The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1912-03-15

about to go.
Then the priest rose. There Is yet
this, however" said he, and walking
toward Thord, he took him by the
hand and looked gravely into his eyes:
God grant that the child may become
blessing to you!"
One day sixteen years later, Thord
stood once more In the priests study.
II have come this evening about
that son Of mine who Is to be confirm.
ed tomorrow" 81 did not wish to pay
the priest until heard what number
the boy would have when he takes his
place In church tomorrow" said
Thord.
"He will stand number one."
$50 I have heard; and here are $40
for the priest"
us there anything else I can do for
you?" inquired the priest, fixing his
eyes on Thord.
There is nothing else."
Thord went out.
Eight years more rolled by, and then
one day noise was heard outside of
the priests study, for many men were
approaching. and at their head was
Thord, who entered first
The priest looked up and recognized
him.
"You come we'll attended this even
ing, Thord," said he.
Il am here to request that the
banns may be published for my son;
he is about to marry Karen Storliden,
daughter Of Gudmund, who stands
here beside me-"
why, that is the richest girl in the
parish"
$50 they say" replied the peasant.
stroking back his hair with one hand.
This is now the third time. Thord.
that you have come here on your sons
account"
But now am through with him."
said Thord. and folding UP his pocket
book he said farewell and walked
away.
Tho men slowly followed him.
A fortnight later. the father and SON
were rowing across the lake. one
calm. still day. to storliden to mako
arrangements for the wedding.
This thwart Is not secure" said
the son, and stood up to straighten
the seat on which he was sitting.
At the same moment the board he
was standing on slipped from under
him: he threw out his arms. uttered a
shrek. and fell overheard.
take hold OF the oar!" shouted the
father. springing to his feet and hold
ing out the oar.
But when the son had made q cou-
PIE Of efforts he grew stin.
"Wait q moment!" cried the father,
and began to row toward his son.
Then the son rolled over on his
back, gave his father one long look.
and sank.
Thord could scarcely believe It: he
held the boat still, and stared at the
spot where his son had gone down, as
though he must surely come to the
surface again. There rose some bub-
bles, then some more, and finally one
large one that burst; and the lake lay
| there as smooth and bright as mir
TOR again.
For three days and three nights
people saw the father rowing round
and round the spot. without taking
either food or sleep: he was dragging
the lake for the body Of his SON. And
toward morning Of the third day he
| found II. and carried It in his arms
Up over the hills to his gard,
| II might have been. about . year
| ffom that day, whom the, priest. late,
i Due autumn evening. heard, some one
4 n the passage outside OF the door
SsrSkpliy trying 70 fnd, the latch. The
\ priest opsnsd the door, and In Walked
i & TIT. thin man. With bowed form and
|, xhity hair.e The priest looked long at
HIN before hs recognized him. ,ftwsa
sTSord Lana som. monsy on the table.
The priest counted IT, r.. ergw siu
. s.Tt z y srsat as.i q money" said
Fit Is half the, pric. Of my s.rd- I
sold today" oa-g,e, ~. sr,.r.
'"what do you propose to do now.
4 Thordf.' fsre.t ,.sf erl-a ~ - ~
Something better"
They sat there, for . while. Thorl
With -downcast eyes. the priest WITH
his eyes fixed on Thord. Presently
the priest said. slowly and softly:
az think your SON has at last brought
you q true blessing" -,
Eyes, I think 70 myself" said
Thord, looking up. while two big tears
ooursed slowly down his checks.