Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-02-01

An OUT Is lt-lS IL eNeEE IL tuer6
were not germ of good in him, would
he have come to the grsveP You don't
know that the cot at the hospital will
actually save a 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
I should not make the effort?"
Major Armistesd leaned forward and
kissed her forehead. For his own
part, he sincerely hoped she would
never see her husband again, and yet
he no more liked to interfere than he
would have done with her performance
of some religious rite in which he
could not participate.
For several days Norah walked to
the cemetery at tho 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 man whose nervous
strength is sapped.
"Norah!"
Instinctively his right hand went up
to his cloth cap, as he stepped few
feet away. They stood ono 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, Nornh."
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'"
~ came in the hope of seeing you.
/ had no right to put myself in your
way-but I am leaving England. I
have fallen very low"
He threw out his hands. "You see
what I am. The first time I came
simply to look on the spot where the
boy lay. saw you had put my name.
Eric" he read from the hesdstone,
"dearly beloved son Of Digby and
Norah-"
II hesitated," she admitted. 81
hesitated, till was looking for a text.
Then thought it ought to be there.
Where-where are You going?"
"Heaven knows. I neither know
nor care. What does it matter? Look
at me. Do you think I can sink
lower?"
"You can rise higher, Digby. Is it
ever too late?"
"Oh," he cried, 81 dare say you are
right. Sometimes I feel l have it in
me. 1t is memory that throws me
back. Norah, you don't know what
the utter desolation of it liz. Alb, !
know; you have lost your child, and
he had a scamp for father; but you
don't know the curse of being your
own accuser. On all the earth there
is not a human being who cares wheth.
er go under or how soon"
eyes," she said; "there is one who
cares"
He stared at her for few moments,
then leaned eagerly forward across the
evergreens.
"What-what do you mean?" he
muttered.
Norah held out her right hand.
"Digby." she said, II will bury the
past, and if you will let me, will do
my best to help you in the future"
"Do you mean you will come-come
away with me?"
"For Eric's sake, she sal l, quietly.
The caretaker of the cemetery
stopped to look at the poorly clad
man, beside the grave, and Norah
standing with her hand on his
shoulder.
At first Djgby shrank from facing
Major Armistead; but she nerved him
to this as to much besides. Norah
had found once more purpose in
life, while Eric's father began new
career that day. And career which
went far to make atonement for the
past. Household Words.