Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1900-07-12

81 He saw the young mans face pale,
even to the lips, as he looked upon it;
but there was no faltering in the voice,
no shrinking in the dark, clear eve.
''This means that the man of whom
have once or twice heard my father
speak is the rightful heir?'
'The rightful herr repeated DR..
Bond, gravely. Basil Give, the elder,
left no will, and his entire property de-
scended to the heir-at-law. This GER
tifcate was committed to your father
by his uncle on his death-bed, with the
charge that he should do justice to his
unknown son. Butt
The doctor paused. 1t was hard to
condemn the dead father to the living
son. 1t was hard to say to Herbert
Give that the strong, stern being who
had given him life had darkened that
life with the stain of dishonor.
II see, seew replied the young man,
in tone that grew hcarse, despite his
efforts to master it. II see now the
hold this woman had on my father.
My father! Oh, God, my poor, poor
father!"
No anger, no reproach, no condemna-
tion-only infinite pity, tenderness,
sorrow for the dead.
DR.. Bond felt like clasping the young
hero to his heart, and holding him
there like a son.
For moment there was silence.
then Herbert spoke again, clearly and
calmly:
''rhere is. of course, sir, but one
thing to be done, and that is Justice
complete and immediate JUSTICE
ut was your fathers dying word,'
said the doctor, softly-"justice!"
81 am glad of it, continued Herbert,
''though 1 would not have needed this
solemn mandate to shape my course.
l will see Lawyer Grey and relinquish
all my claiul to Give Towers at once,
in favor of the lawful heir. Do you
know aught Of this-this Basil Give?
He is a stranger to me-"
"Have you never seen him?" asked
the doctor, evasively.
"Never to my knowledge" answered
Herbert, simply. Il have heard my
father speak Of him as wild, reckless
man."
Gle felt himself to be wronged
man." said the doctor. II have met
him, and know Basil Give to have a
noble generous heart, that will respond
~
manifested. For this reason, and be-
cause l have your interest truly at
heart, I would act as a mediator be-
tween you. Let there be no formal i'll
terpositiOn of the iron hand of the
law. AS friends and kinsmen, let this
matter be amicably arranged between
you. 1t will be better for the living,
and'-the doctor laid his hand in I,
friendly manner on Herbert's shoulder,
while his voice softened into tender
ness-"and far better for the dead!'
Gas you please, Sir" answered Her
bert, simply. "I-I will shrink from no
pain or modification that awaits me;
but-but," the clear voice shook slight
ly, "my dead fathers memory is sa-
cred to me. IL would shield it if pos
sible at any cost-save that of justice.
I leave you to make what arrange
ments your generous and disinterested
friendship may suggest leave you to
make what terms you please with Ba-
sis Give. From this moment I relin-
quish all claim to Give Towers; and,
with my broken-hearted sister, will
seek another and humber home.
Thank heaven, have youth, health
energy, and; l trust, talents enough to
gain an honest livelihood, wherever my
fortune may be cast!'
"Nobly spoken, my friend-nobly
spoken! Let me help you," said the
doctor, clasping the young mans hand
with an emotion he could not repress.
~ am an old man, with none to care
for-with none to aid. If God had
blessed my barren life with son like
you. would feel that, come fortune OF
misfortune, riches or poverty, sickness
or health, life would not have been
lived in vain. Leave Give Towers if
you will, in my hands, land be sure
that your trust will not be abused
But do nothing in haste. Take your
tine. Youth is always headlong. AT
sixty-five, we learn the wisest and
hardest lesson is to wait"