Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1907-11-07

What have done?" she said, wildly,
looking up to the still, serene heavens
Why should this fate have fallen up
ON me?"
Hush, Hildai" said Paul Fulton. 4.
shall do you no wrong child; we can
keep each others secrets. | do not
want to interfere with you. | should
not have said one word, but | feared
you would tell Lord Bayneham about
what occurred the other afternoon;
you looked so like your mother when
saw her first, that | could not help
it."
At her husbands name a low cry
came from Hilda's lips; what web of
sorrow, shame, and disgrace was
woven round her, and he knew nothing
of it,
''Will you tell me how and when you
saw your mother, Hilda?" asked Paul
Fulton humbly.
She told him the story of her
mothers death. Through the hard,
worldly nature, some sharp sting of re-
morse pierced him.
Great Heavens!' he cried, ito think
that came here, seeking my new life,
and find my wife's grave and my living
child"
She gave me one message for you"
said Hilda gently; ut was to tell you
that, dying, she blessed and forgave
you"
Did she say that?" asked Paul Full
ton, hoarsely while his eyes grew dim
with tears. Poor Maggie, she loved
me dearly and we'll"
That moments softening touched his
daughter more than any words could
have done.
Il have been bad man." he said;
but l think l am punished when |
stand here abashed and humbled be-
fore my own child. 1t is a strange
world for all of u.s.
He drew his daughters hand in his
own; there was no warmth In her
and he felt some keen dis
appointment yet acknowledging it
was just.
Would you care to hear the history
of black sheep, Hilda?" he said. and
something of his old gay manner came
back to him. n am very black. in
deed; but perhaps you may think more
gently of me. If you hear all that I
have to say. You need not be
ashamed of me; by birth, as well as
everything else I am gentleman"
"A gentleman repeated his I'M
happy daughter, with an infection of
scorn in her voice that she could not
control. do gentlemen usually
trample upon the heart that loves
them best, and go about the world I'M
der false name-a living lie?"
He bit his lips, listening to her in
dignant words.
'Hilda," he said, "do not rouse all
that is bad in me. l wronged your
mother; | repaid her love with ingrati-
tude; spurned her from my door,
and broke her heart. own 1t all, and
am sorry for it; can mortal man say
more?' She made no reply, and he
you love her. I could
feel jealous that of two unknown par
ents you cling to one and regret the
other But you say she died blessing
me; would she like to know that you
my daughter, were my bitter enemy
that you could not repeat her love and
her pardon?'
Paul Fulton knew human nature; he
had touched the right spring at last.
For your mothers sake, say to me
that we are friends"
He waited for her answer, but hot
anger and fierce bitter sorrow were
warning in her heart. The quiet stars,
with their pure holy eyes, shone down
upon her, and the night wind. laden
with the fragrant breath of sleeping
flowers, whispered sweet messages of
peace to her; she saw again the clear
beautiful face, the cold. still ilips that,
even in dying, had whispered of love.
For your mothers sake,' urged
Paul Fulton again.
She turned to him and laid her hand
in his.
- Hht'Ai bS SOt Sht Setlu SeIllN
for her sake repeat her pardon and
her love-
He felt again the bitterness of his
punishment; his fair young child so
near him. her golden head dropping
under the weight of sorrow he heaped
upon her, her sweet face wet with
tears, her soft hand touching his own.
He did not dare do as other fathers
do; he dared not clasp the weeping.
Borrowing girl in his arms and COM
fort her; he felt that in her sweet in
nocence and guileless purity she was
far above him. He could have knelt
at her feet. but he dared not clasp her
in his arms.
"Hilda," he said gently "you are an
angel TO me; if you had sent me from
you In disgust should have gone
straight to the bad. for l am reckless
man. You have saved me. | will try
it is never too late--I will try and
be more worthy of you; | will not
shame you again. l told you il was
my life yea held in your hands. Now
tinosN I -, A