Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1907-11-13

curing food and firing. SO for the
sakes of those helpless ones who were
dependent on him, he overcame his
pride, and wrote to his father a simple
statement of affairs and asked for help.
But neither to this letter did there
come a reply.
And lower yet in the abyss of des-
titution did the little family descend
till actual starvation stared them in
the face.
Squire Hilton, meanwhile, had been
wandering the world over.
His son had deeply disappointed
him, and he intended to wash his
hands of him entirely, to bafish all
thought of him from remembrance.
But despite this resolution, soften
Ing memories Of the erring Godfrey
would creep into his mind.
He was ashamed of his weakness,
and even to himself would not &C.
knowledge that it was paternal long
ing which induced him to a sudden re-
solve to return home.
His movements had been so uncer-
tain that only when he cabled an adj
dress were letters forwarded. Conse-
quently, there was a vast accumuIa-
ton Of correspondence awiting him
when he reached Hilton.
Geoffrey's two letters, the one in
forming him Of the boys BIRTH the
other telling of the dire straits to
which he was reduced were among it.
To his other letters the Squire paid
no attention, but after reading these
epistles, he consulted a Bradshaw and
gave orders for the dog-cart to be In
readiness to convey him to the station
early the following morning He slept
| badly that night, and the journey to
town seemed an interminable one Ar
rived at st. Pancras he hailed a cab
and noted the mans look of astonish-
ment when he gave him Godfrey adj
dress Little wonder either, he unused
grimly, remarking the neighborhoods
they traversed.
AT length the Jehu pulled up his
horse short.
Caves Buildings as you wants is
down that there court" he explained
to his fare. TT amt exactly a gen
teel part this, is it?" and he smiled
broadly as he pOcketed the coins hand
ed him, and drove off while the squire
walked gingerly down the narrow alley
| indicated. A tumble-down structure
faced him at the end, and inquiry Of
bare-faced urchin ELECTED the fact
i he al hn
A dim, dark entry! An evil-smell-
ing interior! And within was the
home of his son and his grandson.
His heart sickened, and he turned
away. He was too overcome to enter.
| He must collect his senses ere he could
return, but the shock had been great
Taking no heed to the way he retraced
his steps down the narrow alley, and
then wandered along one street and
another. till he found himself in a
wide thoroughfare where there was
considerable traffic.
1t was Saturday night, too, and
there were plenty of people buying
and bartering at the stalls which Dor
dered the roadv ay.
Presently he came to a stretch OF
blank wall, the. wall of a disused
churchyard, now converted into play
ground for children Crouched against
this wall was a mans figure, while on
the pavement beside him were sketch
ed various bright-colOred scenes.
AS Mr. Hilton approached two
women with shawls drawn closely
round them. ~and untidy uncovered
heads, stopped to criticise these pro
auctions.
Their sudden stopping arrested the
sources progress, and in spite of him
self his attention was attracted to the
gaudy sketches.
Que was the rough representation
Of a large country house, and for all
it's lack of finish the squire recognized
it-Hilton Hall.
The women had moved on after
first dropping a copper into the cap
which was placed ready for the con-
tribution of the charitable
The artist was huddled against the
wall, his head dropped, his thin coat
dragged across his chest as protection
against the keen wind.
The squire bent down, and laying
his hand on his shoulder shook him.
Then he lifted his face, and at sight
of it a hoarse cry broke from the elder
man. "Geofrey, my son, my son, for
give me-"
Thus was healed the breach between
father and son. And the doors of
Hilton Hall opened wide to receive not
only Godfrey, but Geoffrey's wife and