Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1896-12-02


month 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 / solennly and reyer-
emily.
celia and l." pursue' Jim, "could
never give the remote g1sss as to her
aunt's objection to o. engagement,
and it would probably hore remained
q mystery to me, as it h. to Ella even
now, had it not been for The following
circumstances. Some time ago was
sent for at the prison to see rather
desperate character, whose end was
very near. He had been sent to seven
years penal servitude some three
years before for forgery, and alter
serving three years at Portland had
been transferred to Lowmsrket. His
appearance was superior to that of the
ordinary convict, even when forger.
Although 1 had seen him several
times, and certainly been struck with
his face and appearance, we could not
be said to be friendly, as he had been
Indifferent to oil my advances. q
''I found him lying in the hospital,
and / soon saw that he would not live
very long.
/" you seem pleased to see me?' I
said.
Yes, sir, replied No. 152, Il am
glad you've come; l hardly expected
you would, considering how stand
offish I've been. But wanted to see
you, as the doctor says I'm not likely
to last much loDger-perhaps not till
tomorrow
There, we'll, never mind. Keep
your courage up, and you'll probably
deceive the doctor.
''I talked to him about his soul and
spiritual things. That we may pass
by, Rowson; believe he was thor
oughly penitent. / 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, 1
hardly like to ask YOU His eyes
looked eagerly at me.
I" Go on, said /: I'll do it if pos.
sible.
Eve had queer life, sir said
the convict. Il might have been
somebody and done some good; but
1 got led astray after marriage, and
broke the heart OF my wife, who died
soon afterward. Yes, I've led bad
life, and its precious few friends I've
had lately anyhow. But I hope I may
be forgiven, as you say God will par.
don even the worst of MS. And If you'll
promise me to do one thing when I'm
dead, shall die happy
"I'll promise as far as I can, said
| i. what is it?'
"It's to take good care OF your
wife, answered No 152. 'Ah, said
he, smiling, Il thought that would
astonish you!'
"eTake care of my wife, I gazed
at him in amazement. 'Wby, of course
I shalli But what is that to you2'
ga great deal, said ne.
"'Whyr
"tBecause she's-my daughterl
81 looked at him in terror and as;
toniahment, and was about to send for
the nurse and for the doctor, feeling
sure he was rambling, when he said
slowly:
"'Sit down, please; I can't talk
much longer. You need not send for
DR.. Darton, Pm all right. l feared it
would give you'a shock, sir, as it gave
me one the first time 1 saw her here
with you. Ella York-you see l know
her name all right-was taken when
quite a 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 Wilson to her mothers name of
York, and completed the disguise.
Whenever 1 desired-and oh, sir, I did
o'ten desire-to see Ella, my darling,
Miss York has always threatened me
with the police, and I knew better
than to have them on my track, If l
could help it. Yes, cir, I see you can't
realize it yet, but you'll find Ella
Wilson's birth and baptism in the
registers OF NorthGeld, and I give
you my word it's true.
al sat in dumb silence. What could
say? Ella. my Ella, o convict'f
daughter
"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
herY and his eyes looked pleadingly
and wistfully at me.
"My senses had somewhat returned.
"'No, said I, 'of course not. I am
half dazed, but I feel what you say is
true. But Ella is ny ow2 now, and
always shall be while live. I wish /
had not heard this, but it cannot alter
my love for Ella.
f1hank God,' he said. 'And, sir,
there's one thing more. The doctor
says ] shall sleep myself away. Dc
you think it could be managed for my
darling to give me one kiss ere 1 die,
just one?'
"Il try. Yes, said I, she shall, il
you'll leave it to me-
"I will! God bless you, Mr..
Bourn.'
81 lett him. When / got home Ellis
thought was i'll, and indeed I was.
Over work, I pleaded. In another
hour they came to tell me he was
asleep, and would not wake in this
world.
81 took Ella with me to the hospital.
ELLA said l, "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.
Will you?'
Certainly, my darling
"And with eyes full of tears she did.
The unconscious form rose, tho eye.
lids half opened, the face smiled. She