Sullivan republican. [volume] (Laporte, Pa.) 1883-1896, 1896-01-10
LAPoRTE, PA FRIDAY, JANUARY 10. 1896.

M8dge since her new birth, and mad
done their innocent father to death,
and I had hated them for it, though
said nothing.
But at last, one bright morning,
walking up the road to look at the
desolate dwelling where had come to
love Gideon Lees children, saw
change in it. The windows we're
open; man was at work in the gar.
den. Three figures in travelling cos.
tune had just entered the broad
porch, and a carriage stood at the
gate.
I knew Gideon's tall figure at
glance; but who was this---superb,
glowing, beautiful, with look of tri-
umph on her face---who came toward
me? And who was that old man, with
the strange, sarcastic smile, that l
fancied had seen before?
As advanced, I knew that it was
Madge---Madge, grown to be mag
ni6eant woman---Madge, who kissed
me MS of yore, and who left me in
moment alone with Gideon, and drew
the stranger away with her.
And Gideon held my hand, and I
could only say, est has been very
long," and try to hide my tears!
"It has been long for me, Agnes! !"
he said. And then there was pause.
He broke it by saying:
''You are Miss Agnes Grey, and the
world honors you. I am the son of
the man who was hung. Even now,
loving you as do---as ] have all this
weary while---that stands between us,
a barrier you could not cross. Is it
not SO? Were all else lam not. and
so worthy of you, ! should still be
Gideon Lee, and an outcast branded
with Gains brand, and you could
neither love nor wed mel"
Gould say, II love you?' 1t was
not in maidenhood to do that. 1t
was impossible. I trembled; I .falt-
cred. 'It is an unjust brand! My
eyes never see it -
He showered kisses on my hands,
but he spoke again. ''Do you dare
to do it, Agnes.--to love an outcast,
to bring upon yourself contempt and
hate; to relinquish wealth for the
humble life of a simple farmer? Is
your love strong enough for this?
Will you never repent?"
"Neyer!" 1 said.
"When your gold is gone, your
land another's, your friends turned
to enemies and your name---your
very name, Agnes, that of the man
who was hung?" he asked slowly.
think! can you bear that igno-
miny?"
And I took my hands from his and
laid them on his shoulders and said
But no matter what I said. I have
forgotten the words that told him that
I loved him too well to doubt my
courage to bear anything for his
sake.
But suddenly, as he knelt there,
looking up into my eyes, saw look
in his face that I could not under
stand-a look that made ne cry out;
and saw the others draw near, and I
saw Madge clasp her brothers hand,
and the old man held out both of his
to me.
"We have been parted five years."
said Gideon. ''In that time I have
been searching for something that I
believed must be hidden in the wide
world. have found it"
"What is it, I cried.
"Couli any earthly thing but one
embolden me to speak as I have spoken
to you?" said Gideon. '.Do you
think that would ever have offered
any woman a name that would have
made her an ontcast? That which 1
sought, that which found, was
living proof OF my fathers innocence.
Look do you not know this man?'
Aud I turned my eyes upon the old
man, who had taken my hand in his,
and I knew that looked upon my
Uncle Matthew.
The whole town knowns the story
now, He has told them how, yielding
to his wandering impulses. he left. as
! he had done once before, the home
and friends of his early manhood, an.
far from all news of Christian lands.
dwelt in the Arabs tent upon the
desert, and wandered with him over
the burning sands, loving the life too
we'll to leave it, and never hearing OF
Gideon Lees unjust condemnation, or
of his terrible fate, until his son stood
before him.
They speak OF Gideon Lees children
now as of those of martyr, and the
ban is lifted from the name that /
have taken for my own.