But twelve years had passed since you left
this house in ignorance of all but my unnatural attitude towards
you. When, Oliver, when?"
"That I cannot answer, father; it was just a conviction which
dawned gradually upon me. Now, it seems as if I had known it
always; but that isn't so. A boy doesn't reason; and it took
reasoning for me to--to accept--"
"Yes, I understand. And that was your secret! Oh, Oliver, I shall
never ask for your forgiveness. I am not worthy it. I only ask
that you will not let pride or any other evil passion stand in the
way of the happiness I see in the future for you. I cannot take
from you the shame of my crime and long deception, but spare me
this final sorrow! There is nothing to part you from Reuther now.
Alike unhappy in your parentage, you can start on equal terms, and
love will do the rest. Say that you will marry her, Oliver, and
let me see her smile before I die."
"Marry her? Oh, father, will such an angel marry me?"
"No, but such a woman might."
Oliver came near, and stooped over his father's bed.
"Father, if love and attention to my profession can make a success
of the life you prize, they shall have their opportunity."
The father smiled. If it fell to others to remember him as he
appeared in his mysterious prime, to Oliver it was given to recall
him as he looked then with the light on his face and the last tear
he was ever to shed glittering in his fading eye.
"God is good," came from the bed; then the solemnity of death
settled over the room.
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