Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1896-12-10
she inherited all her aunt's money; and

ms she had already accepted me, we were
married q twelvemonth afterward. She
had been awfully lonely, she said, since
Miss York's death, but no couple had
ever lived happier and been nearer and
dearer to each other than Ella and /.
May God bless her!'
"Amen!" said l, solemnly and rever.
emily.
ELLA and l." pursued Jim, "could
never give the remotest guess as to her
aunt's objection to our engagement, and
1t would probably have remained nlys-
terry to me, as it has to Ella even now,
had it not been for the following cir
cumstunces: Some time ago l was sent
for at the prison to see q rather des-
perate character, whose end was very
near. He had been sent to seven years.
penal servitude some three years before
for forgery, and after serving two years
ut Portland had been transferred to
Lowmarket. His appearance was SUI
perior to that of the ordinary convict.
even when forger. Although 1 had
SSNh iilhi SCNSiul anu CCIlulllY
been struck with his face and appear.
nnce, we could not be said to be friendly,
as he had been indifferent to all my ed-
vances.
II found him lying in the hospital,
and I soon saw that he would not live
very long.
"'You seem pleased to see me?'
said.
"'Yes, SIR replied No. 152. 4 am
glad you've come; hardly expected
you would, considering how stand.
offish I've been. But l wanted to soe
you, as the doctor says I'm not likely to
last much longer-perhaps not until to-
morrow
There, well, never mind. Keep your
courage up, and you'll probably deceive
the DOCTOR
81 talked to him about his soul and
spiritual things. That we may pass by,
Howson; 1 believe ne was thoroughly
penitent. asked him il there was any
thing could do for him.
"'Yes, sir, there is one thing, II you
will. It's such q curious one hardly
like to ask you His eyes looked eager
ly at me.
$50 on, said I; I'll do it If possible
Tive had queer life, SIR said the
convict. 4 might have been somebody
and done some good; but / got led
astray after marriage and broke the
heart Of my wife, who died soon after
ward. Yes, I've led a bad life, and it's
precious few friends I've had lately,
anyhow. But l hope l may be forgiven,
as you say God will pardon even the
worst Of us. And If you'll promise me
to do one thing when I'm dead, shall
die happy
"I'll promise it as far us can, said L
What is itT
"Its to take care of your wife, an.
swered No. 152. Ah,' said he, smiling,
Il thought that would astonish YOU
"Take care of my wife!' gazed at
him in amazement. why, Of course
shall! But what is that 10 your
ga great DEAL said he.
"WhyT
"'Because she's-my daughter!'
II looked at him in terror and aston
ishment, and was about to send for the
nurse and for the doctor, feeling sure
he was rambling, when he said, slowly:
Sit down, sir, please; can't talk
much longer You need not send for
Dr na1-ton. Tn, oil ,.;<rLt foo.oJ IL
would give you shock, sir, as it gave
me one the first time / saw her here
with you. Ella York-you see, know
her name all right-was taken when
quite child by her aunt, who disowned
me, and never told the child what her
father was. In that she was quite right.
She changed her name from Wilson to
her mothers name of York and COM
pleted the disguise. Whenever I de-
sired-and, oh, sir, did often desire
to see Ella, my darling, Miss York has
always threatened me with the police,
and knew better than to have them on
my track II could help it. Yes, sir,
see you can't realize it yet, but you'll
find Ella Wilson's birth and baptism in
the registers of Northfeld, and l give
you my word it's true
81 sat in dumb silence. What could
say? Ella, my Ella, convict's daugh-
ter!
"'Please, sir, don't tell her. said he.
She has never known; don't let her
know. But felt must tell you, sir,
and you'll not think any worse of herr?
and his eyes looked pleadingly and visit
fully at me.
my senses had somewhat returned.
"'No,' said I, of course not. lam half
dazed, but feel what you say is true.
But Ella is my own now, and always
shall be while live. I wish had not
heard this, but it cannot alter my love
for Ella
"Thank God!' he said. And, sir,
there's one thing more. The doctor
says shall sleep myself away. Do you
think it could be managed for my dar.
ling to give me one kiss ere l die-just
one?
"Tll try. Yes said I, she shall, II
you'll leave II to me-
"T will! God bless you, Mr.. Bourn.'
II left him. When got home Ella
thought I was ill, and indeed was.
Overwork, 1 pleaded. In another hour
they came to tell me he was asleep, and
would not wake in this world.
"I took Ella with me to the hospital.
Ella said I, "a prisoner who is dying,
and who has no-few-friends told me
to-day how he had seen you and would
like you to kiss him ere he died, as his
own daughter would have done. VIII
your
Certainly, my darling
"And with eyes full of tears she did.
The unconscious form rose, the eyelids
half opened, the face smiled. She didn't
know; did he?