Will you tell me you forgive him?
I know your heart is pure and good or you would have troubled him
while alive. Don't sit so mute, you frighten me; shall I call your
son--the servants?"
"No, no, don't call anybody," was her response, "but speak of him,
of him you loved, the only one I have ever loved save my child." At
the thought of her son she broke out into sobs, and the blessed
tears brought balm to her heart. Silence prevailed for a long time,
save the sobs of both. At length a knock was heard, and a servant
inquired if the ladies wished to take refreshments with the gentlemen.
Both would have declined but for appearance sake, and, after bathing
their faces, descended to the room where the gentlemen had
transacted their business.
On entering Mrs. Stephens approached Willie saying: "I hope you have
consented to take, in addition to the name which you bear already,
the name of Stephens, which was the last desire of my dear husband
and also my sincere wish."
"If my mother consents to assume that name also I shall, but
otherwise I must decline, as I shall never bear any other name than
my mother whom I love and honor, and who can, if she prefer, refuse
this bequest and need never tell me why. I know she will do all for
the best if it combine with honor.
Pages:
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203
204
205
206
207
208
209
210
211
212
213