The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1902-08-07

The daughter of a thief, oh. why
had she met Jack? Why had she al
lowed herself TO care for him? Why
had she let herself feel glad when she
knew that he loved her? Why had she
greatly desired that he should tell her
that he had given his heart TO her an!
demanded her own in return?
How many sadly confused questions
did she put to herself as she sat there
in the miserable silence. her mother
and her father at a greater distance
from her than they had ever been be-
fore. while she vainly tried to accuse
her heart, and her daughterly affection
of transgressing, even though Jack
called through the silence that, but for
her fathers crime. she might have
claimed woman's perfect Happiness on
earth.
Her mother and her father apparent
ly failed to realize how much she was
going through. 1t was only her lack of
response to their love that touched
them. Her alteration of a man who
might have been her husband was
merely foOlishnesS of hers and not 10
be placed in the same category with
her duty as daughter-the daughter
of thief. That miserable word. that
disgraceful word. would come upper
most to her. But for Jack would this
have been so: The daughter of u
thief?
There came tap on the door, aud 1t
sounded on her ear like thunder.
Her mother went to the door and
opened it.
Marx" she said to her husband, 1T
is cook. She wishes 10 speak to me
about dinner. We are going to have all
the things you used to-all the things
you like. OF course the servants know
nothing, dear. You have been West,
you know. The servants have only
been with us since we moved here.
Would you like to come downstairs, or
will you stay here in the libraryY"
Il will stay here" he said, in his
hushed way, Here"
Very WELL" returned his wife 81
shan't be gone long. See, here is all
the old furniture, all your books. just
as you used to like them. and the pic
tures.'
She leaned over and kissed him be-
fore she went out and closed the door
behind her.
Annie was alone with her father. She
heard him moving carefully around.
taking up book, only to lay 1t down
again. Before the last picture he lin
gered, making no sound. but looking
at the face Of the old bank manager
who had fallen dead the day his trust
ed cashier and his only daughters hus-
band had gone to serve a sentence in
prison. Annie could not see him, but
she knew all that her father did. Her
back was toward him, as she leaned
over her sewing, and her heart beat
fast when he turned from the picture
at last and swiftly crossed the car
pet
When his hand was laid upon her
arm. she almost shrieked aloud.
-Annie"' said her fathers voice. 1t
was grim voice now. no Quaver of
doubt in 1t. and 1t forced her like a
she dared not disobey.
She rose from her seat and faced
him.
Despite the physical changes in him
she saw before her his old self-strong,
not unbrave. not disloyal, not a GRIM.
inal
You have given up your lover" he
went on rapidly. You have given
him UP because of me. Pay attention
to ME. l will tell you what l had
hoped never to tell living soul on
earth. And l must speak before your
mother comes back. for she must never
know. But you must know, and the
man who asked you to be his wife. and.
whom you refused on account of me.
l will go to him and l will tell him as
tell you, that l have wrecked no life.
that have not wrecked my daughters,
Do you hear me. have not
interfered with your right to be happy
with the man you love. / have been
adjudged criminal. l have served a,
criminals sentence. But l am an inno-,
cent man. and''-he turned and pointed
to the picture of his wife's father
that man knew it. l sacrificed not
your mother. not you. but my own
standing in society and the minds Of
men for the sake of my wife's father
and his invalid wife"
She gasped. She understood him, and
she trembled from head to foot.
Il would never have told you." he
went on, only that you gave up your
life's happiness because of my disgrace.
Your forfeited love for me would never
have brought this confession. for what
did was done TO save an old man and
an old woman. who had been as a
mother to me. If nature could not
that love is Of little account. Your
mothers fathers sin made me a pris-
Oner. 1t was he who took the money
and the blame. l have proofs of all
this. and l am glad I never destroyed
them, for l must show these proofs TO
the daughter whose lack of love makes
my word of no account"
Father"
There was a quality in her Cry that
told him more than many words. She
sprang to his arms. her heart held
closely to his. He was innocent; he
was innocent; and though her life's
greatest love might be over and done,
the man who asked her to marry him
had not loved the daughter of thief.
There was some one in the room,
though neither of them needed till the
girls name was spoken by the new
conner
Jack" she cried out, and clung the
closer to her father. Jack"
You did not hear me knock" said
he. Il came to tell you that refuse to
obey your note. You love me as l love
you. and you will be my wife. And.
coming in here. l have heard what your
father said to you. Your father-will
ha NOT let mo call him ,pinasv