The Elbert County tribune., 1903-12-31

/ cried. AT last,"-and the men grasp
ed hands.
Then followed brief and impress
siye silence, during which each eager
ly scanned the features of the other.
and which Mr. Burritt was the first to
to break.
James" he said. and there were
traces OF considerable emotion In his
voice. you are much changed.
should hardly have known you
Changed" exclaimed the other
somewhat bitterly; "and in twenty
years, Is 1t to be wondered at?"
Then. with an alteration OF tone. But
should have know you anywhere,
Silas.'
Twenty years." repeated his friend.
An, we'll. so 1t Isl How quickly the
years have flown. 1t seems nothing
like that to me-
'.It is that all the same" said the
other. "It is twenty years to the very
day. This is the 2gth OF April. 1884.
It was the oath of April. 1864, when
you said goodbye to me on board the
vessel in which l was to sail to new
country"
ut is a long time to remain an
exile-a voluntary exile said Mr.. Bur
ritt; "-ou might have returned years
ago. had you chosen"
The other man shook his head
gloomily. II have kept my word
he said. You remember my last
speech to you? said, I am
going to begin new life-to make
my fortune. In twenty years. IL ! have
zone so, shall return. By that time
| may Aope that my crime will have
been forgotten. 1t may be that in
twenty years some of those who know
my wretched story will be dead-I may
even be dead myself; but. IL not,
shall return to the country I am now
about to leave behind; for surely in
twenty years the disgrace which now
furnishes my name will be blotted ont
and forgotten. Until then. farewell
And now" he continued. the term
of my selfimposed Punishment is at
an end. | have kept my word and |
have returned
MIR. Burritt laid his hand upon his
friends shoulder.
"You Judge yourself too harshly."
he said; "the word crime is too Sc
we're a one to apply to that youthful
indiscretion-sin, II you will-repented
of as soon as committed"
"Repentance," cried the other. i'm
patiently; what is the good of repent
ance? VIII 1t recover a lost reputa-
tion and wipe out stain upon the
past? The fortune | went to seek is
mine, but | would give 1t all for an
unblemished record, SO that l might
not be ashamed to look any man in the
face. All. Silas, it is terrible thing
to think that child of mine should
ever blush for her father!"
You are married, them" inquired
Mr.. Burritt, gladly seizing the oppor-
tunity thus offered of changing the
dismal subject. rs your wife with
you?"
Il am widower," was the reply.
My wife died twelve years ago, leav-
ing me with one child--a daughter"
Tell me all about your daughter
said Mr.. Burritt. "and how you came
to make up your mind to part with her
for so long? have daughter of my
OWH-dS Wtll as tut Sun mnO was DOTu
before you left England-and though
have been threatening to pack her of
to boarding school for the last four
or Ave years, | never could reconcile
myself to the idea of the separation.
And now she's too old-nineteen last
birthday" and her father shook his
head over his own weakness and smil
ed. an indulgent, parental smile.
That's the age of my Agnes within
year" said the other; strange that
we should have daughters so nearly
the same age!"
He looked at his companion strange
ly.
81 am in your hands, Silas." he said;
you can ruin me in my child's eyes,
as well as in the eyes of the world,
wherever you please"
kn