The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1898-01-14


shat Mr.. Armstrong has asked you 10
become his wife. This both amazes and
pains me. Amazed because you certain
liz must have conducted your courtship
with unbecOming secrecy, and panied
because IL forces me into disclosures
which will make this marriage an inn
possibility"
The shadow had fallen now. She felt
Il suffocating her, but she awaited the
rest in silence.
Had your hand been sought by one
whose name was Of less lustre. and
whose birth, station, and immense
wealth forced him 10 less necessarily
maintain it. might have Kept silent.
Now l cannot consistently do so, there
fore must tell you your father is not
dead. as you have supposed, but still
lives. fugitive from justice!
Lives. My father! Thank Cod"
Frum her white lips broke the eNclama-
lion Of gratitude, unheeding the barrier
which had forbidden ali these years his
acknowledging himself 10 his child.
Il will not here speak of the character
OF his ofIense. save that the clemeney OF
one man saved him from disgrace" he
continued. restlessly pacing the floor, as
though even his hard nature shrank
from his self-appointed task. His eyes
were CHANGING over at the white suffer
ing face Of the girl he was stabbing
with each word. 1T only remains for
me TO apprise Mr.. Armstrong of these
facts to induce him at once to renounee
your hand Of his own accord, or IN
mercy to your pride inform him you
have repented too hasty decision and
wish to be free Which course will you
I choose?'
"Sir, your blood is in my veins. The
question is therefore scarcely neces-
sary. shall never see Loring Arm
strong again. Word it as you will. only
IL It be true that my father lives. |
would share his exile, aye il needs be
his disgrace. Write him il is my wish,
and gain quickly his consent"
"No letter could reach him. As soon
as possible will let him know of your
desire"
Slowly Bell rose and left the room,
wondering II years had not elapsed
since hast she had entered it. 4 dull
wonder took possession OF her in the
weeks that followed as to why her lover
so calmly had accepted her sudden re-
lection of his suit. She did not know q
faint hope had tempered the first force
of the blow, the hope that he would
break down any barrier, leap any OBJ
stacle which might prevent his claim
ing her for his own. But since the few
brief hours they had spent together
when he had won her promise, he hat
vanished. Not even Mays wiles coulC
draw him 10 her side since he had dis
appeared from their midst So. sit
ting alone and weary, she was startled
one evening, US the first snow lay upoI
the ground, by the entrance of stran
ger Gray hairs mingled with tn,
brown, but as he stood silent one mo
ment before her a thrill Of expectation
gave her u prcmonition OF the future
and when he opened his arms with tn
talismanic words MY daughter" sh
J sprang to their embrace. But as he re
leased her, another stood waiting, a
! LOring Armstrong said:
Have won my reward, Bell?"
CHANGING for one moment into tn
: noble features Of the parent she had los
} 80 long. and failing to read one sig
4 which should proclaim him capable Q
E wrong. she could no longer hesitate, a
= with rapturous bliss she felt hersel
: once more EMBODIED in her lovers arm
J Nor did he let her go when her uncl
: wes summoned to their presence, 8
E changed. 50 white, so fear-stricken this
T she could but feel thrill of pity at he
: heart, pity which made her plead h
b cause when the sad truth was unfolde,
o the truth that TO save him her ow
r father had assumed his crime, h
: forgery of a note. True to a promis
made 10 his mother on her desth-bed I
protect younger brother, he had gor
l forth a wanderer, leaving home an
$ child-even his wealth-for the guilt
} one.
Loring Armstrong, insisting upon u
l. issue. had been reluctantly told, and
g IL was who determined to win the Al
he loved at any cost, had sought al
n found the father, who had sacrificed
\ much, and from whose lips, sealed
d long. he wrung at last the truth.
y "You have a daughter" confessed Il
d wretched man, when all had been tOl
i restored TO your arms Remember
J. did this for mine, and forgive me-"
y So II was the heiress after all LoriI
II Armstrong had won for his bride, al
when on the eve of Bells wedding dt
e May F!elding's body was discovere
i beautiful and white and cold in deaf
and her uncle left his homo a wretch
u wanderer, unwilling 10 accept the fr
y forgiveness offered him, her husbal
- wiped away her tears, and in his a.
J, her new-found fathers love she learn
" the lesson, that while sorrow lasts I
u the night Joy eometh In the morning
". Y. Ledger.