The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1896-02-26


and presently, stopping, broke off one
of the faded flowers from the solitary
cross Norah had placed there.
Having stayed until he went away,
she also left the cemetery, but on
reaching home said nothing to her
father. All the rest of the afternoon
she busted herself in various ways,
her father glancing at her from time
to time, wondering what transformed
and illumined her face.
Despite her troubles, she was a
beautiful woman. Her figure had de-
veloped, and albeit sad and grave, her
face had retained all its former charm.
Tonight it seemed to Major Armistead
like the face OF an angel.
At o'clock the postmdn brought q
letter, but when he would have brokon
the seal she came to his chair, resting
a hand on his arm.
From the hospital, Norab."
Father" she said, "I-1 have
thought of another way"
"Well, let us see"
II saw Digby this morning." she
faltered.
"Ab, know the scoundrel wouldn't I
leave us alone!" cried Major Armis-
tead.
"He did not see me. He was stand.
ing by the grave. Before he went
away he stopped aud-and broke off a
piece of stephanotis. He is in very
low water"
'He deserves to bel"
Eyes, he deserves to be. But II
am afraid he is sinking lower. He
looks utterly broken-degraded. He
can have no hope in life-nothing to
help him upward"
'iNorah |" her father exclaimed,
"you're not going to play the fool
You know you don't love the man"
"I Il don't know. Since Eric's
death feel differently about many
things. 1 am not certain about my
SELF see what he has fallen to, but
he is still young an-clever-oh,
might there not be some chance for
him if. But l doubt my own
strength. / am not sure 1 can do it.
AS 1 watched him at the grave the
thought flashed upon me. We talk OF
memorial for Eric Could anything
be better than to save Eric's father,
body and soulT'
'Too late, Norah, my dear; toe
late -
"Ah but is it's it ever? II there
we're not germ of good in him, would
he have come to the grave? You don't
know that the cot at the hospital will
actually save child's life, yet you
would endow it. So with Digby. He
has fallen very, very low; he may be
incurable, but is that any reason why
1 should not make the effortP"
Major Armistead leaned forward and
kissed her forehead. For his own
part, he sincerely hoped she would
never see her husband again, aud yet
he no more liked to interfere than he
would have done with her performance
of some religious rite i'll which he
could not participate.
For several days Norah walked to
the cemetery at the same hour, but it
was not till few days before Christ.
mas that she saw Digby again. AS he
stood lost In thought at the foot of the
grave she drew near.
"Digbyl"
He started like a man whose nervous
strength is sapped.
"Norah |"
Instinctively his right hand went ur
to his cloth cap, as he stepped a few
feet away. They stood one on each
side of the grave, which was now hid
den by young evergreens and plants.
"You have been here BEFORE" she
said, hardly knowing what to say.
''I did not intend to come again.
saw the announcement of the boys
death. Tell me of him, Norah."
Across the grave she gave him in
formation concerning Eric's short life
and last days, AMI then she asked;
"Why-why did you come to-day
Digby?"
al came in the hope of seeing you.
l had no right to put myself in your
way-but I am leaving England.
have fallen very low"
He threw out his hands. "You see
what am. The first time l came
simply to look on the spot where the
boy lay. saw you had put my name.
Eric" he read from the headstone,
clearly beloved son of Digby and
Norah-"
'I hesitated," she admitted. 90
hesitated, till was looking fora text.
Then l thought it ought to be there
Where-where are You going?"
"Heaven knows. l neither know
nor care. What does it matter? Lool
at me. Do you think 1 can sini
lower?'
"You can rise higher, Digby. Is il
ever too late?"
"Oh, he cried, al dare say you are
right. Sometimes l feel l have it il
me. 1t is memory that throws IN,
back. Norah. you don't know wha
the utter desolation of it is. Ah,
know; you have lost your child. ant
he had a scamp for a father; but yor
don't know the curse of being your
own accuser. On all the earth ther,
is not human being who cares wheth
er go under or how soon"
"Yes," she said; "there is one who
cares"
He stared at her for few moments
then leaned eagerly forward across thu
evergreens.
"What-what do you mean?" ht
muttered.
Norah held out her right hand.
HDiQby." " she said "I will bury thI