Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1914-09-15

portunity to crop out. The bare idea
Of going to college filled him with de-
light
"Where will the money come fromF
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 Il 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.
"He came to America from England
about twenty years ago. He was the
son Of nobleman. and in that country
they have what they Gull a 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 bis father In England sent for
him to come back-without his wife
and a proposition would be made to
him. He accepted the invitation. His
father told him that his older brother
had received an injury while hunting
from which he would never recover.
II your father would remain in Eng
land divorce his American wife and
marry among his peers in England he
should be put In possession Of the tte
and estates. Your father after much
persuasion wrote your mother Of this
proposition She consented to It and
obtained a divorce on the ground OF
desertion. Your father married again.
and his wife died childless a year ago.
These are the bare facts. l shall
neither try to excuse your father nor
to condemn him. That l leave for
your mother to do. will say. how
ever. that he condemns himself bit.
terly."
Where is my father now?' asked
Rudolf. wondering.
Here: am your father
There was a pause. after which the
boy asked why he had been kidnapped.
81 came to America to make amends
for what | have done. Your mother
can best be made to forgive me through
the one she loves best-her son. de-
sired to tell you the story in my own
way and send my supplications for
forgiveness to her through you. You
are free to 80 bach to her this after
noon and ask her II she will receive a
visit from me-
Rudolf sprang to his feet. II will go
now; am sure she will do as ! wish.
and wish that she shall forgive
you"
The car was ordesed. and the two
went hand In hand to the porte-cochere
There Rudolf threw his arms about
his fathers neck. kissed him and was
carried away.
When Rudolf reached home his moth
er asked him to give her couple Of
hours Of quiet thought In her room
and then she would give him her de
cision. For awhile she found It hard
to conquer rebellious feelings against
the husband who had deserted her. but
memories of her early happy married
life softened her heart.
Rudolf went back with favor
able reply. He remained at the house
his father had temporarily taken dur
ing his stay in America while his
father went for an interview which
the boy hoped and prayed might, bring
a family reunion. During the time'that
he was left alone he was treated With
every attention by the servants. but so
great was his impotence to learn what
might be the result Of the Interview
between his parents that he found no
enjoyment In the luxury by which he
was surrounded. On the third day aft
or his fathers departure the car pulled
up under the pOrte-c0chere. Rudolf
Fan out eagerly. His father nlighted.
ten heaven be praised handed out
his mother. Rudolf ran to her. and
rhe caught him In her arms.
What further explanation the hoy re-
ceived was given by his mother. The
pair had Just been married second
time and were to live together. The
husband and father was now Earl OF
Edgerton. and the son was heir to the
dtle and estates.