River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1904-06-09

D,
that he should have dropped of just at
this junctpre!
Well! At least the dead claim no
share in any spoilsl Luck had stood by
him so far There was chance he
might still bluff his game through.
The money once safe in his hands-yes,
there were better places of residence,
even, than Kent county.
Bring the papers tomorrow, at this
hour, if it suits you" he heard Burdick
saying. Then he got up, and almost
without word took his departure.
Under the long line of naples in front
of 156 Collins street, two days later,
Burdick hitched his span of bays. En-
NETT Warren had come and gone, but
the interview had not progressed exact
Iy as the young worthy hoped. Bur-
dick smiled grimly as he thought of it,
and then froWned with pain. 1t was
Marcia's son; and his own task to tell
her the story.
He went up the tagged walk, looking
keenly about him Over the door of the
plain brick building was cut the le-
gend:
ST. MARGARET'S HOME.
The rich money lender drew down the
corners of his mouth. A retreat for old
ladies! On poplar tree in his fathers
pasture his own name and Marcia Bar
ber's were cut, and their birth dates. She
was his junior by three years; and he
was 81.
A faded little woman showed him to
the neat reception room. Yes, Mrs. War
rem was in. He walked back and forth
restlessly, while the gentle waitress took
his message. A few moments later,
when the door opened softly, his heart
beats were so thick he could not have
spoken to save his life. Thin and worn,
with frost touches on her brown hair,
she stood there; but it was his lost sweet
heart of 80 years ago that looked at him
out of her hazel eyes. AS she paused an
instant in puzzled unrecognition, Bur-
dick took long strides toward her.
''Marcia!" he cried, holding out both
hands. Great Heavens! If l had i'm
agined-why on earth didn't you come
to see me?"
She stepped back with a surprised ex-
clamation; then a girlish color suffused
her face. She put out her hands impul
sively, instantly withdrawing them
again. But it was too late. Burdick had
them both securely in his. He led her
to the sofa, and sat down beside her.
"Do you mean to tell me you live
here?" he asked, sternly.
Sensitive tears sprang to her eyes.
eyes, Willard 1t seemed-better."
she faltered Everything went to I'm
NETT; and | could not be a burden"
He restrained some forceful words.
''Your son came to me two days ago,
to obtain loan of $4,000 on the farm.
He is very unlike you, Marcia Do you
mean to tell me that your husband left
him absolutely everything?" He was
watching her narrowly, for a clew to
put his news with gentleness.
Everything" she answered, quietly.
Emmett is not my child, though, Will
lard; he is a relative of Johns first
wife. He was not even adopted; but he
lived with us, and uses our name.
never knew of the will, till Emmett's
lawyer brought it. l signed the papers
because they insisted upon it. l did not
know. l never had any head for BUSH
ness" smiling TREMENDOUSLY. 81 supposed
there was at least living for me. But
Emmett and his wife understood differ
emily. So l took the two hundred had
in the bank, and came here"
Burdick leaned back, almost giddy
with relief. No son of hers! Thank
Cod
What if I were to tell you Marcia"
he said, at last, slowly, that your sig
natures under compulsion are not worth
straw, that the will itself was forged.
and that | have Emmett Warren's sworn
abdication of every claim on your hus.
bands property, while you live?"
White as ghost, she stared at him
in dumb unbelief
at is not true, Willard?"
at is true" he answered. "Your home
Is your own again. There will be no
scandal; the rascal was glad enough to
capitulate, when he was faced with
proofs-and | had them But" he
leaned over, great light Ieaping into
his eyes-"that was not the real business
that brought me to see you, Marcia Do
you remember the old poplar down in the
pasture? | saw it last summer. The
two names cut in the bark have grown
into one. Was it an omen? Dear, the
place you left vacant waits for you still.
Will you take it again?"
Once more the soft color flooded her
thin cheek. ooh, Willard" she began;
but Burdick's big arm was around her.
and he had drawn her close to his Shout
der
I'VE must never quarrel again, sweet
heart. Great Heavens! Was it all
wretched dream I wonder! It's never
80 years since held you-and kissed you
this way!"