The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-05-09


dark"
ooh. I can cross the creek all right on
that old horse lie knows every hole and
snac in that creek" said Robson hlc-
coughing. There was nothing to do after
that save departure so Robson rose reel
ING slightly and allowed the store-keeper
70 take him by the arm and help him
out 20 his horse.
"Harry has your father conner"
Not yet grandma.
"Vhat time is it, Harry rose and went
over 10 consult the little clock on the
mantle.
ats half-past one. you need not worry
grandma, try and 80 TO sleep. will sit
I'D and wait for father, II won't be long
now before he comes.
~ cannot steep until | know he Is safe
in his bed, | feel uneasy tonight. as II
something was going to happen, but God
knows best
"What makes you talk so grandma.
YOU are not worse. what would DO with
out you
"As God wills my boy. helpless as I am.
I could pray God TO spare ME for Johns
sake; have only struggled TO live these
many years In the hopes Of eing him a
better man. You are young and can get
along much better without me; am only
a burden on your young shoulders. You
have seen nothing but trouble and sor-
row. you have been dutiful son 10 your
father and your old grandmother. and
have not one thing TO reproach yourself
for; let me talk to you about your father.
Harry. lie was a noble boy when they
first laid him In my arms. my man-child.
my only son. He grew up very promis-
ing and at an early age went as clerk
In a wholesale house. Al the age OF thir-
ty was "A partner and was doing well. un-
til, until And the old lady rose up In
her bed and shook her fist. Harry saw
she was too excited TO go on talking. he
gently laid her back among the pillows
and poured out little wine and gave il
TO her. You must rest now grand ma.
and | will sit down by you until father
comes" In the tire place a few logs
smoldered. for the night was chilly. The
subdued glow from it filled the room and
caused fantastic looking shadows 10 hover
on wall and ceiling. Harry thought per-
sistently Of his father, and for the first
time. within his recollection. he was I'M
easy about him. He rose and went 10 tn
Fireplace and stirred the logs into a
bright blaze. He again consulted the lit
tie time-piece II was so late: what was
the matter. His grand mother had fallen
into a doze. lie opened the door noise
lessly and went out in the hall and turn
ed up the light the Hight that was al
ways put I'm the window for John. II
could be seen a long distance down the
road He stood at the window io0Rin.
out into the night. The heavy black
clouds had passed over. and the moon
had risen above the tree tops. He could
see far down the road that led to Hob
sons Creek. He could see the McTel-
lows place and he thought OF a beautiful
girl with golden curls and could hear
her say: 1T my father despises you l
love you and will always love YOU" Gwen
doline. Gwendoline some dey II will all
be right. The sound of q horse In fun
gallop coming up the road put an end 20
his dreaming. II could not be old Bob
with his father for the old horse always
brought his helpless master home slowly.
having learned TO accommodate his pace
TO the swaying condition OF his rider.
Harry hurried out 10 the gate and saw
that the horse was riderless and looked
as II he was a messenger OF some terri
bic news. lie came up TO Harry whinn ed
and pushed his nose against his shoulder
again and again. and then turned to go
down the ROAD IN the direction from
whence he came Harry caught him by
the name. wet with foam and river water.
and sprang into the saddle. Leaning down
he caught the hanging Birdie and the
horse went forward at a gallop. Poor
Harry dreaded the worst. Tire horse
galloped on and from his labored breath
ing you could tell he was well nigh spent.
Still onward. onward. he needed no urg-
ing. past the McFellows place and the
dogs on his way. the clatter Of his hoofs
could be heard for some distance on the
lonely road. At last they reached the
creek where the horse stopped. Harry
knew now that his father was dead
drowned In the haunted stream his
grandmother prayer was answered
God had taken her son before he sank
deeper. There was 70 need for haste now.
The worst was over. and for the rest he
must have help.
Chapter III.-Twelve years have elapsed
since the drowning Of John Robson in
"Hobson's Creek" Mr.. McFeliows had
Just returned to THE Elms' with his
daughter, after travelling several years
abroad. His wife had Teen dead six
years. Mr. McFellOws was now a wealthy
man. and had retired from business. as
his health was very feeble. Gwendoline
had grown TO be very handsome woman.
tall and slender with a cOuntenance Of
rare beauty. Her beautiful golden curls
were gracefully cooled on her shapely
head and looAed Ike a crown Of gold.
Her large dark blue eyes were radian.
and shone like stars. Mr.. McFellows wa
rapidly declining in health. the end seem
ed near. Gwendollne had just left his
bedside and was out on the verandah
She looked over 10 the site where once
stood the dilapidated little cottage o. the
Robsons. 1t was now a cultivated field.
and was owned By her father. Tears I'LL.
ed her eyes as she thought of the little
barefoot Toy her little playmate and
sweetheart Harry. Where had he wan
dered? What was his fortune? Would
she ever know? She was awakened fIom
her dream by the voice OF the doctor call
ing her TO her father. She went In and
took her accustomed seat by his bedside
Mr.. McFellows seemed 10 be very ner-
vous and excited. and asked to be alone
with his daughter AS soon as the door
closed on the doctor and nurse, he said:
81 must tell you something very impor-
tant and beg your forgiveness before
death. which | feel IS very near / see that
you are very unhappy and know well the
cause. | must explain in few words.
my breath IS short and / would not die
without your forgiveness"
Gwendoline took his hand In hers, and
all through the story he was telling she
never moved: she seemed as If turned to
stone
81 have done wrong TO John Robson
I was the man that wrecked John Fo1-
sons life. He married the woman I low
ed. she preferred him TO me. and I was