The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1899-04-29

He made his choice.
II remember" Matte said, in dreamy
voice, as if she had forgotten her listener,
.'the day Ned was born. Poor Mary lay
so i'll we feared she must die, and while
Others were busy around her bed the wee
babe was brought to me. lie was like
you, Simon, with great dark eyes and
broad brow, and yet he had Mary mouth,
so sensitive and tender, quivering with
every emotion. | remember when he was
a week old. | had him in the nursery
when you came in, staggering like man
under heavy burden, till you fell on your
knees beside me, to sob
. God has taken Mary, but He has
left my boy Thank God for my boy !
A long, quivering sigh broke from the
invalid's lips,
II can see him as he was at three years
old. with his brown curls shining like satin,
falling over his little velvet coat, his soft,
round cheeks rosy with health, and his
eyes full of frank, bright intellect He
was not quite four when he had scarlet
fever. How many nights you walked him
up and down in your arms, when the fever
would not let him sleep; low many days
YOU sat beside him calming the delirious
fancies of his baby brain till the day that
life giving sleep came to restore him, and
again You thanked God for your boy 5
life
Matte, YOU torture me cannot
bear this the sick man murmured
hoarsely
Il was at my window one morning,
Matte said still in the same even mono
tone. when carriage dashed up the
road with pair of runaway horses. The
reins were in the road, and there was no
control over the terrified animals, who
dashed forward, the carriage swaying heav-
ily from side TO side, threatening every
moment to be dashed to pieces. Inside
man tried yainly to open the doors. The
driver lay upon the road beyond, thrown
from his seat, half intoxicated and badly
injured. While looked paralyzed with
horror. mere boy not eighteen, ran from
my door into the road threw himself be
fore the horses. battled with them as they
reared and plunged, threatening every
moment to dash him to pieces, and held
them until other aid came. Men ran to
help, and the STRIPPING opened the door OF
the carriage when the horses were quiet,
to release his father. Blood was stream
ing from great cash in his face, but he
never needed it when his father held him
in close embrace, thanking him for his
life Again, Simon, heard yoy thank
God.that in saving your life your boy had
not lost his own.
There was deep silence in the room as
Matte spoke the last words, Simon Hart
wright face was hidden, but his hands
,rembled, covering the asitated features.
Matte took from her pocket a letter and
read
my Dear Aunt Matte Lucy is about
again. and our boy is doing finely He IL a
thorough cartwright. with my dear father 5
ewes, aud We have had him chrisiened Slmon!
| wrote to my father, but again my letter has
come back to me unopened. How can ever
soften his heart toward me II he vail never
read nv letters? | weary for his forgiveness
am doing well here, and my salary VIII alio"
some hlile comforts for Lucy aud the boy
besides mere necessities; but ! long 10 hear
nv father say, Ned, forgive you.
IF YOU knew Lucy in her life here, II you
could see how patiently she bears every pri'a
lion, how loving she Is when We are stlll So
poor. how careful she IS never to reproach me
for what she has suffered. YOU would not won
der that | cannot say: Father, | am sorry |
married herr | am not; never can be sorry
Tor that, vet DO sorrow over my father $
anger.
"will YOU not see aim for me, plead for
m,g Tell him | care nothing for his wealth
We can live happily in our humble ashton,
hut | long unutterably to hear his voice IN
forgiveness. to clasp his hand, to know be
loves me again Plead for me, Aunt Matte.
He must be lonely, aud my heart aches tor
his loneliness.
Lucy sends love aud this tiny lock OF
yoaug Simon hair. Lovingly, NED
Simon
Matte ; voice was solemn in its earnest
tone of pleading.
Simon. YOU will not die without for
giving your boy. Mary's boy who saved
your life at the risk of his own, who loves
YOU 50 truly
Simon cartwright lifted his face from
the cushions where it had been hidden.
Irpon the wasted cheeks tears stood hike
great diamonds, and the voice was broken
and hoarse that said
Send for nay boy, Matte :
Gladly the message was written and sent
to the telegraph office
TO Nr. Edward cartwright, No. 2 =
street. New York. Your father wishes to see
you. Come at once. He is dangerously Ill.
MATTE CoLwELL.'
The evening shadows were creeping over
the great room where Simon cartwright
waited for the dread summons he knew
could not long be delayed Matte Colwell
had not left him. BY every sweet memory
cherished in her soul she had kept alive
the tender, forgiying spirit her words had
already Weakened in the father 5 heart.
The agitation of the morning had added
much to the invalid's sufferings, and as
evening came ON the gentle, loving watcher
feared the son would come too late for his
father 5 words Of reconciliation. He had
been DOING uneasily, when he suddenly
started awake.
The will Matte, we forgot the will.
1t is in drawer. Burn it Matte Tell Ned
there is legacy for you-ten thousand
dollars If the will stands my boy Is dis
inherited. Burn it, Matte !
With trembling hands Simon Hartwrlght
drew from the drawer the will that left his
son a beggar, and thrust it into Matte
Colwell' bands.
Burn it Let me see it burn = he
said, feverishly, and with eagerness, and
gladly Matte laid the paper upon the burn
my Goals of the CRATE. While they watched
it burn, there was a noise of rapid horses
feet. roll of wheels, hustle at the door
and quick feet upon the stairs.
Ned Ned 7
The voice of the sick man rang out clear
and shriil, and was answered BY loud cry.
Father, | am coming =
Then Matte stole out of the room as