Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-11-21

/ x1N 4 IN L IA LA " j 4 AXO L l.
Eagerly every line of the tragedy wa
read, the sweat standing in great bead
upon James Bernard's face.
"Shsbby weedsl" he muttered, "s
widow, starvingl"
Then in his heart arose Q great cry,
breaking through the stern repression
of years.
'Delphine. my girl, my treasure p
He could read no more. Only that
one pitiful record could he see upon
the whole broad printed sheet, and the
yearning bitterness OF his heart would
not be stilled.
II must be sure" he thought, at
length. IL hope Della will not see
this. Shall see? No, my face would
betray me. I will not see her until I
can tell her it is not our child. Or"
What? He would consider no fur.
ther, but put on his overcoat and hat,
and hurried out into the bleak
November air. II was Thanksglv.
ing Day, and the city wore its holiday
air.
Stores were closed, and groups were
going to and fro with the expression
expected pleasure brings upon faces
worn with the worlds cares.
The butchers carts ratified about
noisily and hurriedly, that turkeys
might be delivered in time to secure
longer holiday for the carriers.
Children with ''going to grsndma's"
legibly printed on their faces skipped
Lightly 1RtEoay aver n0aeosa tas sad s6s
dressed old man who strobe rapidly in
the direction of the city hospital. for
getting carriages, horse cars, every
thing but the necessity Of satisfying
that dreadful doubt in his heart.
Now he sickened for fear this des-
perate wretch was his child; now he
prayed it might be, that he could
claim her for his own again.
"Here-yes, SIR" said the phvsi-
clan, IN answer to his inquiries; civ.
ing? oh, yes, she'll get over it; needs
food as much as anything. Oan you
zee herr Oertainly-Sarah," calling
a nurse. "take this gentleman to 90
pauper ward"
"39-pauper," lay upon a cot
that was scrupulously clean, perfectly
comfortable, yet sent chill to James
Bernard's heart.
Her babe, lovely boy OF some six
months, pale, but with large, dark
eyes full OF intelligence, was seated be.
side her, and the mothers eyes rested
upon his face mournfully, but without
any delirious fire.
James Bernard staggered back
little, and the nurse whispered:
"She's quite herself this morning,
though she will tell us nothing OF her.
self. Shall I speak to her ?"
"No, IL will speak to her."
The voice was hoarse, choked, but
the woman upon the bed heard II, and
looked up.
Many cry Of anguish, of dying
agony, of piteous appeal had rung
through that "pauper ward" but
never one of more passionate entreaty
than the one word, "Fatheri" I" that
burst from the lips OF the woman
snatohed from death by q policeman's
rough grasp not twenty -four hours be-
fore.
The morning was dragging wearily
along in the room where every luxury
wealth could command was hesped
about Mrs. Bernard's invalid lounge.
Trembling with excitement, mingled
Hope and fear, the mother watched the
hands Of the olook travel slowly over
the face. Again and again Jane had
gone to the library, only to return to
make the same report.
"He's not come il yet, ma am"
1t was past noon when the long
strained patience gave way.
"Jane you must 60 to the hospital.
| shall die in this agony Of doubt.
You can see it-if-this is . stranger,
and-if not-oh, Jane. surely-surely
her father will forgive her now"
As il in answer to the CRY James
Bernard at this moment entered the
room. Upon his face there waa q
strange solemnity, and not seeming to
see the auivering lips, the implofing
eyes lifted to his face, he kissed his
wife tenderly.
"Delia," he said, gently. "did you
read the newspaper this morning?"
eyes, James-I-"
"You saw, perhaps. paragraph de.
scribing the attempted suicide of q
woman-named-"
"Delphinel James, you read itP
James-James you will see il it can be
our child. James, you will forgive
her nowi"
And the poor, helpless figure writhed
as if the poor mother would have
thrown herself at her husbands feet.
"You thought-too, he said huskily.
Eyes, yes, Jane Was going to go,
but nov you will CO. You will see IL
our darling, our Delphine, has been
driven to such mad misery as to try
and take the life We cherished 20 ten.
derly. James, you will goi"
'Delia, you must try to be oalm,"
cried ner husband, frightened ct the
terrible agitation, so much more pitt.
full from her inability to move. except
above her waist. II was awful to see
the white. thin fingers twisting and
working. the pale face 20 agonised.
Literally afraid to tell biz Ndipsa