Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1906-06-09
for The Term of Ills Natural Life


we're the actors III H. Out was M Wv
man, whose white hair and wrlnkled face
gave token that he was at least sixty
years Of age. He stood erect in the
attitude of one surprised into sudden
passion, and held uplifted the heavy
cbon cane upon which he was ordinarily
accustomed TO lean. He was confronted
by man of two-and-twenty, unusually
tall and athletic Of figure. dressed IN
rough seafaring clothes. and who held IN
his arms, protecting her. lady OF
middle age. The face Of the young man
wore an expression Of establishment,
and the slight frame Of the gray-haired
woman was convulsed with sobs.
These three people were Sir Richard
Devine, his wife, and his only son Rich
ard. who had returned from abroad that
morning.
80, madam" said Sir Richard. IN the
high-strung accent which in crises OF
great mental agony are common to the
most self-restrained of rs. you have
been for twenty years a living lie. For
twenty years you have cheated and
Knocked me. For twenty years you have
laughed at me for a credulous fool; ana
now. because | dared to raise my hand
to that reckless boy. you admit it, and
glory in the confession"
"Mother, dear motherw cried the
young man. in a paroxysm Of grief, "say
that you did not mean those words; you
said them but in angerl See. am calm
now, and he may strike me If he Will
Lady Deyine shuddered. creeping
close. ms though to hide herself In the
broad bosom Of her son.
The old man continued; 81 married
you. Eilinor Wade, for your beauty; you
married me FOR my fortune. was a
plebeian. ships carpenter! you were
well born. your father was a man OF
fashion. the friend Of prodigals. was
rich. had been knighted. was in
favor at court He wanted money and
be sold You. paid the price he asked.
but there was nothing of your cousin.
my lord Bellnsis in the bond.
"Spare me. sir, spare mel" said Lady
Ellinor. family.
"Spare youl Ay. you have spared
me. have you not? Lookye." he cried
In sudden fury. Il am not to be fooled
90 easily. Your family are proud. Col
Wade has other daughters. My lord
Bellasis. even now thinks to retrieve
his broken fortunes by marriage. To-
morrow your father, your sisters. all the
world, shall know the story you have
told me-"
"You will not do thisr' burst out the
young man.
'Silencew cried Sir Richard.
Lady Devine slipped through her sons
arms, and fell on her knees at her hus
bands feet.
''Do not do this, Richard. have been
faithful to you for two and twenty
years. l have borne all the Sights and
Insults you have heaped upon me. The
secret Of my early love, the confession
that / never loved you broke from m,
when, in your rage. you threatened him.
Sir Richard. who had turned to wall
away. stopped suddenly. aud his grea
white eyebrows came together in hi
red face with savage scowl. III
laughed and in that laugh his fur,
seemed to CONCEAL into a cold and crue
hate.
You shall have your wsh-upon on
condition"
"What is 1t, sir?" she asked. rising
but trembling with terror, as she stoo,
with dropping arms and widely opene,
eyes.
The old man looked at her for an in
slant, and then said, slowly:
'That this disobedient son, who ha
wrongfully squandered my money an,
eaten my bread, shall pack That h
keep himself from my sight, and neve
set foot again In house Of mine"
Richard Devne gently loosed tn
arms that again chung around his neck
kissed the pale face, and turned his
scarcely less pale-toward the old mar
81 owe you no duty" he said. "Yo
have always hated and revled m,
When by your violence you drove m
from your house. you set spies to waite
me In the life | had chosen. hav
nothing in common with you. / hav
long felt 1t. ! accept the terms 70
offer l will 60"
Sir Richard Devine laughed again. "
am glad TO see you are so well dispose,
Listen now. Tonight l send for Quai
TO alter my will My sisters son, Maj
rice Frere. shall be my heir in you
stead. l give you nothing You leay
this house in an hour. You change you
name; you never by word or deed max
claim on me or mine. return In a
hour, madam; let me find him gone"
He passed them. upright, as If NJ
borne by passion, strobe down the ga
den with the vigor that anger lend
and took the road to London.
Richard" cried the poor mothe
'Forgive me, my son. / have RUNE
you"
Richard Devine tossed his black ha
from his brow in sudden passion Of loy
and grief.
"Mother dear mother, do not weep,
he said. 81 am not worthy of YOU
tears. Forgivel Ii Is I-impetuous an
ungrateful during all your years of so
row-whO most need forgiveness. l.,
me share your burden that | may ngh
eL il. He is just. 1t is fitting that
10. | can earn a name-a name tn.
need not blush to bear nor you
hear. | am strong. / can work. III
world is wide. Farewell my own mot
erl"
''Not yet, not yeti Ali see, he h,
taken the Belsize road. Oh. Richar
pray heaven they may not meet"
''rushl They will not meet. You a
pale, you faintr'
"A terror Of | know not what cOmii
evil overpowers me- | trembe for Il
future. Oh, Richard. Richard. forgi'
me- pray for me-"
"Hush. dearest. Come. let me lei
you in. | will write will send y,
news of me once, at least, ere l depai
So. you are calmer, moiherr'
Sir Richard Devine. knight. shi
builder, naval contractor aud millio
aire. was the son Of a Harwich ho
carpenter. Early left an orphan with
sister to support. he soon reduced |