The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-01-13
worthy of your sweet sympathy and, In
| q word is NV hest friend y

worthy Of your sweet sympathy and, in
word, is my best friend."
Uncle Paul halted suddenly, utterly
dumbtounded at the declaration. He
raised both hands, as if the effr0ntery of
the avowal had filled him with surprise
and indignation too deep for expression.
"Tell me, Phillip Hastings, that at
least you do not know this old mans
history"
A thousand frightful questions sug-
gested themselves to the mind of Mary.
She leaned forward to catch Philips
denial, a denial she hoped he would
make, and she shared Paul Wayne's hor-
ror when Phillip said: "Every line and
passage of it, sir"
"Why, sir, he's the wickedest man
alive, and If you-well, il he is your
friend, if there is any community of
thought with him, why, we'll, Pm right
beyond doubt. But that can not be.
/ tell you all, you will cast him off,"
"He has told me all, and I find that he
has told me the truth, the whole truth
and nothing but the truth. When men
assume character it is not bad one.
The old Quigley has made clean breast
Of it all. He arrested me In my down.
ward career, and l can not, would not
cast him OFF,
There was something in this speech, so
earnest, so manly, that Mary was proud
Of ner lover for having uttered it, and
even the lines in Uncle PauPs face soft
ened, and he was almost ready to ac-
knowledge that he might be wrong, g,when
Philip resumed his story:
81 spent last winter in New Orleans as
you know. One night visited gaming
table. and was induced to play. | lost
heavily, and, becoming desperate, l was
upon single throw, when q servant
stumbled against me and we fell. AS i
stopped to aid him he whispered: i did
it purposely. Play no more. Meet me
outside the door, / withdrew from the
game and met him, and he said: Your
antagonist there pointing inside, was
cheating you; l saw it all. Don't go
back. / was ruined there; l used to
play with thousands, now 1 sweep the
tloors., 'Why do you stay therep l
asked. Il must eat and drink, and who
will take me with character from there
as my last placer"
Mary felt relieved, and her uncle Paul
said, "rhe servant was Quigley; but he
doubtless did not tell you that all these
thousands lie stole from his deserted
wife, or gained on forged paper.n
"No, sir, not then. But l took him as
my servant, and then he told me that
could not trust him, and why. He told
me what you have just stated. l did
trust him and ha;e never had occasion
to doubt him or regret my choice."
Uncle Paul paced the ilo6r for mo-
ment, mutLerIng, at will come out be-
yond doubt; [ had better tell it ALL"
then went over to Mary and caught her
to his heart as if he would shield her
with his life, and looking at Philip said:
"YOu believe in this mans reformation
this man Quigley. One more test and
that will settle it beyond doubt. Would
you marry his daughter?
"It were not engaged and"-he stop
ped. Surprise was flushing Mary's face
when Uncle Paul answered the ques-
tioning face before him.. ''There she is.
yes, my ward, my more than child, is
Qulgley's daughter, given me by his de-
serted wife, and Mary's mother. Prove
your sincerity in this man."
Philip took the poor amazed girl in his
arms ana saved her from falling. Uncle
Paul hoped about the room as one pos
;essed, dashing a tear from his eye and
ats all right now, beyond
l doubt"
Quigley, by the aid OF gift left him by
a relative, was enabled to pay those he
had wronged i'll purse, and with q lovely
daughter to caress and comfort his old
age his was a happy end. We should
never distrust the ability of any man for
and no repentance should
be despised.