The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-06-30

child again and studied the thin face by
the lamplight. Yes, that was 1.-THE
likeness that had puzzled him so.
His child" he repeated, in a blind,
dazed manner. His son! and you are
his wife,"
Yes"
" The kettle boils," said Willie; "rn
make you some beef-tea. o mother,
mother you will get we'll"
Peter Gales wife and child! What
were they doing in beggary?
lie helped the little boy prepare some
nourishment for her, and presently he
listened to a broken, disjointed story. How
she had been high spirited, and they had
disagreed, until one day she had re-
nounced him and gone off in fit of pas
sion. And when her child was born
months afterward, how she had tri-
umphed in her entire possession of him.
She had small fortune of her own,
which had sutficed her until year ago
when an unforeseen loss had swept it
away. Then she sold her furniture, Jew
els, sewed a little, but with her failing
health she could not accomplish much
She had come to London to stay with a
friend until she should decide upon her
wisest course, for she was fearful that her
injured husband would take the child
and disown her. Her friend had died
suddenly week after her arrival, and
she had gone on in fear and suspense
until, as it seemed now, death was near
for herself. "Will he be glad to have
fais child?" she moaned "Oh, if l only
knew-if | only knew"
He gave the poor thing hope, and left
her much comforted. Then he went out
in the street once more.
Bessie had watched the hours away in
strange alright. Never had she seen
Joe in such mood. What had hap
pened to him? The fire wasted to ashes.
She shivered and drew shawl around
her shoulders. What if Joe's mind had
met with some great strain and he had
gone off to Observation-Disclosures than
that she could not think of him. The
clocks were striking nine. There was a
step on the stairs, and she opened the
door. Joe came in quietly, kissed her,
took off his overcoat and his boots, and
sank into his easy-chair. He was deadly
pale, now, with great shadows under his
eyes.
Joe"
Bessie, darling, have I acted like a
brute-a tiend? I've been tempted by
the evil one. had made up my mind to
be a thief, for thought saw no other
way out of my wilderness. Don't cry
out, Bessie; l am an honest man, and
will go honestly to my grave. l could
never DE tempted again after being
snatched out Of these depths"
She was crying at his feet. He raised
her with solemn tenderness and told her
his story.
He put on his coat next morning and
went to Mr.. Gales. II was dull, I'M
pretending brick house, but warm and
comfortable within. The master sat
over his lonely breakfast, his face grave
and sterner than ever. Had he been
thinking over old dreams long since come
to nothing?
" What now?" he said, gruffly, as Yates
entered the room.
This" answered Yates, and be laid
the check beside his plate. "You see it
came yesterday"
"And you"
sit was accidental at first. l mislaid
in my hurry. | did not tell you then,
because wanted to ask favor and knew
you would be angry at my Carelessness. |
put it in my pocket, anditbecame Satan's
temptation to me. Do you suppose this
paltry hundred would have satisfied me?
l knew how easily could make false en-
tries, and repay myself the sum that l
am worth to you that your penuriousness
keeps me out of. l went out in the
storm last night and fought as man
does for his life, and, with Heavens
help, conquered. l found poor little
stray, not yet nine years old, hawking
papers to keep himself and sick mother
from starvation. In his anxiety even he
refused to steal. And this child that
saved me, and made it an utter impossi-
bility ever to touch one penny of yours
or any mans money have not honestly
earned is-listen, Peter Gale-your son,
your baby, born less than nine years ago
months after his mother had left your
house"
my child! my son! What trumped-
up story is this?"
GO and see for yourself-there, 10
James Court. The woman is dying"
Peler Gales face took an ashen tint
He rose and tottered few steps, shaking
as if with an ague.
"Will you go with me, Yates? I
there are so many impostors. But
should know Margaret's face. Dying?"
What bitter memories surged up in
that hard heart only Heaven knew.
Yates took his arm and led him along.
Here is the place this door. You
have no further need of me. A man and
his wife are best alone when they have a
story to tell"
Joseph Yates went home again. CT
shall be discharged, of course" he said
to Bessie "Peter Gale would never
forgive such thing. It's a hard winter,
but | can't think Heaven will let us
starve."
He went down to the counting.ho
Monday and took his place at the desk
Peter Gale came and laid the check on
his book without saying a word. He
had changed greatly since Friday night,
looked older and broken, and fearful, as
if suspicious that everyone he met would
pass judgment upon him.
Yates" he said at night, "stop
awhile, will you? That was my wife
and my Child-mv little bow" he added