The Montgomery advertiser., 1904-09-26
Our Daily Sport Story

"A birthmark!" she repeated after him, bending closer; then added: May examine it?"
 Heavens! How her touch thrilled him; the wild throbbing of his heart nearly strangled him-this woman must have some terrible influence over him to affect him thus.
 He saw a flash of feeling In the eyes that looked into his as he unconscious ly attempted to withdraw his hand something that recalled the long for gotten past Wild fancies filled his brain a strange yearning for that that he had once known, but was now buried with the dead past, forced itself upon him. What if-but no! He laughed at the idea, dry, unnatural laugh that brought a frightened look into the wo- mans eyes as she dropped the hand.
 Why do you laugh?" she asked. in the same low tone, gazing first al the strange mark, then into his face. T was thinking of my mo--my child hood" he replied, evasively, avoiding those eyes that were devouring him.
 And can you remember it?" The voice was now clear, but still low. She leaned forward slightly as she waited, apparently breathless, for his answer.
 Now, in the lives of all men there is certain period of their childhood in which transpires. to them, some notable event, never to be forgotten, standing out, as 1t were, in bold relief against somber background of forgotten sur lrourdings. The wreck of the Servia was to Leslie Kanes mind as clear to- day as when it occurred nearly a score | of years before.
 Slowly he told the story describing the awful scenes, picturing the despair on the faces of the doomed people emitting nothing.
 Before him sat the old fortune teller, rigid as a statue. hands tightly clasped, eyes piercing. 1t seemed to him. his very soul-breathless with attention. And when I awoke,' he concluded, | after short pause In the narrative, T was lying on a hard bed in the same l terrible darkness. I lay quite still. for l 1 was frightened, knowing not where I was. It then all came back to mel reached out my hand to find my mother. Hard. cold boards met my touch-I was alone. That I was still on the water I knew, for the boat was pitching fright fully. I cried out my mothers name again and again. but the echo of my own voice was my only answer. I then began crying. and cried myself to sleep to be awakened some time later by a rough hand grasping me and lifting me to the floor. In the course of time we reached London, where I was placed in the care of a "home"-my mother or my father I have never heard from, though I did. years afterward hear that a woman had been picked up at sea alone in a drifting boat but further than that I have never"
 There was that in the woman's eyes that made him pause. She was holding tiny golden key in her hand. In stinctively his own hand sought his breast and drew forth a small heart shaped locket. How vividly he recall ed the last words he had heard his mother speak: Always wear 1t next your heart"
 Leslie Kane sprang to his feet. his whole being trembling with emotion.
 Can 1t be-" A lump rose in his throat and choked him. He knew now he saw 1t all. Pale and trembling he sank back into his chair. his eyes blind ed with tears.
 The woman. to all outward appear ances was calm. She had pictured this meeting in her mind hundreds of times now 1t had come. and. though out wardly calm, the love that welled up in her herat. filling her whole being can be felt only by mother.
 My boy." she said, some hours later, "vou have a duty elsewhere. Humble your pride. ask her forgiveness. that you may not be parted from one you love as have been.
 Yes. mother" he murmured' reVer- ently pressing his lips to her brow.
 Looking back from the door he saw her on her knees, her face and hands raised to Heaven.
 He waited till she had hnlshea, ana with faint Amen" upon his lips he closed the door softly and passed out