The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1896-11-25

L 'oho oues Nhft NO hO'Ni bOpo
| till after 10"
Down in the cosy library, where
James Bernard enjoyed the leisure
well earned by years of mercantile
toll, the mornings newspaper had
been opened deliberately, the money
article scanned, the foreign news en-
joyed, and the reader was idly looking
over other columns, when sentence
seemed to spring out of the page be-
fore him, 80 clearly it stood defined
against the mass of print.
"rhe only clew to the identity OF
the would-be suicide is wedding
ring, marked John TO Delphine.
Eagerly every line of the tragedy was
read, the sweat standing in great beads
upon James Bernard's face.
"Shabby weedsi" no muttered, "a
widow, starving u
Then in his heart arose great cry,
breaking through the stern repression
of years.
"Delphine. my girl, my treasure !"
He could read no more. Only that
ono pitiful record could no see upon
the whole broad printed sheet, and the
yearning bitterness of his heart would
not be stilled.
81 must be sure" he thought, ut
length. "I hope Della will not see
this. Shall seep No, my face would
betray me. will not see her until
can toll 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. 1t was Thanksgiv-
ing Day, and the city wore its holiday
air.
Stores we're 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 grandma's"
legibly printed on their faces skipped
lightly over the cold pavements.
Nobody noticed the handsomely
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 sicRened for fear this des-
perate wretch was his child; now he
prayed it might be, that he could
claim her for his own again.
"Hero-.yes, SIR" said the phvsi-
clan, IN answer to his inquiries; "liv-
ing? oh, yes, she'll get over it; needs
food as much as anything. Can you
geo her? Certainly-Sarah," calling
nurse, stake this gentleman to 80
pauper ward"
"39-pauper," lay upon 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 a
little, aud the nurse whispered:
''She's quite herself this morning,
though she will tell us nothing OF her
self. Shall speak to her ?"
"No, II will speak to her,"
The voice was hoarse, choked. but
the woman upon the bed heard it, and
looked up.
Many cry of anguish, of dying
agony, OF piteous appeal had runs
through that "pauper ward" but
never one of more passionate entreaty
than the one word, "Father |" that
burst from the lips of the woman
snatched from death by a 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 heaped
about Mrs. Bernard's invalid lounge.
Trembling with excitement, ming led
hope and fear, the mother watched the
hands OF the clock 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 if-if--this Is . stranger.
and-if not-oh, Jane. surely-surely
her father will forgive her now"
~ 4 in answer TO the ery james