The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1897-06-03


The hue and cry being raised, and q
reward offered, u few days later the
fugitive was arrestt d. Tried and
convicted In due course, Digby Fordyce
was sentenced to seven years penal
servitude.
Maj jor Armistead rented u small
house, almost a cottage, on the out
skirts Of the town of Tunbridge Wells,
and there Norah lived with her boy.
Only twenty-three, she had biddeu
good-bye to the world; instead of
thousands year, her income consis ted
OF but few hundreds, and the s. not
her own.
Yot she was not entirely unhappy.
| Compelled by her altered circum-
stances to devote herself to the child,
ne soon afforded u now interest in her
life. She watched his developing in
telltgence, and listened for his earliest
lisping utterances. Tue day he first
stood alone was a red-letter day. Her
father became Eric's guide, philosopher
and friend AMI Liter was fought a
battle royal to decide who should teach
him to read. Major Armistead took
MS defeat so much to heart that Nurah
magnanimously gave way, and woulu
slt always work ing, sometimes laugh
ing, at others half crying, to observe
the impatient mans patience.
So for time Norahs life won't
smoothly on. At first the change was
appalling she missed tho excitement,
the admiration, to which she had be-
come accustomed since her marriage.
She had not friend left, and when
peoplt called upon her, in ignorance OF
her history, she was always mot at
home"
Whom Eric was more than commonly
Wlnsome, Major Armistead always said
the same:
" Pity his father was scouudrel."
Ana Moran never demurred. 1t was
the simple truth.
Eric was now six years old, tall, thin,
delicate, with his fathers handsome
features and black hair.
~ hope to goodness Dgby won't be-
gin to poster us,' cried Ma jor Armi-
stead one evening. He was an old
man low and inclined 10 peevishness
Norah looked up quickly.
1t isu't seven years"
They don't serve their full time If
they behave themselves. In prison
Dighy would behave himself"
IL will no. trouble us, father"
anything. He may think you will take
him back"
" shall never do that" she replied
g After what passed between us he
knows ] shall mol"
hope not, Norah. ! hope not, for
Eric's sake. Is that Ecic cOug hing 2"
he asked presently.
Alter listening attent:vely for d few
moments NJrah laid aside her work
and ran upstairs, where he still slept
beside her own bed. The child WAS
tevcrish. Next day a doctor was called
in, and now began a period OF intense
anxiety, till one night the end seemed
imminen'.
Major Armist,ad did not undress a,
regular intervals he looked into The
room. and Norah shook her head de,
,pondently. When the morning sun
orokc through the clouds 1T tc,.
o'clock, all the blinds in the littl., house.
we're drawn down, and the light had
gone OUT oi Moran lie.
lew days later she stood with her
father-white-h haired anu bowed now
beside the open grave. The gray
clouds hung low, and the October wind
blew chill across tie cemetery.
Htnceforth she spent many hours
there, always alone, since the dis
lance was too great for Major Armi-
s.eAd to walk. She always pictured
self asleep, as she often used to watch
him.
= should like to put up a handsome
tOmb,' said the old man. at isn't
much, bat it's all [ can do for the little
chap. feel must do .omething"
IF we could make some other
children happy" Norah suggested.
That is what | should like to enlow
\ cot In q children's hospital"
Nj jor Armistead entered into the
scheme with immense enthusiasm.
"Of course" lie said presently,
you must remember that you won't
nave much to live on when | am gone,
DEAR
That does not matter" she an.
swcrcd. Nothing Of that kind mat
ters now. Nothing matters in an
empty world. There is nothing left TO
live for
:" will write to Ormond street and
.nqniro ho" much it would cost" said
NJ ,Jor Armistead. We will cal! it
Eric's cot"
Two days later, going to the came-
terry in the afternoon. N Jrah came t, a
udden standstill Il fow yards from tn.
grave; then hiding herself behind
some hcadstunes, watched the shabby
looking man who stood bare headed at
it's foot In spite Of his black beard
and moustachc, in spite of his white.
hageard, dissipa.ed face, she recogniz
| ii him on the instant.
Alter standing there few minutes
| ne covered his face with his hands. anu
tre.entIy, stepping, broke off one Of
the faded il1wcrs from the solitary
ross Norah had placed there.
| Having stayed until he went away
| he also leIL the ccmst.ry, but on
reaching home slid nothing TO her
| father. All the rest Of the afternoon
she busted herself in various ways, her
| father glnncing at her from time t.,
''"'. W 'ndrring what transformed and
| .nu.nincd her face.
Despite her troubles, she was a
! beautiful woman. Her igure had
developed, and albeit sad and grave.
her face had retained all its former
charm. Tonight it seemed to Major