The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1902-12-28

you were wearing a sun bonnet, Gabrie
borrowed one and wore It"
/ II don't see how You can remember
It." said Gabriel laughing and blushing
well. I don't see how in the world ]
could forget it." DR. Darlington re-
sponded
When the carriage reached the house
Margaret Bridalbin was standing at the
| gate.
rs this DR.. Darlington? Well. you are
to go up at once. I don't know how my
dearest isl dread to know. Oh, am
sure you will do what you can"
You may make your mind easy on
that score, my dear, said DR.. Dorring-
ton. laying his hand lightly on her
shoulder. There was something helpful
and hopeful In the very tone of his voice.
''This is my daughter Man." he added.
Margaret turned to Nan, who was lag
ging behind somewhat shyly VIII you
please come in?-you and Gabriel Tolli-
yer. 1t is very lonely here, and every
thing Is so still and quiet. My name Is
Margaret Bridalbin,' she said She took
Mans hand and looked into her eyes as
IL searching for sympathy. And she
must have found it there, for she drew
Nan toward her and kissed her
They went into the dim parlor, and Nan
and Margaret sat with their arms en-
twined around each other.
DR.. Darlington came downstairs pres
emily. your mother is very much better
than she was awhile ago." he said to
Margaret "She never should have made
SO long a journey. She has wasted in
that way strength enough to have kept
her alive for six months.
Il begged and implored her not to un-
dertake it," the daughter explained, but
nothing would move her. Even when she
needed nourishing food, she refused to
buy it, she was saving it to bring her
home"
well, she's here now, and we'll do the
best we can. Gabriel will you run over
and ask Fanny Tomlin to come?And If
Neighbor Tomlin is there tell him 1 want
to see him on some important business.
It was very clear to Gabriel from all
this that there was small hope for the
poor lady above.
Pulaski Tomlin and his sister responded
to the summons at once; and with Ga
briefs grandmother holding her hand,
the poor lady had an interview with Pu-
laski Tomlin. But she never saw his
face. nor he hers. The large screen was
carried upstairs from the dining room,
and placed in front of the bed, and near
the door chair was placed for Pulaski
Tomlin 1t was the hearts desire of the
dying lady that Neighbor Tomlin should
become the guardian of her daughter. He
was deeply affected when told of her
wishes, but before consenting to accept
the responsibility, he asked to see the
daughter, and went to the parlor, where
she was sitting with Nan and Gabriel.
This is Margaret" he said, taking the
girls hand Come into the light, my
dear, where you may see me as 1 am.
Your mother has expressed a wish that
-1a1, orffa or n
old and very dear friend of mine she has
the right to make the request, but first
1 must have your consent"
They went into the hallway, which was
flooded with light. Are you the Mr..
Tomlin of whom 1 have heard my mother
speak?" Margaret asked, fixing her clear
eyes on his face and when he had an
swered in the affirmative-"I wonder
that she asked you. after what she has
told me. She certainly had no claim on
YOU"
"Ah, my dear, that is where you are
wrong" he insisted. 81 feel that every
one in the world has claims on me, espe-
cially those who were my friends in old
tines
At this moment. Nan, who knew by
heart all the little tricks of friendship
and affection. left Margaret and took her
stand by Neighbor Tomlins side. 1t was
an endorsement that the other could not
withstand. She followed Nan, and said
very firmly and earnestly, ut shall be as
my mother wishes"
He went up stairs very slowly, as IL
lost in thought. He went to the room and
stood leaning against the framework of
the door. Pulaski is here" said Miss
Fanny, who had been waiting to an
nounce his return.
you remember, Pulaski the invalid
began, that once when you were Ill, you
would not permit me to see you. l was
SO ignorant that 1 was angry; yes, and
bitter; my vanity was wounded And
was ignorant and bitter for many years.
I never knew until eighteen months ago
why I was not permitted to see you.
knew 1t one day, after l had been i'll a
long time. l looked in the mirrow and
saw my wasted face and hollow eyes.
Pulaski, everything would have been diff
ferent. I have come all this terrible
journey to ask you to take my daughter
and care for her. 1t is my last wish that
you should be her guardian and protector.
Is she in the room? Can she hear what
am about to say?"
mo, Margaret" replied Pulaski Tom
lin, in a voice that was tremulous and
husky. "She is downstairs; l have just
seen her.
''Well, she has no father. according to
my way of thinking" Margaret Bridal
bin went on. Her father is deserter
from the Confederate army. She doesn't
know that; I tried to tell her, but my
heart failed me. Neither does she know
that 1 have been divorced from him.
These things you can tell her when the
occasion arises 1 simply could not tell
her."
Il shall try to carry out your wishes,
Margaret" said Pulaski Tomlin; 1 shall
do all that you desire. She shall be to me
a most sacred charge"
At signal from Pulaski Tomlin, Judge
Odem cleared his throat and read the
document that he had drawn up. Every
thing was arranged as she desired; every
wish that she expressed had been carried
out and then, as If there was nothing
else to be done, the poor lady closed her
eyes with a sigh and opened them no
more in this world. 1t seemed that moth
ing had sustained her but the hope of
placing her daughter in charge of Pulaski
Tomlin.