Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-04-17

AoW dUSOlutely worthless, LQc SUN To-
tai was!
All the capacity for loving he had
been endowed with he had exercised.
for n child. He had loved Olivia to
the exclusion Of that broader, more
elevating love for his fellow man as
his neighbor. To make Olivia happy,,
to secure her against any mischance in
the future, had seemed the one thing
worth doing. That she might have,
others must give; that she might re-
joice, others must suffer. When he
was working his way with strenuous
stubbornness to this goal, he had not
questioned his own methods nor the
danger of working harm, and not good,
to the idol of his life.
With the presumption born of a phe-
nomenally good physical record he had
looked forward to seeing Olivia enjoy
Ing the fruits Of his wise Stewardship.
while he aided and encouraged Thom-
as Broxton in his ascent of the ladder
which it was well for every man to
climb in his youth.
He was not the first man who has
been surprised by death in the midst
of unfinished schemes, and presently
Thomas Broxton would be standing
where that terrible old woman, had
stood, defiant, accusing, merciless. He
opened his eyes from what Reuben had
thought was a tranquil slumber to say
hurriedly, Il think l should like to see
my daughter, Reuben, before Mr..
Broxton gets here"
And it was then that Reuben, going
In search of her, had found her in her
own room, sitting with her head bur-
led in her outstretched arms.
For the first time in her life Olivia
obeyed the summons to her fathers
presence with reluctance. DIR. Govan
had treasured her on the subject of pa
falysis.
Your father was violently agitated
by the visit of that poor old i%rrespon-
sible creature and temporarily lost his
powers of speech. All agitation must
positively be avoided, my dear, and
when you go into his presence you
must remember how much depends
upon your personal observance Of this
caution"
Then for the first time in her life
she must act a falsehood. She must
go into her fathers presence with a
heavy load on her young heart, long
Ing to ask him questions that must
no be asked, yearning to have him
exercise the demons of suspicion and
distrust awakened by that old wo-
mans cruel words. Perhaps he would
die and leave them uncontradicted.
Could bereavement hold q sharper
sting?
She got up heavily and, going into
her dressing room, bathed her eyes to
effnee the marks Of recent tears and
smoothed her hair into trimmer shape.
Then she walked r~esolutely into the
sick mans presence. He held out
both wasted hands and drew her
down upon the bed by him, murmur-
ing familiar terms Of endearment.
you are better, father, much bet
ter. DR.. Govan tells me so." she said,
returning his caresses gently.
The sick man sighed YEARLY.
"For a little while, for a very little
while, my darling. 1 have told Govan
to keep me here until Thomas gets
home"
Thomas? Why, papa, have you
sent for ThomasY"
She was trembling violently. A
deathly pallor spread over her sweet
young face like a gray veil. Had her
father any confession to make to
Thomas Broxton2 Why did he want
him to come?
The sick nan looked at her implor-
ingly.
II beg of you, my daughter, to sum
mon all your fortitude. Your agitation
reacts on me. You are losing control
of yourself. I am a very ill man.
Govan does not try to deceive me. Sew
eral days ago I made Reuben send a
+! telegram to Thomas Broxton. He may
be here at any moment"
Eyes, father" She spoke in a dull
monotone, but her eyes looked tender
est pity into his. =
81 want to beg his pardon"
"For what, father?" in the same sad
monotone.
"For my bad management Of his af-
fairs"
Olivia dropped on her knees by his
bedside. She clasped both her hands
about one Of his, as if imploring him
to vindicate his own good name before
he left her.
But you did the best you could, IA
Their. OF curse you did. Oh, I.know
you did! 1 know you did by Thomas
as his father would have done by me
if 1 had been left q helpless little or
phan like Tom"
A groan was his only answer
"There, dear. DR.. Goyan will scold
me sharply for agitating you in this
cruel way. Don't let us talk about II
at all, papa. We believe in each other.
There, now. Go to sleep in your
naughty Ollie's arms"
She laid her soft cheek against his
and crooped a soft lullaby. He stroked
her shining hair caressingly.
"Olivia, my darling. you heard that
old woman's terrible charges. She
hurled them at me over this precious