Mower County transcript., 1893-12-27
one. What else do live for?'' -: j.:
Brother, listen! That is his key2'
stNfv anni Cnma come tn Ynor div

| my son! COm0s come 10 meG loudly
cried DR.. Stielson.
The son appeared. His handsome face
expressed woe. He stood awhile silent,
looking to the floor. ..-....
~ have one regret, father finally
said Arthur. 'You will be unhappy.
Like all who are dishonest, suppose,
thought to return my stolen goods be-
fore they could be missed"
''It's all right, my boy. I so far for
give you that I will invite the young
woman you like to our New Years din
ner."
''Sir, love you dearly, and my aunt
also love. And yet there is a dearer
one. must eat my New Years dinner
there"
"Oh, infatuated son! I thought you
pure as crystal"
''The lady love, my father, loved me
first. She cannot live without me. Sir,
I am without oHense, except that took
your tools and sold them. No one can
know this lady speak Of and not be
pure"
He now raised his eyes and looked at
his father. He dropped tears of real
emotion.
"Pierce, you have suspected him where
he is blameless," Miss Sue said, trem-
bling.
"0h, they all think that. Our med
ica! students think ali these harry. wild
ows OF their predecessors to be pure
mere victims Of circumstance.
''Is not that as well as to believe no.
body pure?" cried Aunt Sue, kissing her
nephew's lips.
"She would 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 eat it here, and if it must go
30 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.
stake all you want, my son, and dry
your tears. I have not any bond or
mortgage worth one tear Of pain you
shed.'
"Father, she is at the door waiting for
me. The love I bear her is sincere pity.
nothing more. Motherless myself,
found 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
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, Il 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
20 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, Su-
san Stielson, first and last of my true
loves, I have for you lived bachelor
Gfe."
''Have I lived false to you, Dr.. Lay
ton?' was Aunt Sues reply.
Il 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 away"
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
| OCClCU C114 C-AlV CoOiA OOI1ClON
work this scene"
Il felt that must have the picture Of
my child upon my breast, where he had
so oft lain,'' the wife, with sweet express
sion, said. "Oh, Pierce, what instzu-
ments, such as he took to buy me this,
could give disease SO much relief? I wait
for all things, even for your reason to
come back
e'It has come too 1ate," Pierce Stielson
sighed. ''Could it have ever come but
for the memory Of some early sin that
pricked my memory when I condemned
my. .son?"
"There is nothing late about it" OBJ
served Aunt Sue. "Let Arthurs mother
come here and take my place. will go
over to Dr.. Layton's and take her place.
Pm not as young looking as Mary, but I
can keep Tom Layton just as comforta-
ble."
"Why, there is a magistrate next
door," exclaimed Arthur. ''He CAN marry
anybody. Father, can you forgive us
all?'