The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1919-12-11
cAfter the
Years

BY GENEvIEvE ULMAR
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ence of which was TO remain with MIN
through life. He was manly little
fellow Of ten, aud for two whole bliss
fu hours he had wandered about a
beautiful garden with a charming miss
two years his junior, she courteous,
then gracious, and finally indulgent
and alfectiOnate.
why his widowed mother had
brought him from Belleyille to call up
on Jared Marston, the rich manufac-
turer, Gerald had then no idea. He
was only glad that she had left him to
play with the little girl while she, seri-
Ous-faced ana at times weeping, sat on
the porch conversing with Mr.. Mars
ton, who seemed sympathetic and in
tcrested.
81 like you better than any boy ]
ever knew, Gerald Rolfe," said Beulah
Marston, earnestly. Il won't ever for
get YOU"
"Nor you" replied the lad staunch-
IT, "See, found two four-leaf cloyers.
I'm going TO press mine and keep 1t
always In this old memorandum book
my father always carried"
And | shall put mine in the little
locket wear with mammals picture in
IT," said Beulah.
ooh, papa !" she added, as her father
and his visitor approached, "Please
can't he stay and then come again? He
is a grand, good bog, and love him so
muchw and both children were in
tears at the parting and then they
chung to each other and kissed, Beulah
sobbing out her grief and disappOint-
meIt
1--WE are going to leave Belleville to-
morrow, Gerald" said Mrs Rolfe,
when they had arrived home. your
poor father has left nothing and we
are going TO the city. I shall visit his
grave early in the morning and l wish
you to go with me-"
It was beside the newly made mound
that Mrs Rolfe drew Gerald to her
.ide Il have something very solemn
and sacred to tell you" she said
something you must never forget and
which will be the guiding impulse of
your life. Your father died Of a broken
heart. IL was not because he had lost
everything, but for the reason that he
had innocently involved an estate Of
two orphans Of which he was trustee.
That fact drove him nearly insane.
When Mr. MarstOn generously paid up
every debt it brought to your father
joy and relief and he died blessing
this noble benefactOr Gerald, l want
you To take a solemn VOW that If ever
you can serve Jared Marston or his
family even at the cost of all you pos
sess, YOU will make the sacrifice I'M
grudgingly."
II shall never forget" pledged the
boy solemny, and he never did. The
vow was as sacredly regarded as was
the life remembrance he had promised
little Beulah.
Mrs. Rolfe died nine years later, not,
however, until she had seen her son Sc
cure in promising position. At TWEEN
ty-one Gerald was comparatively
wealthy man. Just after that he went
down TO The home of the Marstons. In
c.deuDally through the years he had
kept track of them Latterly he had
learned that Mr. Marston had failed in
LfI.fFlgg Alhan hn oVtsi,-al Gam Il
discovered that father and daughter
had taken up humble quarters in lit
tie cottage Mr.. Marston had not found
employment and Beulah was earning
their living as a teacher of music.
1t was Beulah who answered his ring
al the door bell and Informed him that
her father was absent. She had grown
into a creature so lovely that Gerald
sat like one dazzled. He noted that
She fixed her eyes penetratingy upon
him several times. Finally she said:
"Haye / not known you before?"
Many years ago yes" he replied
"Theu you are Gerald Rolfe," spoke
BouIah. I'VE were little children then,
but ! have not forgotten, and father
has often wondered what became of
YOU"
"My mother died -four years SINCE"
said Gerald. - have come TO tell your
father Of the gratitude and regard of
my dear mother" and he reclted that
solemn promise made at the grave of
his father. Miss Marston, the money
your father so generously advanced,
with the interest, representing nearly
ten thousand dollars, ! shall repay, and
MY partners In business have author
izcd me to solicit his services as an ex-
perlencrd man in our line.
A few weeks later the Marstons had
moved to the city and Gerald called nj
their new home He came to confess
his love ana offer Beulah his heart and
fortune. She regarded him thought
fully. but there was a tremor in her
voice as She marmured with longing
smile:
Are you very sure Mr. Rolfe, that
an overestimate Of my fathers act of
Kindness has not influenced pity, char.
itN an interest that has impelled you
towards a sense Of duty. rather
than"
Lovcy questioned Gerald quickly.
Let This answer" and from the tat.
tered, cherished Old memorandum book
he drew forth The fourlcaf clover
And flushing but happyeyed, Beu.
lah removed the loeket az her fair
white throat ana produced the coun,
torpan OF the love pledge Of the lonp
non