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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 1886)
THE WEST SHORE. 249 keep house for your fathor. All at once John beenme staid and grave, like a middlo-ngcd man. lie wont on with everything just the same, but I knew he would never be young any more; and ho nevor was. Poor fol low! He had but one ainbitiou iu life, and that was to have a good wife and little ones to eall him fathor. I have done what I could, but that is very littlo. And now, after ho had begun to think he was to have a littlo compensation in you" She stopped and dried her eyes hastily, as though she was angry with herself for showing so much weak ness. " To think that for twenty years he has Irou supply ing the means for you to live so as to learn to despiso him!" she suddenly went on. "Don't deny it, Emily! You have despised him all this tiino. You are too re lined for him, and can't see that an honest, single-iniud-ed, unselfish man is a gentleman, however plain and rough his manuors may bo. I wish to heaven you had never come!" Again she dried hor eyes angrily ami tried to go on with her knitting, when all at once Emily was on her kuees by hor side, clinging to her hand and trying to sponk, with hor pale face all quivering with pain. " Don't don't sav anv more." she gasped. " I am not so hoartloss, aunt" " There, there, Emily, don't be so excited, you alarm me. Why, how you are trembling, child! No, do not Bpeak yet, wait till you are quieter. My poor child! I didn't mean to I didn't think you would fool it like this." "Oh! why why didn't you tell nie-soonor? I won't go aunt now," and the poor girl began to sob wildlv. MisB Milward, who had never given her oredit for so much fooling, was quito startled, and tried hor best to lull the tempest of emotion, but for a tnno, in vain. " I couldn't help it," Baid Emily, at lust, pitifully, " it seemed so cruel." She was on the floor now, with her head laid against her aunt's knee, a choking sob at intervals being all that was loft of the storm. Azubah's hand wandorod over the soft tumbled huir with a soothing touch, but sho said nothing. "Aunt sav you forgive me," Emily faltered, pres. untlv. " foreivo me ami lot me begin again. I shall not think of coing away. You will forgot it all and lot me try once more?" "Yes, child-yes. We will both begiu again," re. Mis Milward And for the first time she kissed hor neice with real cordiality, as she took hor in hor arms. On the next day Emily was very quint and auxious ' to please hor aunt, but hor littlo attontious wore paid ,lf W.ntlv. for she was thiuking of hor fathor. The luv Horned of inordinate length, now that she was long- im for it to was. John Milward was to be back at toa time, and for once his daughter longed for bis arrival, Iu the afternoon, Miss Milward went out on some errand of charity, and Emily was left to wait alono. As it grow toward the time, she found some satisfaction in arranging flowers daintily eud placing them on tho tea- tnblo, and iu putting everything in readiness. A step on tho gravel walk caught hor ear as she was bringing Milward'a slippers to pirn nonr his clmir, Sho turned to the window and saw, not her fathor, but Tom lllakoly, advancing with a slow and heavy tread. Something ominous in Ins looks led her to open the door and admit him herself. " Is anything wrong?" she asked, in almost a whis per, her heart sinking at tho first sight of his serious face. lie followed her into the room where tea was spread, and thou sioko. " Yes, I have brought you bail news. Where is your aunt?" " Gone out!" " Out! Then sho will hear it before she comes back. Emily, your father has met with an accident. You must lo strong and help your aunt to bear it It will lie an awful blow for her. Where has sho gone? It may not 1m too late." " I don't know, said Emily, almost iuaudilily, " what is it?" Ho led her to a chair ami made her sit dowu before replying. " Ho was thrown out while driving. I ho horse (ell down." " Where is he? I must go to him!" and she started to her feet and tried to pass him. " Oh, don't ship mo! Ijot mo go." No no. You can do no good. Emily, can t you guess?" he said, holding her hand, his own face working the while. " How can I toll you, my ssir darling! He had said enough. Emily stood still, with the truth gradually forcing itself uhhi her with all its hor ror. Ho was gone, and without a word! " Oh, heaven!" A wild cry, ami she swayed backward and would have fallen. To!" started and threw his arum around her. Her head fell hack helplessly, and ho laid her on the sofa perfectly unconscious. At that instant the door opined and John himself entered, followed by Axuhah. " You young idiot!" he said, angrily, laying his hand 011 tho young man's shoulder, " what, in heaven's name, did you want to ooine and frightou her to death for? Look to her, Axuhah." The young man staggered hack iu astonishment. "What! you are not-" " Killed? No; but there has boou an accident, and some fool -confound him! spread it alsmt that it was There, be off!' With nod of dismissal to Ulakely, who, seeing it was no timo for apologies, immediately quitted the house, he turned to whore his sister was eudeavoring to restore Emily to consciousness. As she oned hr mo.