The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-04-16

one would hardly recognize in the notion
less figure Lord Henry, OF !yerness Court.
Disease had ravaged his handsome face
and bowed the staIwart form. Before the
fire, in low chair, was seated a young
woman, dressed in plain, closely fitting
black dress and white cap and apron
evidently the nurse. She, too, sat motion
less and one could see by the dim light that
her face was pale. yet beautiful Her hair
was covered by her cap, so that one could
not tell the color of it; but to judge from
the straight, level brows and the long, dark
lashes that shaded her eyes, she was bru-
nette rather than blonde. The two were
alone In the room, the man stretched out
on the bed and the silent figure by the fire.
Presently Lord Henry stirred lightly;
Mercy" he murmured family, Mercy"
The girl started, and rising. went to the
bedside. "Yes, my Lord" she said.
Water" he answered, in low tone.
She raised him in her strong arms and gave
him what he desired and laid him back on
the pillows.
He opened his eyes and laid his hand on
hers. Sit down." he WHISPERED. She
obeyed, and he went on " want to talk
to you. Mercy. No, it will not hurt me;
am near my end, and nothing can do will
something for yon to do You are good
girl, Mercy; when all others forsook me you
came to me like an angel, and have stood by
me all through, even to the end. Mercy, L
have son. an only son, and he-he too for
sock me; left for you the place that should
have been his. Oh. how loved that boy. He
was such brave handsome fellow! L idol
lied him, | worshiped him; l would have
given my life for his, UNTIL by foolish act,
he cut himself apart from me, severed with
ruthless hand every tie that bound us.
dis mother died when he first saw the light,
and | was mother and father both to him.
l did all in my power, | gave up everything
to him. Tell me, Mercy, girl, did he not
owe me something's
Everything, everything" answered the
nurse, much affected by the old Lords
emotion. HE should have been a good
son 10 YOU"
AYE. he was a good son." Lord Henry
continued. always a good son and low
ing. A little wild at college, perhaps; but
he comes of wild race. The only thing I
ever demanded of him he refused. He left
me, deserted me, and all for a woman. My
son married beneath him, Mercy, and it
was a terrible blow to me. never saw the
girl, but heard from others that she was
an adventures. Eighty and bold-a prac-
liced cOquette. Was this fitting wife for
my son? l refused him a home here if he
persisted in bringing the woman. He left
me in a fit of rage and have not seen him
since. The morning he left l was taken
with the smallpox. Servants child, all de-
sert me, except you, my dear Sister of
Mercy With no thought of your youth
and beauty you nursed me back to life, or
tried to- 1t Is the same to me- What 1
want you to do is this. See my son and
give him this message: Tell him that his
fathers curse rests on him and his forever,
If he daTes to bring that woman to lverDess
Court He is the last of line of noble
men and stately DANES They would rise
in horror from their graves if they knew of
the blot he has brought upon their name.
forgive him; but that woman, Jezebel,
daughter of Heth, never"
Mercy's head dropped, as if her gentle
spirit withered under these scalding words.
You will tell him." he went on hoarsely.
ut Is my last command. If he disobeys 1t,
may misfortune, death, aye, worse than
death, dishonor, follow him and his for
everh'
Father" it was an angry voice which
spoke and Gordon lyerness strobe into the
room and up to the bed, not taking notice
of Mercy, who sat like one turned to stone.
Take that back %
At the sound of his voice Mercy rose and
came between them. Laying one hand on
his arm she pointed with the other to his
fathers face. Speak lower" she said.
He is almost gone"
Gordon did not pay any attention to the
nurse, he did not even look at her and she
glided back into the shadow by the bed.
But he started as he saw the CHASTITY face on
the pillow, and lowered his voice as he went
on. My wife, if ever l find her, shall be
Lady Ada of lverness Court when | reign
here as Lord. l am not afraid of your curse.
Have l nothing to forgive? Have | not lost
my Ada through you? will never forgive
y0u, never"
Then the nurse sprang up with low cry.
Gordon, she exclaimed falling on her
knees and throwing her arms around him
take that back; oh, take that back. On
my knees / beSeeCh you, If you would not
ruin both our lives forever"
Her cap fell off and her hair rolled in a
pale glory far below her knees.
- da nv wife ~ crial Cordap
would have caught her in his-aTmS, but she
slipped from him, anu kneeling beside the
oed seized Lord Henry's hand. My Lord,
my Lord" she cried wildly. tell me
that you forgive me. You said that you
would forgive him, but never me. l did
trouble IN your house. | thought nothing
of his high station, but | loved him. Oh,
my Lord. be merciful. Recall that dreadful
curse! l would have loved you dearly ;
been daughter to you. Now | only ask
forgiveness. Do not refuse it to me, or
shall die" and her head sank on his hand.
Tell me, he said. regarding the beauti-
ful kneeling figure and bowed head; how
came you to risk your life and beauty for
me, man who hated you?"
Il received the note you sent Gordon
while he was away, and l thought if
| could help you you would forgive us both.
| So left a note for Gordon, telling him
where was and begging him not to follow
unless L sent for him." she answered, SIM
! ply.
II never got that note" said Gordon,
! quickly.
"And now" she said, turning to Lord
Henry, You forgive me?'
AYE" he returned, feebly, forgive and
bless you both. my daughter" Tears
rushed to her eyes. And Gordon, toe? 2"
she went ON pleadingly, holding out her
hand to her husband, who took it and knelt
beside her. Yes, and Gordon, too re-
! piled Lord Henry; may-you-be-
! blessed-all-your---" but his hand fell
heavily on Ada's head, and with peaceful
smile on his pale lips he fell back on his
| pllIoW-dead. BEATRICE B. DE LUNA.
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