The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-05-14
HIS EXPIATION.
.:...BY KATE s. GATES....

for the first time accepted an invita-
tion to Mr.. Sherman's house. Roy
delight was unbounded.
"YOu take to 1t as naturally as
duck does TO water" he whispered
exultingly once during the evening
What on earth has possessed you tt
make a hermit of yourself all these
you have come out of your she'll we
will do our best to make up for lost
time"
And so they seemed likely to do
for Henderson became very popular al
once, but it was noticed by all that Roy
Sherman was the only one with whom
he was really intimate.
Roy, on coming OF age, had taken
his place in his fathers establishment,
though no ono appeared to think he
would ever amount to much there.
AS he particularly disliked being
tied down, his father employed him
chiefly to travel for the firm.
1T was during one of his absences,
as Henderson was in the Office talking
with MIR. Sherman, that stranger
entered. The instant Henderson saw
him his face became fairly livid, and
quickly turning, he stepped into the
adjoining room.
Mr.. Sherman could not but notice
it, and the stranger looked puzzled,
but, introducing himself. made known
his business, though it was evident
that, even while talking of other
things, he was trying to recall some
half-forgotten fact to minG.
May [ ask your clerks name ?"
he said as he rose to 60. "He seems
| Yn pnf | l, ,l>l
to place him."
Arthur Henderson, answered Mr..
Sherman.
" All do not recolect anyone by
that name; mistaken resemblance
probably. GoodmOrning ~
Mr.. Sherman felt decidedly per-
picked. He was convinced that it was
not mistaken resemblance; there had
been not doubt on Henderson's face.
He was thinking the matter over in
a troubled way when Henderson came
back.
81 should like private conversa-
Mr.. Sherman was struck with the
change in him. He seemed to have
grown twenty years older in that brief
half hour.
Did the-gentleman who was here
speak Of Inc ?' he queried anxiously.
'Only TO say that, at first, he
thought your face seemed familiar, but
he could not recall any one by your
name"
Henderson's face grew paler, if pos
slblc. He tried to speak, but the
words would not come for several mo-
mcnts.
81 profcr to tell you myself what he
knows OF me, though ! had hoped and
prayed that you need never know it,, !"
he said at length.
When | was young fellow, about
your sons age, | went to the city of d.,
and entered the employ Of this gentle
mans elder brother.
II was from the country. My nearest
living relative, maiden aunt, had
brought me up in the strictest way
possible. 1t was hardly moro than
natural that, with none to restrict me,
| should be disposed to tasto some
hitherto forbidden pleasures.
"I fell in with IL rather fast set, and
City life bewitched me. | went often
to the theatre, and l learned to play
cards. Unfortunately [ was quite
successful at first, and my companions
declared [ must have been born under
a lucky star.
II began to think that could make
my fortune at once, if only had a
little ready money. OF course my
salary was small, and I was using it
up about as fast as drew it, and then
$500 belonging to my employer fell
into my hands while he was away.
" 1T went through my mind, like a
flash, If only that was mine, l could
double it, treble it, perhaps, in one
night! Then camc the suggestion to
borrow it; what harm could there be
| would repay in tho morning, and no
one need ever know.
"If you have never been tempted
that way, you can know nothing about
it. ] borrowed it, and lost every. cent
l had that night.
81 cannot tell you how Mortified I
was. 1t seemed to me that | should
lose my reason at first, but, thank
God, [ had manliness enough to con,
fcss.
81 suppose that my employer was
kind. lie took no steps against me-
but he discharged me with no recon.
mcndation.
"Of course, could not get work in
D., SO | went elsewhere. Twice they
found and recognized me. | wanted
to be honest | was truly sorry for my
sin; but when | came to you | was
about discouraged. If you had turned
me away, | think should have giver
, up and gone to the dogs.
But you took me, and I vowed tt
servo you faithfully, and allow mysel
no pleasure of any sort until had pait
principal and interest of my indebted
, ness.
e II kept that VOW. When the las
cent was paid, | fancied that I was free
now to go in and out among my fellow
Q mon a. one Of them. But I was mis-
| &,,1, l,nf II oln
shadow me all my days. cannot ge
O out from under it, ! shall regret tt
d leave you, but now that you know al
J.. you probably will not care to have mt
l. stay"
O Henderson ended with dry sob
r more touching than flood of tears
There was silence for several moments