The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-06-10

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the fatted calf. and made a feast in the house.
But this RETURN" he paused, as II unable
to go on. ~ r -- b..
Il do net understand. SIR faltered his
nephew. :s r.
He came back disguisedn' exclaimed Mr..
Ellery, sternly. He has deceived US. Trust
ing to this marvellous change in him. he took
by a trick that which l would gladly have
given him, and, secure from discovery, made
himself master of family affairs You can
forgive him. Dlck1e. I see. But IL am Of an
| older generation. Our precepts were rigid.
My father"-he pointed to the old snauggler
| above the mantel-"taught me to say, Better
dead with honor, than alive with deceit =
He turned to walk away, eying his nephew
under his brows. ,Dickie was thunderstruck.
Mr.. Ellery stopped abruptly, and continued
his speech. g.. 49, .-- ~, 81 D. ..
q forsave him his boyish faults He was
| headstrong and wild, but I.mourned him. be-
lieving that had he lived he would have out
grown his defects. But now, Dckie. he is a
man, and what DO find? You see for your
self. What could forgive in a boy is differ
ent in one OF his age .f' 1872 49,
''Uncle-" Diclde hesitated in defense.
why did he do it, demanded his uncle.
why, but to overreach me in some way?
And what hardness of heart to keep US
mourning for him. Oh" cried Mr. Ellery,
vehemenlly, might still MORN him. rather
than wake to this"
| Dickie stood speechless His first feeling
| on finding Frank had been blind, a sweet
enthusiasm, the instinct Of natural affection.
Bat his uncles words, backed by the weight
| of authority and respect, caused in him hor-
rible doubt. Had Frank been false and his
| action unfair? He was pulled both ways, but
strongest toward his uncle. Mr.. Ellery
counted wisely on the tie of Dlckie's hatitual
| -. o,1,, tfr,4 tic ma
| ment was testing the wisdom and skill OF his
policy. He watched the struggle, and threw
| in his next word at the right moment.
But l speak when l surprised and
hurt he said, becoming calm. He is your
brother; he Is my nephew. He is welcome to
the house. If only and he sighed-'~e
might take him to our hearts," -".
Dickie saw that his brother had done
wrong He overcome, and leaning
against the mantel gave way to tears, boys
bitter tears OF disappointment And when
| Frank from his interview with Alice, came
| at last to the old library where Mr.. EHery
sat sunk in the great chair. and Dickie sui
kily poked the dead fire, his reception was
ready.
| It was an interesting picture, could he have
regarded it dispassionately. The broad back
of his brother was eloquently turned, ana MS
savage thrusts at the charred sticks spoke
loud of irritation The uncle's visage was
composed into. resignation, he prepared to
fight for all he had. There were no opening
words Of welcome nor pretense OF cordially.
Frank halted at the door. Mr.. 'Elleryt{ re-
manned seated, and bore the gaze Of his
nephew with considerable success. When he
felt that his eyes must fall, he turned his
| look to Dickie with sigh, and spoke.
80 Frank you have been deceivine US.
| Frank understood, and saw that the light
was for the possession Of Dicktes mind.
Dickie was listening for the answer. -.
| Have you no welcome home for me, uncle
Or Dickie?" he asked. little sadly. 1888
Dickie stirred as II to turn. Mr.. Ellery
spoke quickly. Have you not forfeited
welcomed" .
Have I, uncle?''
when you returned last December, why
| did you not come to US = q.
| DO you not know, sir?' : -. =
| .Oh!" cried his uncle. II am panied to
| the heart by this underhand action Of yours.
That YOU could so deceive me and so spy
| upon me-
Spy upon you7"
| Mr. Ellery's sallow cheek grew paler still.
Il expect an apology, Frank. y -
Dickie's attitude. Il prefer to explain, sir, %
he answered. Ibid you not once, IN this
very room, swear to keep me from the rope
walks till Dickie came of age::'
II never meant it, answered his uncle
"Yo,1 swore upon the Bible. When l came
|
brink Of ruin and knew that l., and only /,
could save it. could l do otherwise than I
did?'' i 49, 49,.
Frank" said his uncle very gravely, "you
should have come to me. I would gladly have
given-you the management Of the walks :" -
One Of the phenomena of our mental nature
came suddenly to Mr.. Ellerys aid. Into
Franks mind stirred as it was by this dis
cussop came the word "brother,''. uttered
!, sweetly It passed quickly, but stung him
into sharp speech.
81 do not believe you!'' he answered.
"Frank!' cried Dickie, starting up.
Mr.. Elery also rose.
Let there be no quarrel" he said. There
can be- no further argument between US. You
have not trusted ne, Frank; but you are
welcome home I shall be patient with you,
and when you are ready to be friends with me
you shall find me waiting With dignity
inspired by his words, he left the room: He
! climbed the stairs to his own chamber and
sat there, thinking nervously. But his last
look at Dicke had given him courage.
Dickie had sat listening, pulled both ways
, Franks. voice had thrilled him, but the
habit Of respect and obedience was not at once
to be shaken off. Franks final, open dis
belief of Mr.. Ellerys word brought Dickie
to his feet indignant ~ !.
Yet as he faced his brother alone, the
strong and earnest face before him tempered
his feeling What will he say?' thought
, Frank, and waited Dickie struggled fol
words, and before he could find them his
protest faded into disappointed pleading.
"Would you not even apologize?" asked
Dickie. "Once more with US and already de-
Aant? 1t was reasonable for him to fee
hurt, and for me. You do not seem to have
considered US. Had you no hearth
..Dickie,' asked Frank, do you know tina
you decided me to keep unknown ~.
err" cried Diekie. ...-. =, =. -
.I found when came back, Dickie, m,
teachings forgotten. I left you opposed t.
| uncle; found you friends with him. T lief
] you a WING; I found you tory. Yes I hat
heart, and it was cruelty hurt. What place
: was there for me in your life? None, Dickie
e none" l-..-..- l-.- ,.. q. = ~
Dickie was too deeply impressed to speak
S Frank went on: r.. -
S There was a place, waiting for me else
: where, Dickie-a place that no one could fl
, but myself. I saw Humphreys and he ad
9 vised me, begged me, to do as did. But ha
q not found my brother SO conapletel