The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-11-27

near. He had been sent to seven wears,
penal servitude some three years before
for forgery, and after serving two wears
ut Portland had been transferred to
Lowmarket. His appearance was SUI.
perior to that of the ordinary convict.
even when. a forger. Although / had
seen him several times and certainly
been struck with his face and appear
ance, we could not be said to be friendly.
as he had been Indifferent to all nv adj
Vances.
Il found him lying in the hospital,
ind soon saw that he would not live
very long.
You seem pleased to see me% l
said.
"'Yes, SIR replied No. 152. 4 am
glad you've come; hardly expected
you would, considering how stand
offish I've been. But 1 wanted to see
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; | believe ne was thoroughly
penitent. l asked him if there was any
thing | could do for him.
eyes, sir, there is one thing, if you
will. It's such a curious one | hardly
like to ask YOU His eyes looked eager
ly at me.
go on said 1; 'I'll do it if possible
I've had Il queer life, SIR said the
convict. 4 might have been somebody
and done some good; but l 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 | hope 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
"T'lI promise il as far as cam said l.
What is ito
Its to take care of your WIFE al
swered No. l52 All said he, smiling,
i thought that would astonish you
flake care of my wife!' gazed st
him in Armament. Why. of course ]
shalt Bat what IS that TO your
"a great deal eaid he.
"'Whv?'
"'Hecause shp's-my daughter!'
81 looked at him in terror and aston
ishmeat. and was about TO send for the
nurse and for the doctor, feeling sure
he was r-:f.h!;r", when he said, slowly:
"'S:t down. sir. please; | can't talk
much longer. You need not send for
DR.. barton; I'm all right | feared it
would give you shock sir as it gave
me one the first time l 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 l de-
sired-and, oh, sir, 1 did often desire
to see Ella. my darling. Miss York has
always threa tened me with the police,
and knew better than to have them on
my track if I could help it. Yes, sir, I
see you can't realize it yet, but you'll
find Ella Wilson's birth and baptism in
the registers of Northfield. and | give
you my word it's true
81 sat in dumb silence. What could
say? Ella. my Ella, a convict's daugh-
ter!
"'Please, sir, don't tell her. said he.
She has never known; don't let her
know. But l felt must tell you, sir,
L. hnr
and his eyes looked pleadingly and visit
fully at me.
"My senses had somewhat returned.
"'No,' said /, 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. l wish had not
heard this. but it cannot alter my love
for Ella
"'Thank Godi' 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 die-just
one?'
"Tll try. Yes said l, she shall. If
you'll leave it to me-
"T will! God bless you, Mr.. Bourn.
''I left him. When I got home Ella
thought l was i'll, and indeed was
Overwork, 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 observation-disclosures, tod me-
to-day how he had seen you and won'':
like YOU to kiss him ere he died. as his
own daughter would have done. Wii'
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?
81 led her. away, weeping, my own
heart full. I aftenward verified his
story. But Ella has never known any
more. Howson, and never will. There is
sometimes a secret which should not
he shared between husband and wife
Howson, isn't there?"
you're right, dear old jim said l.
as he grasped my hand in silence, but
with tear-dimmed eyes. "You're rig,nt,
old fellow. and God bless you bofhi' -
birmingham Weekly News.