The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1896-08-06

believe not, Sir Loghlen," con
| tinued Sydney. THAT for myself |
plead-'tis for those so dear 10 me.
For months l have seen my hopes
feeble as they were, disappear one by
one. II appointment which mas just
been refused to me was my last, anu
il is in your hands. | humillate lnySeli
before you, because | have III my heart
the feeling of my innocence, ana ne
cause | would spare you the remorSe
of having ~unjustly stricken me-
You wish, then commenced ID"
barOnct.
And sydney, with dignity. re-
piled TO the half Spoken queS-
ton: AN honest man, falsely accused.
/ desire that / may not be treated
worse than the criminal who repcntS.
And. firmly and coolly, and seeming
~ impossible. Sir LOghlen said, "lou
say truly-there is Indulgence for thoS"
who repent, but, alas, compassion may
touch the heart. but cannot restore the
confidence which has been loSt-and
unlimited confidence is necessary Tor
the situation to which YOU aspire
Which confidence you have not:'
Which. without proofs OF your in
nOcence, | cannot nave. Believe me.
the Daronet added earnestly, Il would
joyfully welcome those proofs which
1 demand from you"
And | canno furnish them-it is I'M
possible" sydney cried despalrlngiy.
An irr~eprCachable life sutficeth not
the accents of truth are as nothing
and heaven will not perform Il miracle
TO rescue my name from infamy.
At this point Sydncy'S name WAS
tCnderly pronounced, and Il pair OF
loving arms was thrown around him,
and. standing near his grandmother,
pale and sad. was the idol of Sydney's
now Wretched heart-the good anu
lovely Frances O'Meala.
Mrs. Willoughby had been Informed
of her Youngest grandson's visit 10 the
harOnct. and. dreading what might
happen should father and son again
encounter had hurried 10 Frances
GNleara, who at once conducted Mrs.
E~illoughby to the apartment in which
they have now arrived.
And on beholding Mrs. WillouShhy
and Frances there Sydney exclaimed
defend me. both Of you. Defend me
against myself, Tell this barOnet,
grandmother. that my father was as
SiNtAl Il lilti=t vi llNiltl a. any ''tlbIitb
or lord in the land; and that if he were
here he would comprehend the cry OF
outraged innocence, and. his hand upon
my heart. his eyes looking into mine,
would say 10 me. Garry your head
erect, Your flasher believes yOu!'
And Mrs. WillOughby and the barO-
net glanced towards each ether. and
Sir Loghlen. for just n moment, had
faith i'll Sydney'S innocence, and
longed To clasp the unhappy young
man To 5 heart
And Frances sobbed forth, "NO, I'M
Gle, no-he is not guilty"
But he is nOt my father Sydney
cried. pointing ScOrnfully to the baro-
net. Il have before me an accuser,
and | cannot snatch from his heart his
cruel and unjust belief
And. madly eXasperated, he strobe
towards Sir Loghlen, cXClaiming. Why
are you my enemy? Why seek you to
drive me to despair and death?' And,
as the baronet. naturally turned away,
You see. mother" raved Sydney. The
recoils before me-is n cowardly
wretch"
With a loud shrek Mrs. Willoughby
placed her fingers IN Sydney's lips,
and, as distractpdly as he had spoken,
cried out, 'Oh. Sir Loghlen! why do
you not tell him that you are his
fathcr?"
Not only Sydney. but Frances. too.
was utterly stunned by tits announce
ment.
The baronet darkly frOwncd, and ut
tered an angry eXclamation: and Mrs.
Willoughby gaspcd forth, oh. barO-
net! may heaven pardon you your Sc
verify to the son of her you had so
wronged."
And then sank fainting into Sydney's
arms.