St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1896-12-12

l 1cS1os uOW SOus uulcS0 y Ou euOUIU nave
such . blow, which I hope you never
will. But am bound to say that my
one thought was: My poor, lonely
darling, Ella!'
| There were no more details TO he
learned about Miss York's death. She
was buried in Lowmarket churchyard.
Ella was i'll for weeks, and could not sre
even me. When she was well enough
to attend to business. it was found that
she inherited all her aunt's money; and
as she had already accepted me, we were
married > twelvemonth afterward. She
had been awfully lonely, she said. sirce
Miss York's death. but no couple had
ever lived happier and been nearer aud
dearer to each other than Ella ana !.
May God bless her!"
"Amen!" said I, solemnly and rever-
emily.
ELLA and l." pursued Jim, "cou.1
never give the remotest guess as TO her
aunt's objection to our engagement. and
it would probably have remained mys-
terry to me. as it has 10 Ella even now,
had it not been for the following cir
L Suuot0uNNSs COkuC O11nO OkV \ I" "0S SC0S
for at the prison to see 4 rather des-
perate character, whose end waS very.
near. He had been sent to seven years
penal servitude some three years before
for forgery, and after serving two years
at Portland had been transferred to
Lowmarket. His appearance was su-
perior to that of the ordinary cohvict,
even when q 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 ad-
vances.
II found him lying in the hospital,
and soon saw that he would not live
| very long.
"'You seem pleased to see mer I
said.
"'Yes, SIR replied No. 1872, Il am
glad you've come; I hardly expected
you would, considering how stand
offish I've been. But I wanted 10 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'!l probably deceive
the doctor
II talked to him about his soul apd
spiritual things. That we may pses BY,
Howson; / believe ne was roughly
penitent. 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 I 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 q queer life, SIR said the
convict. i might have been somebody
and done some good; but I got led
astray after marriage and broke the
heart of my wife, who died soon after
ward. Yes, I've led bad life, and it's
precious few friends I've had lately,
anyhow. But I 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
"sTn promise it as far as can,' said I. |
What is it?'
"'It's to take care of your wife, an
swcred No. 152. 'Ah,' said he, smiling.
L thought that would astonish YOU
"'Take care of my wife!' gszcd at
him in amazement. why, of course
shall! But what is that TO you?
"a great DEAL said he.
"'Wky?'
because she's-my daughter!'
II looked at him in terror and ast<n.
ishment, aud was about to send for the
nurse and for the doctor, feeling sure
he was rambling. when he said, slowly:
"'Sit down. sir. please; can't talk
much longer. You need not send for
DR.. Darton; I'm all right. l feared it
would give you a shock, sir, as 1t gave
me one the first time I 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 |
plcted the disguise. Whenever I de-
sired-snd, oh, sir, did often desire
to see Ella. my darling, Miss York has
always threatened me with the police, |
and knew better than to have them on |
my track il could help it. Yes, sir,
see you can't realize it vet, but you'll |
And Ella Wilson's birth and baptism in |
the registers Of Mortified, and give
you my word it's true
Il sat in dumb silence. What could
say: Ella, my Ella, convict's daugh- |
teri
Please, sir, don't tell her. said he. |
She has never known; don't let her |
know. But felt must tell you, sir. |
and you'n not think any worse Of her?
and his eyes looked pleadingly and visit
fully at me.
''My senses had somewhat returned. |
"'No, said /, of course rot. lam half |
dazed, but I feel what you ray is true.
But Ella is my own now. and always |
shall he while live. wish had not |
heard this, but it cannot alter my love |
for Ella
Thank God!' he said. And. sir.
there's one thing more. The doctor |
rays 1 shall sleep myself away. Do you
think il could be managed for my dar-
ling to give me one kiss ere ! die-just |
one?'
"T'll try. Yes said I, she shall. il
you'll leave it to me-
~ will! God bless you, Mr.. Bourn.'
Il left him. When / got home Ella |
thought I was i'll. and indeed I was.
Overwork, pleaded. In another hour |
they came to tell me he was aslecn. and |
would not wake in this world.
II took Ella with me to the hospital. |
Ella said !. a prisoner who is dying,
and who has no-few-friends, told me
to-day how he had seen you and would |
like you to kiss him ere he died, as his |
own daughter would have done. Will
you?
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 |
lxnsvr. lid heD