The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-04-08

spiritual things. That we may pass by,
Howson. bolieve he was thoroughly
penitent asked him II there was any
thing / could do for him.
ayes, sir, there Is one thing, II you will.
It's such curious ono, hardly like to
ask you His eyes looked eagerly at me,
"'Go on, said /. IN do 1t, II possible.
"'I've had queer life, sir said the
convict 4 might have been somebody
and done some good, but got led astray
after my marriage and broke the heart of
my wife, who died soon afterward. Yes,
I've led a bad life, and it's precious few
friends l'yo Ind lately anyhow, but hope
/ may be forgiven, US you say God Will
pardon even the worst OF us. And If you'll
promise mo to do one thing when I'm dead
shall die happy
I'm promise as far as l can, said l.
What is it"
"'It's to take care of your wifer an
swerod No 152. All, said he, smiling, Il
thought that would astonish your
"'Take care of my wifol' l eazcd at
him In amazement Why of course |
shall! But what is that to your
IA great deal, said he.
"'Whyr
Z" Because she's-my daughter"
Il looked at him In terror and astonish-
ment and was about to call tho nurse and
send for the doctor, feeling sure he was
rambling, when ho said slowly:
"'Sit down, sir, please. 1 can't talk
much longer. You need not send for Dir,
Darton. I'm all right. l feared it would
give you q shock, sir, as it gave mo one
the first time l saw her horo with you.
Ella York-you see know her name all
right-was taken when quito child by
her aunt, who disowned me and never
told the child what her father was. In
that she was quito right. She changed her
name from Wilton to hor mothers name
of York and completed the disguise.
Whenever desired-Rnd, oh, sir, did Of
ten dcsire-to SEQ Ella, my darling, Miss
York always threatened me with the po-
lice, and l knew better than to have them
on my track, If l could help 1t. Yes, sir,
i see you can't realize 1t yet, but you II
find Ella Wilton's birth and baptism in
the registers ut NorthGeld, and give you
my word It's true.
II sat in dumb silence. What could
say? Ella, my Ella, a conyict's daughterl
- Please, sir, don't telthcr, said he
She never has known. Don't let her
know But felt must tell you, sir, and
you'll not think any worse of her, and
his eyes looked plendingly and wistfully
at me.
My senses had somewhat returned
"'No,' said /, of course not. am half
dazed. but ! feel what You say is true.
But Ella Is my own now and always shall
be while live. l wish had not heard
this but it cannot alter my love for Ella
THANK God he said And, sir,
there's ono thing The doctor says shall
sleep myself away. Do you think it could
be managed for my darling to give mo one
kiss ere die, just onep
I'm try, Yes, said I, she shall, II
you'll leave 1t to me. ."...
~ will! God bless you, Mr.. Bourn.'
II left him When / got home, Ella
thought was ILL., and indeed Twas, Over.
work, pleaded In another hour they
came to tell mo he was asleep and would
not awake In this world
Il took Ella with me to the hospital.
Ella said l. "A prisoner who is dying
and has no-fcw-fricnds told me today
how he had seen you and would like you
to kiss him ere he died, as his own daugh-
ter would have done. Win your
Certainly, darling.
'And with eyes full of tears, she did.
Tho unconscious form half rose; the eye.
lids half opened; tho face smiled. She
ddn6 know Did heY
II led her away, weeping, my own
heart full. aftcrward verified his story.
But ella has never known any more,
Howson, and mover will. There is some
times a secret which should not be shared
between husband and wife, Howson, ism 3
tberef'
You're right, dear old Jim,' snid 1 as
he graspcd my hand in silence, but with
tear dimIncd eyes. You're right old fcl-
low, and God bless you both!"-London
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