Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1896-11-05

There were no more details TO he
learned about Miss YOrk's death. She
was buried In Lowmarket churchya-C.
Lilo was III for weeks, and could aot sHe
even me- When she was well enough
10 attend to business, itEyas found tkGt
she inherited all her aupt's money; and
as she had already accepted ne, we were
married a tweIEemonth afterward. She
had been awfully lonely, she said, stree
Miss Horl<'s death, but no couple h5d
ever lived happier and been nearer and
dearer TO each other than Ella and L
May God bless herl"
''Amen!" said /, soIemnIy and reTer
emily.
Ella and l." pursued Jim, could
never give the remotest guess as to beI
aunt's objection TO our engagement, and
it would probably have remained & mys-
terry TO me, as it has 10 Ella even now.
had IL not been for the following cir
cumstances: Some time ago 1 was sent
for at the prison TO see 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 tC
Lowmarket. His appearance was su-
PeriOr TO that of the ordinary convict.
even when a forger. Although 1 had
seen him several times and certainly
been struck with his face and appear
auce. we could not ne said 20 be friendly
as he had been Indifferent 20 all my adj
.aEces.
Il found him lying in the hospital
and soon saw that he would not live
very long.
You seem pleased to see me?' ]
said.
Yes. sir replied No. 152. 4 an
glad you've come; I hardly expected
sou would. considering how stand
offish I've been But I wanted to see
you. as the doctor says I'm not likely tc
last much Ionger-Perhaps not until to-
morrow
There. well, never mind. Keep your
courage up. and you'll probably deceive
the doctor
Il talked to him about his soul and
spiritual things That we may pass by.
Howson; 7 believe ne was thoroughly
peniteut. I asked him If there was any
thing I could do for him.
Yes. sir. there IS one thing. if You
VIII. It's such i curious one I hardly
like to ask you His eyes looked eager
Is at me.
Go on said I: I'll DO it if possible
1--we had queer life, sir said the
convict 4 might have been somebody
and done some good; but I got led
heart OF my wife, who died soon after
ward. Yes, I've led bad life. ard it's
precious few friends I've had lately,
anyhow. But hope I 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, 1 shall
die happy
"'I'Il promise it as far as 1 cam said I.
What IS ito
Its to take care of your wife an
swered No. 1872 All said he, smiling,
I thought that would astOnish you
Take care of my wife, gazed 1T
him in amazement. Why, of course
shall! But what is that TO you?
a great DEAL said he.
"'Why?'
because she's-my daughter!'
81 looked at him in terror and aston
ishment, and 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. I feared it
would give you a shock. sir, as it gave
me one the first time I saw her here
with you. Ella York-you see, l know
her name all right-yvas taken when
quite n 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
pleted the disguise. Whenever I de-
sired-and. oh. sir, did often desire
to see Ella, my darling, Miss York has
always threatened me with the police,
and I knew better than to have them on
my track If 1 could help it. Yes, sir. 1
see you can't realize it yet, but you'll
find Ella Wilson's birth and baptism in
the registers of Mortified, and 1 give
you my word it's true
Il sat in dumb silence. What could
say? Ella, my Ella, convict's daugh-
ter!
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'll not think any worse of her?'
and his eyes looked pleadingly and visit
fully at me.
My senses had somewhat returned
No said I. of course not. lam half
dazed. but feel what you say is true
But Ella is my own now. and always
shall be while l live. I 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
says 1 shall sleep myself away. Do you
think IT could be managed for nv dar-
ling to give me one kiss ere die-iust
one?'
"T1l try. Yes said I, she shall. il
you'll leave il to me-
1 Will! God bless you, Mr.. Bourn.'
II left him. When I got home Ella
thought 1 was i'll. and indeed I was
Overwork, I pleaded. In another hour
they came 10 tell me he was asleep. and
would not wake in this world.
y took Ella with me to the hospital.
Ella said I, a prisoner who is diving.
and who has no-few-frfenfls. told me
to-day how he had seen you and would
like you to kiss him ere he died. as his
r,.yu daua-b for yxDr1f1 haya Jo,a y~:rI