The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1897-01-20

Il
learned about Miss York's death. She
was buried in Lowmarket churchyard.
Ella was i'll for weeks, and could not
see even me. When she was well
enough to attend to business, it was
found that she inherited all her sunt's
money; and as she had already accept
ed me, we were married a twelvemonth
afterward. She had been awfully lone
ly, she said, since Miss York's death,
but no couple had ever lived happier
and been nearer and dearer to each
other than Ella and |. May God bless
herr'
"Amen" said I, solemnly and rever-
emily.
ELLA and l." pursued Jim, ''could
never give the remotest guess as to her
aunt's objection to our engagement,
and it woul6 probably have remained
mystery to me, as it has to Ella even
now, had it not been for the following
circumstances: Some time ago | was
sent for at the prison to see rather
desperate 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 trans
ferred 10 Lowmarket. His appearance
was superior to that of the ordinary
convict, even when "A forger. Although
| had seen him several times and GER
tainly been struck with his face and
appearance, we could not be said TO be
friendly, as he had been Indifferent to
all my advances.
'I found him lying in the hospital,
and l soon saw that he would not live
very long.
"'You seem pleased to see me?' /
said,
"'Yes, sir replied No. l52. Il am
glad you've come; | hardly expected
you would, considering how standoffish
I've been. But L wanted to see you,
as the doctor says Pm not likely to
last much longer-perhaps not until
Tomorrow
"'There, well, never mind. Keep
your courage up, and you'll probably
deceive the doctor
al talked TO him about his soul and
spiritual things. That We may pass
by, Howson; believe he was thorough
ly penitent. asked him If there was
anything l could do for him.
"'Yes, sir, there is one thing, IT, you
will. It's such curious one | hardly
like to ask you His eyes looked Ca
gerly at me.
AGO on, said 1; 'Pn do it If posi-
ble.'
"'Tve had queer life, sir, said the
convict. Il might have been some
body and done some good; but 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 late
ly, anyhow. But hope | may be for
given, as you say God will pardon even
the worst of us. And if you'll prom
ise me to do one thing when I'm dead,
1 shall die happy.
"'Tll promise it as far as / can,'
said /. what is ito
"Ifs to take care of your wife, an
swered No. 152. 'Ah,' said he smiling,
Il thought that would astonish you
"'Take care of my wifer / gazed at
him in amazement. Why, of course I
shall. But what is that TO you?'
"'A great DEAL" said he.
"'Why?'
"'Because she's-my daughterr
al looked at him in terror and as
tonishment, and was about to send for
the nurse and for the doctor, feeling
sure he was rambling, when ne said,
slowly:
"'Sit down, sir, please; | can't talk
much longer. You need not send for
DIR. Darton; I'm all right. / feared it
would give you shock, sir, a il gave
me one the FIRST time | saw her here
with you. Ella York-you see know
her name all right-was taken when
quite child by her aunt, who disown-
ed 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 completed the disguise. When
ever desired-and, oh, sir, did often
desire-:o see Ella, my darling, Miss
York has always threatened me with
police, and knew better than to have
them on my track if | could help it.
Yes, sir, see you can't realize it yet,
but you'll find Ella Wilson's birth and
baptism in the registers of Eorthfield,
and give you my word it's true
al sat in dumb silence. What could
1 say? Ella, my Ella, convict's
daughter.
"'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 pleadiDgly and
wistfully at me.
"My senses had somewhat returned.
"'No,' said |, 'of course not. l am
half dazed, but feel what you say is
true. But Ella is my own now, and
always shall be while | live. wish /
had not heard this, but it can not alter
my love for Ella
"'Thank Godr 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 my dar-
ling to give me one kiss ere / die-just
one?'
"'rll try. Yes said 1, she shall, if
you'll leave it to me-
AZ will, God bless you, Mr.. Bourn.'
81 left him. When got home Ella
thought / was i'll, and indeed l was.
Overwork, pleaded. In another hour
they came TO tell me he was asleep, an d
would not wake in this world.
'I took Ella with me to the hospital.
Ella said I, "A prisoner who is dying,
and who has no-few-friends. told ma
to-day how he had seen you and would
like you TO kiss him ere he died, ss his
own daughter would have done. Will
you?'
Certainly, nv darling