The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1895-09-12
FORK. what could her objection really

means enough, as you know. AS for
Miss York, well, Of course, it would be
lonely without Ella at first. after so
many years companionship, but sure
ly, she didn't expect her never to get
married! 1t was preposteHous.
II was destined not to know her OBJ
lection. AS l approached the lodge the
FORTRESS met me- "
"'Oh, Mr.. Rourn. this is shocking!'
III was more puzzled than ever Why
my engagement to Ella should be
shocking l couldn't see, and l no
doubt expressed it in my looks.
so sudden, too, sir! said the wo-
man. Nobody expected it!
Whatever's the matter?' said I.
Why, haven't you heard that Miss
York is dead? No? Oh, dear! Poor
thing! Had a fit in the night, doc.&"r
says; was quite unconscious when
Miss ELLA got there, and died at 8
o'clock this morning.
My heart sank. I felt faint and
glddy. 1t was some minutes before I
could move. You will never know how
1t feels, Howson, unless you have such
a blow, which l hope you never will.
But l am bound to say my one
thought was, My poor, lonely, dar-
ling Ella"
There were no more details to be
learned about Miss York's death. She
was buried in Lowmarket church
yard. Ella was i'll for weeks, and
could not see even me. When she was
we'll enough to attend to business, it
was found that she Inherited all her
aunt's money, and. as she had already
accepted me- we were married a
twelvemonth afterward. She had
been awfully lonely, she said, since
Miss Iork's death, but no couple have
ever lived happier and been nearer
and dearer to each other than Ella
and /. May God bless herr
"Amen.' said I, SOlamnly, and rever-
emily
ELLA and l." pursued Jim, ':could
never give the remotest guess as to
her aunt's objection to our engage
ment, and it would probably have re-
manned q mystery to me. as it has to
ELLA. even now, had it not been for the
following circumstances: Some time
ago l was sent for at the prison to see
a rather desperate character. whose
end was very near. He had been sent
been sent to seven years penal servi-
tude some three years before, for forg-
cry. and after serving two years at
Portland had been sent to Lowmar-
ket. His appearance was superior to
that of the ordinary convict even
when forger. Although I had seen
him several times and certainly been
struck with his face and appearance,
we could not be said to he friendly, as
he had been Indifferent to all my adj
vances.
Il found him lying in the hospital.
and l soon saw that lie would not live
very long,
"'Hou seem pleased to see me?'
said.
Eyes, Sir replied No. 152. "'I'nl
glad you've come. I hardly expected
you would, considering how standoff-
ish I've been. But I wanted to see
you. as the doctor says I'm not likely
TO last much longer-perhaps not until
Tomorrow
"'There, we'll, never mind! Keep
your courage up, and you'll probably
deceive the DOCTOR
Il talked to him about, his soul, and
spiritual things. That we may pass
by, Howson. l believe he was thor
oughtly penitent. I asked him if there
was anything I could do for him.
Yes. sir, there is one thing, if you
| will. It's such curious one I hardly
like to ask you His eyes looked
eagerly at me.
"'Go on said I; I'll do it, if posi-
BILE %
"I've had queer life, sir Said the
convict. I might have been some
body and done some good, but l got
led astray after my marriage, and
broke the heart of my wife, who died
soon afterward. Yes, I've led bad
life, and it's precious few friends I've
| had lately, anyhow, but I hope l may
! be forgiven, as you say God will par
don even the worst of us. And as
you'll promise Inc to do one thing
| when l am dead, I shall die happy
III promise us far as l cam said
I. What is it,
It's to, take care Of your wife, an
swcred No. 1872, smiling. I thought
that would astonish your
Take care Of my wife! ] saz'sl at
him in amazement. Why, Of course !
shall! But what is that to you?'
"A great deal said he.
"'Why?
Because she's-my daughter!
Il looked at him in terror and aston
ishment, and was about to call the
nurse and send for the doctor. feel ing
sure he was rambling. when he said
slowly:
"'Sit down, sir, please I can't talk
much longer. You need not send fo1
Dr. barton. I'm all right feared il
would give you shock, sir, as it gave
me one the first time I saw her here
with you. Ella York-you see, I slow
her name all right-was taken when
quite child, by her aunt, who dis
owned me, and never told the child
what her father was In that she was
quite right. She changed her name
from Wilton 10 her mothers name OF
York, and completed the disguise
Whenever I desired-and, oh, sir, die
often desirc-to see Ella, my darling
Miss York always threatened me with
the police, and knew better than tc
have them on my track, if L could hell
it. Yes sir, see you can't realize il
yet, but you'll find Ella tNilton's brit
and baptism in the registers at North
field, and l give you my word it's
true
81 sat in dumb silence. What coul(
say. ELLA, my Ella, convict's
daughter!
"'PloaSo sir don't tp11 her: said no