Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1914-12-30

listened to what the stranger had to
| say and had time to consider it he
might go home she seemed much re-
lieved and told him not to try to es-
cape, but await further developments
On leaving the telephone Rudolf
found his captor-host waiting for him
In the dining room. and the two sat
down to such luncheon as the boy
had never tasted before. While they
were eating the gentleman talked. but
not about what Rudolf wished to hear
an explanation of this strange captiv-
fty. He asked Rudolf what he proposed
to do now that he had left school. and
when Rudolf told him that he was GO
ing to hunt for position in business
the other shook his head.
you will never succeed in business
he said.
"Why do you say that?'
by the shape of your head and the
expression Of your face l judge that
you were born for an intellectual ca
reer. How would you like to go to
college?''
"Oh. I should like that above all
things. But can't. Mother has done
everything for me up to this time, and
now that l am nearly a man l must
begin the work Of taking care Of her."
The host seemed to vince at this and
remained quiet for a time. Then he
continued:
eff certain arrangements can be
made which l shall propose to you.
will you go to college?"
|
away. For one year during which his
mother was ill she had been obliged
to put him in a store as errand boy.
This had given the natural distaste
| there was in him for business an op.
portunity to crop out. The bare idea
Of going to college filed him with de-
light
Where will the money come from 2"
he asked.
Il will furnish that
Rudolf. though intent upon knowing
more, thrust back the next question
that was on his tongue and applied
himself to delicacy which the butler
served him.
When the luncheon was finished his
host led him to the library, pointed to
an easy chair then. seating himself in
another, said:
Rudolf, your father is not dead; he
is very much alive"
The boy started. then sat looking at
the speaker, waiting hungrily for more.
i. Gle came to America from England
about twenty years ago. He was the
son of nobleman, and in that country
they have what they call law of
entail, which settles the family estate
on the oldest son. Your father was
the second son. He came to America,
met your mother. who was then a
beautiful girl, fell in love with her
! and married her. After you were
) born his father in England sent for
him to come back-without his wife
and proposition would be made to
him. He accepted the invita- ton. His
father told him that his older brother
= had received an injury while hunting
: from which he would never recover
If your father would remain in Eng
land. divorce his American wife and
t marry among his peers in England he
= should be put in possession of the title
: and estates. Your father after much
l persuasion wrote your mother Of this
proposition. She consented to it and
obtained divorce on the ground OF
desertion. Your father married again
and his wife died childless a year ago
These are the bare facts. | shall
neither try to excuse your father MOI
4 to condemn him. That l leave fol-
your mother to do. l will say, how
ever, that he condemns himself bit
= terly.'
$ Where is my father now?' asked
Rudolf. wondering
:. Here; am your father
e There was a pause, after which the
e boy asked why he had been kidnapped
l Il came to America to make amends
for what l have done Your mOthe
can best be made to forgive me through
j. the one she loves best-her SON. / de
sired to tell you the story in my OWL
0 way and send my supplications fol
forgiveness to her through you. YOU
are free to go back to her this after
noon and ask her if she will receive
visit from me-"
4 Rudolf sprang to his feet. Il will e,
y now; | am sure she will do as l wish
and l wish that she shall forgiv
) you"
- The car was ordered, and the tw
: went hand i 70 the Dorte-cochere
: There RudC = arms abOu
= his fathers He - him and wa
. carried away
= When Rudolf reached home his moth
~ er asked him to give her a couple O
hours Of quiet thought in her roor
and then she would give him her dc
cision. For awhile she found it har
- to conquer rebellious feelings agains
= the husband who had deserted her, bu
- memories of her early happy marie
life softened her heart.
- Rudolf went back with a favol
. able reply. He remained at the hous
e his ia thor had tob d,,,