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

I mo acquaintance, no one upon whom
| l could call for add
| A 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
so to the man whom she had laughed at?
! This 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 it!''
The deep rending cough was followed
by weary moan. She put on her hat
and gloves and the front door closed he
hind her.
% or older and graver, sat as his
desk in his inner office. A quiet light of
exultation was in his eyes. but he was
impassive. His bookkeeper had shown
him a trial balance. The sheet lay before
him. He glanced at it and half sighed
A uniformed boy handed him card.
Il do not know the lady, he remark
ed unconsciously aloud, but show her
in 80
A moment later he rose with eagerly
.-..~,,neu hand. Recognition was in
jtant. If twenty years had passed he
NO 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, II
have come to you a broken impoverish-
ed woman. Without a dollar in the
world or a friend to whom / can APP
peal, I 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. / 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.
II know" she murmured.
Patton turned and unlocked drawer
For an instant his eye met hers and his
hand trembled In every vein pulsed
some new and strange delight, which has
did not understand, nor try to under-
stand
His voice sounded repressed 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 I have longed often to show
you. You would have known of 1t long
ago if l could have reached you.
knew that you were alive because 1 felt
that you We're alive, but l could not find
in what part of earth you had buried
yourself. This is a memorandum of a
large sum loaned to me by your father
when 1 left his employ. He sympathized(
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, !.
lie said to me, that my daughter VIII
need your assistance. If that time CONFESS
aid her.
This sum has grown largely. 1t has
grown as fast as my own fortune. You
are now credited with s225. 900. I will draw
my personal check in your favor and
then 1 will drive you to the bank"
She sank into chair and looked att
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.t
II was not Of the money that she wasS
thinking.
Half an hour later they entered the
shabby rooms.
john she called clearly. Dear
John. 7 have brought a friendtv
There was no answer. She stepped
hurriedly to the rear room. The blue-
veined lids down-pressed. one skeleton
srm 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