Ladysmith news. [volume] (Ladysmith, Wis.) 1906-1907, 1907-03-30
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BY CLARA AUGUSTA
CHAPTER XI.-(CoNTINUED.)

CHAPTER XL-CONTINUED.
The decree has gone forth. There is
from it no appeal. l am to die. I have
felt the certainty a long time. o, for
one year of existence, to right the
wrongs 1 have done! But they could
not be righted. Alas. if had centuries
or time at my command, [ could not
bring back to life the dear son my
cruelty hurried out of the world, or his
ooor wife, whose fair name I could, in
my revenge for her love of my son, have
taken from her! o Hubert! Hubert! o
my darling! dearer to me than my
hearts blOOd-but so foully wrOnged!'
His frame shook with emotion, but
no tears came to his eyes. His remOrse
was too deep and bitter for the surface
sorrow of tears to relieve.
"Put it out of your mind, grandfath-
er," said Arch, pressing his hand. do
not think of it, to let it trouble you
more. They are all, I trust, in heaven.
Let them rest"
And you tell me this, Archer? You,
who hated me so! You, who swore
solemn oath to be revenged on me!
Well, do not blame you. I only won
der that your forbearance was so long
suffering. Once you would have re-
toiced to see me suffer as [ do now"
Il should, say it to my shame. God
forgive me for my wickedness! But
for her"-looking at Margie-"I might
have kept the sinful VOW | made. She
saved me-"
Come here, Margie, and kiss me-
said the old man, tenderly. my dear
children! my precious children, both OF
you! l bless you both-both of you to-
gether, do you hear? Once l cursed
you, Archer-now bless you! If there
is a God, and I do at last believe there
is, he will forgive me that curse; for |
have begged it of Him on my Bonded
knees"
"He is merciful, dear guardian said
Margie, gently. HE never refuses the
earnest petition of the suffering soul.
ARCHER, your grandmother died
little while ago. My cruelty to your
father made her, for twenty long years,
a maniac. But before her death, all de-
fusion was swept away, and she babe
me love and forgive our grandson
that she might tell your father and
mother, when she met them in heaven,
that at last all was we'll here below.
promised her, and since then my soul
has been at peace. But [ have longed
30 go to her-longed ineXpressibly. She
had been all around me, but so i'm
palpable that when put out my hands
to touch her, they grasped only the air.
The hands of mortality may not reach
after the hands which have put on i'm
mortality"
He lay quiet moment, and then
vent on, brokenly:
Archer, l wronged your parents bit
terly, but I have repented it in dust
and ashes. Repented it long ago, only
was too proud and stubborn to &C
knowledge it. Forgive me again, Arch
er. and kiss me before die"
'T do forgive you, grandfather; do
forgive you with my whole heart" He
stopped, and left kiss on the withered
lOISuCdu
"Margie," said the feeble voice, pray
for me, that peace may come
She looked at Archer, hesitated
moment, then knelt by the bedside. He
stood silent, and then, urged by some
uncomfortable impulse, he knelt by her
side.
The girlish voice, broken, but sweet
as music, went up to Heaven in a petit
ton so fervent, so simple, that God
heard and answered. The peace she
asked for the dying man came.
Her pleading ceased. Mr.. Trevlyn
lay quiet, his countenance serene and
hopeful. His lips moved, they bent
over him, and caught the name of
Caroline"
Trevlyn's hand sought Margie's and
she did not repulse him. They stood
together silently, looking at the white
tace on the pillows.
"He is deadr' Archer said, softly;
God rest him.