The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-01-10


you ask me to do so. 1 win never force
the facts upon him, but if questioned,
fear l must reply"
Matthew HOrnblower had laid silent, but
now he groaned, as If in bodily pain. Mr..
Shillito's voice grew gentler and he press
ed closer to the bed
During all these years, Matthew Horn
blower" he said, "since the day when you
acknowledged the crime of which you had
been guilty, l have never heard a word of
penitence or contrition from your lips.
We had hoped that you would ask to be
reinstalled as a church member, and on
sign of repentance we would have well
coined you again-ay, with joy, even
as the angels do rejoice over one sinner
that repenteth. Let me implore you to
speak, even now, and to ask for Gods for
giveness. You will surely not die in this
awful state of hardness and impenitence,
The screen was roughly cast aside.
James Hornblowers face appeared, Grim
son with wrath and pride.
why do you insult my father in this
way? He, the most upright and honor
able of men! What do you mean?"
Matthew lifted up his wrinkled hands.
For Gods sake, Shillito, do not tell my
boyn'
IL must know" said the younger man,
setting his lips. His clenched hands and
frowning brow might have struck terror
to the heart of a timid man, but the min
lister of Salem Chapel, Easterby, was not
timid in spite of his usual gentleness. He
faced James Hornblower undauntedy.
81 am grieved," he said, ito have been
the means of introducing discussion of
this kind I will refer you to Mr. Drifield,
one of our deacons. and treasurer of the
chapel funds. He can answer all ques-
tons better than 1 can"
81 will hear 1t from you, not from Drift
field" said Jim. what do you accuse
my father of having done?"
TT is no mere accusation said the min
ister in nettled tone He aVowed it
confessed it before the church Led away
by great temptation, in a time of pecuni-
airy difficulty he appropriated to his own
use sum of money for the chapel which
had been placed in his charge We should
never have believed it but for his own con-
fesSion-neVer.'
James Hornblower's features had chang
ed from crimson to a livid grey. His jaw
dropped, his eyes were fixed upon his
fathers quivering face, down which the
tears of age had begun to fall.
"A sum of money! How much? When?
Tell me the details, quick
at was fifteen years ago this month
just about the time when you left home
James. 1t was always thought probable
that you knew something of the matter
and would not wait to see your fathers
sad disgrace. 1t was a sum of fifty pounds
Done up in a leather bag ready to go to
the bank. l know. And Authorization
| said"
HE said he used it," said Mr.. Shillito,
sadly. He could not refund it when call
ed upon to do so; but am glad to say that
years afterwards he paid us the amount in
| full, with interest and compound interest.
| We did not prosecute, of course
| And you beiieved fIfT11? You turned
| him out of the church for this?'
Jim, my boy, be silent; it is all over
now
"He was deacon and superintendent and
head man at your chapel when 1 went
away. You turned him out?"
"It was impossible that he should con-
| tinue to hold those positions" said the
minister, rather firmly. Jim's loud voice
and unbashed front took him by surprise.
What a set of fools you must bel! ex-
claimed the man from the bush, mot to
know him better than that Why, father,
! what was the good of it? 1t wouldn't have
hurt me for all the world to know that l
| took it,"
you took it?" gasped the minister.
81 took it. thought it was my fathers
money and that he'd never miss it. l sent
it back to him afterwards, and had no idea
! but what 1t had been all right, though it
was a mean trick to walk off with the
| money without his consent. But thought
knew my father-and-and-I didn't, af-
ter ALI"
He dropped down into the nearest chair
and hid his face in his hands.A mighty sob
heaved his broad shoulders, and his
father lay and looked at him with a ming
ling of love, shame and pity, which was
heavenly in its perfect peace. The minis
ter stood up, and positively gasped for
breath.
~ couldn't ha' made 'em understand"
Il Al
| placid voice. They'd ha' called him a
thief and not seen that he was only bor-
rowing off his father-as he thought. They
would have prosecuted, maybe, and that
would have spoiled his career. You see.
Mr.. Shiliito, how well he's done for him
self. Was it for me to put hindrances in
his way"
But my poor friend" said Mr.. Shillito,
almost unable to speak, and taking the old
mans nerveless hand in his, you need not
| have sacrificed yourself"
There seemed no other way" said
Matthew. 1T was a question of him OF
me. Nobody else could ha' coined at the
! money And it was better to be me
! though 1t went against me, Mr.. Shilito, to
| tell the lett did, indeed. l never told
| lie before nor since, so far as can recol
| iect That was why l could never profes
| the penitence you sought to arouse in me
But now ! do sore repent the lie l told
! and l trust the Lord will pardon me for 1t
considerin' the circumstances of the case
1t seems to me He must ha' forgiven me
now that see my boy standing at my bed
side again"
81 don't care who knows the truth" said
! Jim, standing up and speaking firmly
MIR Shillito, you'll see to it, My fathers
| names got to be cleared at any cost. I'll
| 20 to prison II you like"
NO no, there will be no OCCASION" said
| the minister "Your father shall be hon
ored as he deserves. be sure of that. Horn
blower, my dear, dear old friend can you
! forgive me?'
Hornblower smiled and put out his hand
Lord, now lettest Thou Thy servant de-
part in peace" he murmured, using words
! that had often been In his heart during
/ the last few days and weeks.
you shan't departw roared Jim, almost
beside hims a with grief and something
not unlike a kind OF rage. you're going
TO live, and show everybody what a hero
! and saint you've been; you've got to live
for other peoples sake-for mine most Of
all How can bear my life, father, If you