The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-23

by JEANNETTE N. WALwoRTA.

control The dying man laid his hand
on her bowed head. When he spoke, his
voice was calm and solemn, but verJ
weak.
True. child. death Is not the worst that
can hefal have confessed everything
TO my Maker. ] had meant 10 confess
to Thomas. but my strength ebbs fast.
doubt II ! shall be here when he comes
The temptation TO secure your future
against the possibility OF want was toe
mighty for me Olivia. My idolatrous love
for you turned my boasted strength into
weakness. Opportunity was my undo
ing"
IT Will make restitution, father. lie
shall have everything"
And blacken my name in the grave
Restitution lies In one direction only. At
least my falling senses can point out no
other course. You alone can right the
great wrong i have done Rufus son.
II. father?''
Don't speak Listen TO me. Would
You help me undo what l have done for
your sake?'
She shivered as II an asue had seized
her. but her gaze never left his face.
You know | would. father! oh. you
know there is nothing I would not do
for your dear sake!"
"A few weeks ago I could not have
HuiUDltu fyStH DtlOIt my own lnuOCtnt
child As l am dying now, my dear. but
when the shores OF eternity seem actually
In sight the mortal vision broadens and
we can slough all that is mortal OF
us with contemptuous pity for It's infirmi
ties Its temptations and its mistakes. /
have been an unfaithful guardian TO
Thomas Broxton. You can make the
losses have brought upon him as moth
ing weighed In the balances against his
happiness.
A perplexed look came into the wide
eyes fixed upon his face. 81 father7'
You. and you alone. can turn a curse
into benediction."
Again that pathetic 81. father? oh, tell
me howl
Marry Thomas Broxton. He loves
you. You know that he does"
But do not love him, father"
''Marry-Thomas-
Father have YOU forgotten Clarence.
forgotten that I betrothed myself to him
with your full consent? I belong TO Clar-
ence Westover. father. and love him"
grayish pallor was creeping over the
sick mans pinched features. She did
not know that II was death. She had
never before stood In the presence OF the
grim conduenor. Her fathers voice was
lifted to clear high note In a supreme
effort 10 impose his will upon her:
Marry Thomas Broxton! i command
itr'
cold current OF air swept across the
bed. Olivia rose quickly 20 close the
door by which II had entered. Another
hand drew IL softly shut from the other
side. She turned toward the bed to en-
ter her final protest against this mon
strous invasion OF her rights.
But. father would you want me to
live my life out a stupendous faisehood?"
The unseeing eyes stared straight be-
yond her: the tired lips h,ntered and
dropped: a heavy sigh, stillness-Horace
Matthews was done with beseeching
done with commanding.
In a piercing cry she called his name
aloud and again. II brought TO the
chamber OF death Reuben, DR.. Govan,
who had just arrived: Clarence West
over. who had been waiting and watch
ing I'm the distant drawing room, and
Thomas Broxton.
IL was toward the latter that Reuben
turned his eyes anxiously.
"Oh. Mr.. Thomas. II you'd only got here
a hour earlier! It's your fate TO be al
ways too late"
1T IL my fate. Reuben. as you saw. so
we won't quarrel with It" Broxton an
swered quietly and turned TO question
DR.. Govan.
ITO Be Continued)