. do not, sir" said George. "She
took no interest in my affairs when
wanted her to. Now do not want her TO
do So"
81 think you are too hard on her, Pas.
coe. You do not know all. | am sure
that she would DO glad TO make friends
| with YOU again"
81 have no wish 10 SEQ her, or to have
anything more TO do with her. | am sorry
her name has been mentioned"
~ am sorry TO hear YOU say that. Some
day you may be sorry you said it,. re-
marked Mr.. Grellir quietly Under the
circumstances, / think thns shall take it
upon myself 10 write TO her"
George made no reply, and nothing
further was said on the subject, either
then or alterward.
On the day before the wedding Mr..
Grellin took George into his room and
handed him check for ESQ as his wed.
ding present; then shook hands with him
warmly, wished him all happiness. and
hurried him away, seeming quite shame
laced and uneasy ut the thanks he received
for bis generosity.
"There, therew he cried. "Don't say
anything about it. It's-its AL right
When ycu come back l have an i'm por.
tant proposal to make. Good-by, good.
bv."
When George returned. a fortnight later
he took him again to his room, and. after
long preamble about age aud increasing
infirmities, offered him a partnership.
George was too astonished for a moment
TO realize his own good fortune. and Mr.
Grellin construed his silence into accept
ance OF the offer.
my solicitor will arrange al! f0rmalitiel
and prepare the deed" he said. ''All you
vii have to do is to invest q couple oil
thousand in tho business"
"A couple of thousand" interrupted
George. suddenly sghast.
Yes" laughed Mr.. Grelin. "But
won't half do it. I'll find tho money foI
you-a mere formality-leave that to me. .
He would accept no thanks; and grew
quite curt and irritable when George in.
sisted upon thanking him. So the whole
business Was tacitly arranged, and in 9
very few weeks George was duly installed
as Junior partner in the firm of Grellin &
Pascoe.
OF course the news travelled down into
the country, and one day George had q
letter from a near neighbor of his aunt's
man who m former DAYS had been a
1