The Democratic advocate., 1884-08-02

see here, Daddy; an she knows slght
about Union Jacks and ensigns. She said
as she'd bring me book with all the coun-
tries in 'em with their flags p
The needlewoman suspended her work a
moment, and rested her pointed chin on
one hand, looking with a sort of wistful
gaze in her eyes toward a Union Jack that
was always suspended behind her sofa.
"She's big flower, that lady she is.
She sorter makes yer lift yer eyes and
snuff up as though she were sweet-smellin'
She's got white skin, with hair all yaller
like gold. 1 feels the better of seein' of
her. Look here, Daddy, what's this writ
in say? She's never tell'd me her name,
but I'm sorter curious. This book be-
longs of her. can spell out of print
book fine and easy, but readin' of writin'
don't somehow come natteral to me. They
letters wi tails and heads they beat me"
Flags made this admission with an ex-
asperated air, givin the book thump of
vindictive feeling.
Daddy took up the work and futtered
the pages back to the fy-leaf, He was
accustomed to be called upon to decipher
letters for the illiterate, but not accustomed
to receive shock at any words that met
his view. The book fell out of the old
mans hands The film of indifference
passed away from his eyes, and he stared
with intensity at Flags. An abject terror
was depicted in his gaze, and violent ague
fit passed over him. He shivered and
trembled audibly.
"Well, old chap, what do it say?" said
the needlewoman, swapping her thread in
her impotence.
"Lily Ruthven," he stammered feebly,
articulating the words between shudders.
80 my God, has she been here-here.
Flags ?"
He looked round at the dark and dirty
dwelling, and yet more vehement fit of
trembling shook his bones.
"Young and fair o no, that can't be
still Why, it's fve-and-twenty years since
she was married.
He clasped his palsied hands and lifted
them, shaking, crying out wildly, 80 Lord!
o Lordr
Flags made flourish with her scissors
as she took them up to snip off thread.
"Why, what's amiss, Daddy? Din't [
tell yer, now, as she's young gal, younger
nor me, and as straight as ships mast,
with eyes shinin better nor gas lamps, and
a voice like the tide running? Mebbe this
aren't her book; b'longs to librery, p'r'aps.
Ill be sure and ask of her next week. Did
you know of some one called by that name?
The girl looked curiously toward her
companion. He too looked at her, but
furtively, with that strangely painful re-
vival of understanding which visited him
between his dissolute days The hours of
soberness were terribly to be feared.
"Ha, ha Me know herl That's fine
guess Don't you mind what say, Flags.
I'm getting old, and talk nonsense some
times. 1t isn't likely, now, that l should
know lady"
Flags worked her eyebrows in dubious
way, shooting lightning glance out of her
yellow eyes toward the STOPPING figure.
Daddy sat on three-legged stool, with his
knees almost in the CRATE. Evidently the
girl did not think it improbable that this
disreputable old mans acquaintance might
once have been of superior status. She
said, after a pause:
'sThings in life know they changes a
bit, Daddy Yer might have know'd lady
wunst. No offence, old chap
CHAPTER III.
For more than week after the last in
terview recorded, Daddy did not come near
the Lamb of Goshen.
1t was the last evening in October that,
finding himself with few pence in his
pockets he crawled to its door. He was
much weaker, and his cough shook his at
tenuated frame more frequently. His poor
old hands trembled necessarily. A Novem-
ber fog, anticipating its birthday, was
spreading its yellow breath over all things
in the Lane.
1t was yet too early in the evening for the
the Lamb to have gathered recruits for the
night, but Daddy, as an old and regular
customer, knew himself privileged to shell
ter at its hearthstone before legitimate
hours. As he pushed open the door he
saw, to his surprise, that Flags was not
solitary. Neither was it Mrs. Doc who
stood in close conversation with the Grip
pied needlewoman Some one in black
gown with long veil hanging behind a
close fitting bonnet had no resemblance to
the female viragos and brawny-armed
wenches who visited in this locality. This
person held small basket in her hand,
and her costume denoted that she belonged
to visiting sisterhood. Daddy had passed
ladies in this guise several times lately,
Sinking out of their way with downcast
mien. Now the miserable creature shuffied
a step backward at the aspect Of stranger
within But the lady heard the footstep,
and turned her head swiftly. After that
movement, Daddy no longer seemed to
have the power to stir. What beautiful
serene young face confronted the tottering
shame-stricken sinner! Divine compassion
and gentleness beamed from it.
"'Tis Daddy said Flags at once.
"Come along in of yer. I've told all about
yer and them shiverin' fits. She is Lily
Ruthven her own self, and you was wrong,
Daddy; she amt never been married"
The old mans eyes were riveted in utter
amazement on the girls face. The Lily
he had known in years gone by, with feat
ures so like this girls, had scorned and
condemned him, turning away from him
with loathing. And yet then he had not
been as he was now, so vile thing past all
redemption. The tender pity for one so
helpless and afflicted that shone in the
strangers clear eyes reached Daddy's un-
derstanding. He fell back against the wall
near the door. With faint smile tremb-
ling about her lips, the lady spoke with
exquisite softness and encouragement.
"Will you not stay moment, and tell
me yourself about your illness? /? Do not
go away"
She paused moment He bent his
head, not looking at her, but listening in-
tently for the sweet low voice.
"Perhaps can give you something to
ease your cough. If you will wear it, |