The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-31
ASHES ON THE HEARTH
BY EDGAR MELTON COOLEY.

E x % S E $ < % E $ s. & $ < < $ $ s s. E @ 1 But he did not care He contented him | self by parcelling out his gold among | charitable and educational institutions and smiled when the world called hin | a great and good man.
 Then came the word that Robc.t Boyd | was dead-had died in abject poverty | le1viny nothing but an honest name. q | tender recollection and much misery tc 1 his wife and infant daughter. Something of his old love had come to him then. but he lad stubbornly closed the door to has heart and went on deaf' | ing out his gold and receiving the plau- | dits of men.
 i years In which he knew that while he ! had basked In luxury and the smiles Of the world. Grace Boyd. his child, his | flesh and blood, had struggled and fought and labored to keep the throb of life in
 the veins of herself and child. |, But she had never complained. Never | the once had she played the part of the
 prodigal. It was his will against his
 will; his pride against his pride-a'battle ! The flames of the hearth died down | to embers, and the shadows drifting in
 through tho windows, filled every nook In silence he gazed upon tAe dying | embers, a great pain in his heart-a | yearning for something that had gone | Suddenly he started and leaning for | ward stared with wide-open eyes and | throbbing temples at the smoke wreathes coiling, twisting upward. Up from the hearth he seemed to see a face smiling the glow of the woods Tn October, and hair black as nisht-misty, silken, glori- ous hair
 Tn dumb agony he clasped his hands together until the nails pierced the flesh, | and cried out. But only the echoes ari- | swered him. Then the face in the fire | changed. The features grew sad and | thin; the hair fell about the shoulders | in careless abandon; around the sensitive mouth were marks of hunger and de- | spair, and in the eyes--oh. God! the censure, the. deep reproach that fingered With a groan he turned his head. but the eyes, the dark, sad, deep-set eyes. followed him. He arose and staggered across the room. Then paused, alright edly, and glanced pack. The quiet. re- morseless, yet uncomplaining eyes were
 watching him still-piercing him with their melancholy glimmer.
 drew his hand across his forehead and groaned. And still the eyes looked into his--those awful, accusing eyes. Like one who is fever stricken, he reeled to his hands. He bowed his head and from his lips there came name he had not
 "Gracew he cried. My daughter:
 He held out his hands to the face in the fire, but 1t vanished and left only ashes on the hearth,
 How like unto his life! Only ashes and ret enc gleam in all the darkness
 Suddenly a glininer of joy came into his face. He threw off his gown and put on his great coat and his hat. Then he grasped his cane in his shaking hand and shambled out into the street He hailed cab and was driven swiftly over asphalt and brick and cobblestones for many miles.
 At last he alighted in front of a rick ety building. A little ~irl in rags was sitting upon the steps. He stopped and looked keenly into her fact. then took her in his arms and pressed her to his heart.
 T know YOU. my child" he cried, joy fully. T kncw you by those eyes-those eyes! Where's mamma?'
 The child looked wond eringly into his face. then seemed to understand. She took him by the hand and led him up a flight of creaktng stairs and opened
 Mamma" she said. the doctors
 In far corner woman lay upon a bed A candle sputtered on a box near by. The womans face was turned to- wards him and fin the dim light he saw her dark hair falling about her shoulders in careless abandon. Her face was pale and thin. There were marks of hunger and despair around her mouth, and in
 
 "Oh God! he cried. throwing him self upon his knees beside the bed and taking her head in his arms.
 For moment she looked up into his face. Then she locked her arms around
 his neck.
 Father she sobbed. Dear, dear father!"
 The child stood in the middle of the room ard gazed in silent wonder. Then a step was heard upon the stairs and doctor entered.
 The millionaire arose and the physician bent over the woman in silence. Finally
 the other touched his shoulder.
 Bring her back to health" he said
 "and I will give you" He piled gold and silver and bank notes high upon the floor-'I will give you all this"
 The physicia-s turned and looked him squarely in the eyes,
 Sir he said, keep your money. Star vation has proceed .d you and has con quered. She is dead. but she died in peace, for see smile is upon her face" n bv H. & Garfield.