The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-01-22
THE SQUIRE'S CALL.

1hE OVOlhU ~ OhAD'
''Neverr' said the old squire resolutely.
And when old Squire Melworth said
never he meant it, His pretty grand
daughter, Nanny Melworth, kneeling be-
eide him on the floor, with her fair, curly
head resting ON his knee, was like him In
her rosy bloom and clear blue eye. Frank
Melworth, the only grandson, who leaned
carelessly against the chimney piece, and
his young wife, sitting in the shadow,
completed the family circle.
Nanny" said the old squire grayely
"my daughter Mildred was Just your age
when sho stole from my house, under GOV.
sr of the night. and made runaway
match with Charles Leland. When heard
Of her disobedience, / said would never
forgive her. and I never have.
But grandpa coaxed Nanny, lyon
will receive her orphan daughter to youi
homes''
Never reiterated the squire.
"Hushn' said Nanny, holding up he1
finger do you hear the snow beat
against the window? Think, dearest, she
may perchance be exposed to the terrors OF
the storm in some faroff place Oh, say
that you win forgive Aunt Mildred; that
you will receive her childp'
Nanny" said the old man sternly,
''let this subject be forgotten one be-
tween VS. from this time forever! l have
said my nay, and the question is settlcd!"
There was silence for few minutes,
while the wind shrieked madly round the
gables of the old house.
Come here, little granddaughter, &"
said the squire at length to the fair wife
of Frank Melworth. Talk to me, look at
me! j love to hear the soft tones of your
voice. What, tearsl Do you imagine the
old man is cross? Never to you, my little
Cora
And so you are satisfied with my taste
in the selection of wife?" said the young
man, laughing, yet embarrassed
Don't know how on earth 1 should
manage to exist without my little Cora,
said the squire, caressing Mrs. Melworth's
lefty curls.
Cora's head dropped upon the old mans
breast, and she sobbed violently.
'What's the matter, darling:" inquired
tne squire in rueful CONSERVATION. what
have / said to hurt your
''Nothing, nothing" sobbed Cora.
"Only that love you so very, very dearly"
ga queer thing to cry about" said the
squire, brushing suspicious dew away
from his eyelashes.
The wind had howled itself into SUM-
Der, the moon had broken through the
stormy riffs of cloud and rode, like silver
charioted conqueror, through the blue mid
night sky, and still the old squire sat
watching the smoldering fire and thinking
vaguely of the faroff past.
''Why does not Joseph come with my
night draft?" thought the old man, NOV
ing uneasily in his chair. surely he is
late tonight
Slowly the great clock in the hall began
10 strike one, two, and so on through the
midnight tocsin. And at the same mo-
Inent old Joseph rushed into the room, his
face pale with terror.
"Oh, master, master, that should have
lived 10 see a ghostn'
IA ghostl What do you meant"
Master said the old man solemnly,
"as I stand here, 1 saw Miss Mildred in the
hall just now, all dressed in gray, just as
SIZE used to look!''
''Pshawr' said Squire Melworth, turn
,ng pale.
The door opened, and Mrs. Melworth
entered, clad in dressing robe of soft gray
cashmere her jetty curls floating down
over her shoulders.
There, don't you see3" gasped Joseph,
retreating behind his master
'tPsbaw. you doting old foolr' exclaimed
Squire Melworth, lit is only Cora What
is it, my dear!''
Il wanted to say good night, " faltered
Cora, sinking on her knees beside him.
He folded her tenderiy in his arms.
There, now, good night, my little one,
and heaven hold you in its carc!"
AT the same instant some sudden move
Inent of his daughter-in- law as she left
the room made him start up in his chair
with a cold dew d:stilling on his brow.
Give me the hot port wine, Joe!" he
said nervously. Quick! That's right,
and now I'll go to bed
KNOCK, knock, knock!
1t sounded like the muffied beat of a fu
neral drum, that hurried tap at Frank Mel
worth's door in the gray, chill dawn Of
the winter day.
What is the matter?'' he exclaimed,
starting up.
Master is dyingl He's took awful sud
deni'' suffered the terrified voice Of old
Joseph.
Daylight and moonlight were struggling
wanIy together through the window OF
The great hall, for thither the old squire
had insisted on being carried to his old
familiar easy chair, and there his grand
children gathered around him.
The trumpet call has sounded, chill
dren," he murmured family. Its time
F. 70, 70 IN
dredp'
Grandpa" sobbed Nancy, throwing
her arms around his neck, you will for
give her nowp'
Il forgive her. said the old man sol
Pmnly. Il forgive her, as hope to be for
given myself. Cora-where is my little
Cora:"
She lad her soft cheek against his own.
Il am here dearest grandfather. -
i had strange, strange dream this
night he said. Il dreamed that Mil
dred s child was here among us. Oh, if it
were but so--if she could but receive my
love and my blessing-I could pass away
in peacei l have been wrong all these
years. see il now. and l would make
what feeble atoneInent lies in my power.
Mildred is gone where my repentance can
not alter her lot-but Mildred's childF'
"Grandfather, exclaimed Cora, "she
Il here. am your Mildred S child-your
grandson wife Oh, pardon our we'll
meant deception, but you loved me as lit
tie Cora, and l feared to risk your precious
affection by confessing that l was Nil
dred's daughter"
The light of deep peace had come down
I'll the old mans face.
1t is well, dear ones. F" he said, land