Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1900-08-09
LII (xxS the Horrors
of War
y3~@kAf 900
IL SOSx SSS BY H. b. WEL-SH..


| the face Of strong man, and there
was little resemblance between father
and daughter; yet he had been hand
some. and in his youth he had been
popular man after the kind called
good fellows" And two women had
loved him much-his wife, who had
died many years ago, and his daugh-
ter. who had always had for him that
kind Of projecting love which strong
woman gives to a weak man, even
though she be his daughter.
She knelt beside him now, soothing
him with hands of tenderness and
womanly comfort; but the dying man
tossed restlessly from side to side.
Give me something to strengthen
me. Meg" ne said, calling her by the
old name no other had ever given her.
There is something on the table
there; 1t will give me strength for a
few minutes to tell you what have to
tell"
Margaret poured out little Of the
liquid and held it to his lips. A faint
glow came into the grey face and dim
ming eyes. and in few seconds he
began to speak. in low but distinct
tones.
Il have a confession to make. Mar
garet, before l die. | cannot go into
the other world. into the presence Of
Infinite Holiness. with so great a sin
unconfessed. II is a fearful thing to
die, Meg. One would willingly give
all one possesses. or ever did possess,
to undo all the past then; but we can
Motive cannot! Oh, my God, there
is no forgiveness of sins in that sense
none. none!"
A terrible sickening fear had slowly
risen in Margaret's heart as he spoke.
Was 1t true. then what had always
been said about her father? II so, 1t
seemed to Margaret at that moment as
IL she desired nothing else but to lie
down and die beside him; but the next
moment her womanly desire to help.
to comfort the poor repentant soul
came with full force upon her and she
laid her hand gently on his breast.
Dear, dear father, whatever you
have done. whatever sin you have
been guilty of. there is forgiveness.
The dull eyes looked at her with
pitiful expression Of appeal.
IF had made restitution l might
then hope for pardon; but have made
none. | have lived as IL l had never
done that fearful wrong. Margaret,
listen while tell it, for time is grow
ing short"
But why tell it. dear?" she pleaded
gently, close to his ear. do l not
know already what it was? You were
guilty two years ago. as people some
times said"
mo, no." he said. with a gasp.
you are INSTRUMENTATION. Meg.
1t was not that. was guiltless there;
knew nothing of the fraud"
Thank God!" cried Margaret quick
ly. But the weak. chill. tremulous
hand stopped her.
"Guiltless of that; but a greater sin
lies on my shoulders, Margaret Yes.
far greater, because the man | robbed
trusted me as his own brother-yes,
even to the end.
Listen, for | must speak quickly.
It is ten years since it all happened,
Margaret. | was then manager of the
branch OF the Western bank in Glas-
gov, as was later on. You were only
a school girl of IL at the time.
II had an old friend who had been
a schoolmate years ago. He had been
abroad. but had come home some
months before. and he called to see
me. He told me he had large amount
to invest-it is not necessary to say
how much.
"At that time. Margaret. I was in
desperate straits. l knew that II
shortly should lose my position, for
the bank depended very much on this
branch of it. and l had been sent to
work up connection.
my friend wished TO invest his
money In some mining shares, but
meantime, for security, placed it with
me. A terrible temptation seized me.
II / could only secure this money |
could keep the bank afioat.
"An opportunity came. The devil
always sets such opportunities for
men. One day my friends son, young
Cleland---"
A strange sound, half cry. half sob,
broke from Margarst's lips; but the
diving man did no. hear IL. He went
on, taking no notice of Margaret.
Young Cleland called at the bank.
He had check, payable to himself
from his father. He presented it. and
paid 1t.
When he was gone the devil en-
tered into me. By one stroke of the
pen l could transfer John Cleland's
fortune to myself-at least, sufficient
OF 1t to save my purpose. yielded
to the temptation; | fell.
when John Cleland called gave
him his sons check, with the altered
amount entered in 1t. He looked at
1t, then, without word, rushed from
the office like a mailman. Shortly
afterward i heard that he had died
Immediately on reaching home. The
doctors said 1t was from shock acting
on deceased heart: but who can
know! Who can tell?
And then again, after the first
shock. temptation came to me. No
one knew Of the transaction; he had
not seen his son after leaving me. The
fraud would never be discovered II
kept silence. for Cleland had told me
no one knew what amount he was
worth. not even his wife. Margaret,
robbed the dead. kept that money;