The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-12-31
The Globes Daily Short story

no acquaintance, no one upon whom
L could call for add
complaining whine followed her as
she went out. Once more her eye fell
| upon the paper lying upon the common
table. The black head lines forced them
selves upon her persistently. Could she
go to the man whom she had laughed at?
! his time her cheeks went white and
she shrunk as if to avoid a blow All
Of her old stubborn pride arose and
fought. She shiVered as though in ague
81 cannot do it!'' she whispered IF
my souls salvation were the reward, l
could not do t''
The deep rending cough was followed
by weary moan. She put on her hat
and gloves and the front door closed he
hind her.
g" or older and graver, sat as his
desk in his inner office. A quiet light of
cXultation was in his eyes, but he was
impassive. His bookkeeper had shown
him trial balance. The sheet lay before
him. He glanced at it and half sighed.
A uniformed boy handed him card
II do not know the lady," he remark
ed unconsciously aloud, but show her
in ffy
A moment later he rose with eagerly
~.-.-~,oneu hand. Recognition was in
jtant. If twenty years had passed he
~" known that queenly form,
that patrician, naughty, beautiful face,
the dark eyes, not imperious now, but
softened in the shadows of shame and
suffering.
"Florence-Miss DeVoe-Mrs. Warren
he stammered, then looked down at the
card and was silent
1t was the woman in her that made
her the calmer of the two.
Mr.. Patton, she answered taking the
hand and speaking softly and slowly, Il
have come to you a broken, impoverish-
ed woman. Without a dollar in the
world or a friend to whom l can APP
peal, ask you to forget the past and
aid me. My husband lies in our shabby
rooms, dying of consumption. He is
doomed, and lacks everything which
should lessen his agony. Can you for
get?''
HE has you,'' the man said. II have
remembered but as one whose presump
ton merited more punishment than he
received. l can say that in all of these
years thought of you has been with me
and L have wished you happiness. 1t IS,
not for me now to tell you why, but You
know-you know
Her head was bowed and again the
blush stole over her cheek and brow.
81 know" she murmured
Patton turned and unlocked a drawer.
For an instant his eye met hers and his
hand trembled. In every vein pulsed
some new and strange delight, which hey
did not understand, nor try to under-
stand.
His voice sounded depressed and strain
ed and he ran through some papers and
selected one that was yellow and time
worn
Mrs. Norton" he said, II have here
something | have longed often to show
you. You would have known of it long
ago if l could have reached you.
knew that you were alive because 1 felt
that you were alive. but 1 could not find
in what part of earth you had buried
yourself This is a memorandum of Il
large sum loaned to me by your father
when l left his employ. He sympathiZede
with my foolish hopes. you see. 1t was
not paid to his creditors because they
got all and more than they should have
had. 1t is in memorandum form because
Mr.. DeVoe would not accept my note
of hand
1T may happen some time, Aleck, z
he said to me, that my daughter vii
need your assistance. If that time comes ,s
aid her. =
This sum has grown largely. 1t has
grown as fast as my own fortune. You
are now credited with s225,OOO. I will draw
my personal check in your favor and
then l will drive you to the bank"
She sank into chair and looked ats
him writing His brown hair was Sprin-
killed. with gray and there were lines on
his forehead, but the deep, tender. mas
terful nature of the man showed plainly.s
Ii was not of the money that she wass
thinking.
Half an hour later they entered the
shabby rooms. q
John" she called clearly Dear
John. have brought a friend IT"
There was no answer. She stepped
hurriedly to the rear room. The blue
veined lids down-pressed. one skeleton
ERIN hanging listlessly, John Spencer
Norton was only waste clay. Patton
drew up the sheet reverently, then took
her hands. She bent forward and her
head rested on his shoulder