Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1907-11-13

Did she say that?" asked Paul F,
a. hoarsely while his eyes grew di
tn tears. Poor Maggie, she love
dearly and we'll"
That moments softening touched b
tighter more than any words coul
we done.
4 have been a bad man. he said
1t think / am punished when
and here abashed and humbled be
IRE my own child. It is strang,
orld for all of us"
he drew his daughters hand in his
WI; there was no warmth in her
manner. and he felt some keen dis
ppointment -et acknowledging It
vas 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. a am very black, in
deed; but perhaps you may think more
gently of me, If you hear all that l
| have to say. You need not be
ASHAMED Of me: by birth, as wen as
everything else. I am gentleman"
a gentleman" repeated his un-
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 un-
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; I spurned her from my door,
and broke her heart. own it all, and
I am sorry for it; can mortal man say
more?" She made no reply, and he
continued: You love her. 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 ct 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 lips 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.
ut shall be so, she said gently;
for her sake l 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,
lsorrowing 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
I 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 I am a reckless
man. You have saved me will try
lit is never too late-I will try and
be more worthy of you; / win not
shame you again, 1 told you ii was
my life you held in your hands. Now
I time presses. Listen to me. We must
/ both preserve our secret. I have en-
tered upon fresh life I am rich,
and men respect me am going to
marry; nay, do not start from me
child; that cannot hurt your mother
now. l am going to marry one who
will do great things for me. see
honor and rank and good word and
praise Of men before me- see a
S~'NNl anu A4GiAGt me Dut All lfllS QH-
/ ponds on you l suffered, Hilda: no
one knew Il Shame and disgrace
cankered my very soul. believe
| hated your mother because her loyal
| cart ever found excuses for me
could not suffer Shame again If our
secret should become known, were
to say you are my child, or If you were
to call me father, my story must be
known; men must know that | am
Stephen Hurst, the ex-convict: and If
this should come TO pass. (mind, hate
heroics; | say it calmly,) if this ever
gets known / will kill myself. / shall
not wait for scorn and contempt to
destroy me. You see leave my life
in YOUR hands,
Il have no wish to make 1t known,
! she replied, sorrowfully; my happ-
ness is destroyed. I cannot endure to
look in my husbands face a11 know
that / have deceived him. | have no
business here; my place is amongst
the poor and shame-stricken II Lord
Bayneham knew my story | believe he
would send me- from him II I conceal
it, 1t will Kill me Where am to look
for helpa Who can aid NEE"