Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-11-25

might have sunk to the floor had not Ste
phcn supported him; but by and by his
senses and his strength came back. and
he turned towards Lillian. and in another
moment he was upon his knees at her
feet, his hands casped. and raised SUPPLE
catingly. His uttcrance was convulsive
nnd chokcd. and the tears poured down
his cheeks like rain.
~! my child. my child. Pardon. par
don. pardon! May the good God have
mercy. and forgive me! u! 1.illian-my
rhild.-can yOu----"
She was upon her knees by his side. her
arms cntwined around his ncck--and she
called him-Father! She saw IL alf--shc
knew II as old stephen knew It. Within
the hour she had heard the story Of his
earlier life-the story Of the terrible ca
lamity that had bcfallcn him--and he had
told her then that he had loved her be-
cause she looked like the sainted wife and
mother!
Father" she cried, clnging to him,
and weeping still, you loved me first,
aud you will love me ever, because I look
like my MOTHER
AT this juncturc Scaton so far gained
control of his scattered senses as to mo-
ton for his sergeant to remove the pris.
oner from the room.
And here we may bid farewell TO Jason
Bittern, alias Jacob Eastcourt. He died
In the Walnut street prison-died after
he had been sentenced to death for the
attempted murder Of Robert Scaton at
Valley Forge. by his two Huron agents.
which crime was clearly proved against
him. II was said that he had lied by
his own hand.
After the removal Of Bittern. our hero,
with Douglas and Stephen, withdrew into
another apartment, where, when he had
gathered his wits, he asked the old ser.
vitor for an explanation. And Wilson
told the story as the earl had told II TO
Lillian.
But" he said. In conclusion, tiny mas.
ter was not responsible for the death Of
Bittern's wife and child. The woman
died Of fever, and her child. just born,
couldn't have possibly lived--so the doc.
tor said"
MY soul!" put in Capt. Roderic Doug.
las, what a hcartless wretch the mar
must be! What vengeance he had plan
nedv'
But" piously added Stephen, "the
good God couldn't have let II succeed. II
was not to be-"
And you had come to look for this
man Bittern year agof" said Seaton
Eyes"
father?"
YES. And have since learned OF his
visit?'
HE left It for you to tell"
And thereupon Robert told the story
Of his fathers last moments.
"You have the swOrtlY" asked Stenhcn.
anxiously.
Yes. 1t Is here. at my side"
"The carl?"
He has not told your"
mo"
Then wait. lie must frst speak. Rest
easy. think see the end clearly now.
But. Il Ii wonderful! wondcrful!'
OF course" said Douglas, addressins
the old man, my presence 10 not neces.
saryT
1T Is not necessary. Captain"
"Then ] will retire. What are your
orders, Majorf'
Good Douglas, leave those who have
charge OF the prisoner, and leave my Or
derby within call. With the remainder of
the command yon will move down toward
the Point, and see what the enemy are
doing. ] suppose the rear guard Is over
by this time. Your own Judgment will
direct you beyond this until Washington
can send force for occupation"
The captain bowed and withdrew, and
shortly afterward Lord Wenlock looked
In and called old Stephen out.
BY and by they both returned--the earl
and his servant-and were seated. His
lordship was pale aud shaken. like one
who was passing through terrible ordeal
not yet at an end.
"Major." he said. when he had com.
posed himself, "Stephen tells me that he
has told to you the story Of my suffering
at the hands Of Jason Bittern--so you
know that Lillian Is my child"
Robert bowed, with heavy weight at
his heart. What had he to do with the
daughter and sole heiress Of an English
; earl?
"rhis story you have heard" pursued
Wenlock, "and now ! have another to
tell you. Pardon me II am brief. At
some future time, when l am stronger,
] may give You more Of detail. Listen,
young man: As You IRE aware, my father
was Peer Of the British realm. He
was Robert Fitzgerald, Earl Of Wen.
IOck. ne uuu tWO sOus, OI Wulcu j W0H
the youngest. Other children had died
In childhood. My brother was named
John Seaton Fitzgerald, and was Lord
FairfOrd. He was ten years older than I.
When my mother died was a boy, way
ward and wild. Upon her deathbed my
brother gave to her solemn promise that
he would shield and protect me while We
both lived. ! was her favorite. After
that pass over ten years-when John
was Extraordinarily, aud ] eighteen-a
thunderbOlt fell upon our house. IL
: God forgive me!-forged check upon my
fathers banker In London for a large
amount-forged my fathers name. John
was then In the metropolis. an officer In
the Life Guard, and living extravagantly
He was suspected OF the forgery. Suspi
ciOn never rested upon me. was my
fathers favOrite, rs had been my moth
er's.
"And there was another thing. John
had loved Sir Richard MOrcton's daugh,
ter, Isabel-had loved her with all the
strength Of his great heart, though she
. was Of my own age. Aud so l loved her
and my love she returned. My brother
, nObly relinquished her to me when he
knew that her heart was mine. and this
led him still deeper into reckless living
i When he knew that the forgery had been
, committed, and that he was suspected, he
came to me. ] confessed to him that
had done the deed. lie went away and
, came back In an hour--came back looking
! pale and old. Allan, said he, IL ! will
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