The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-10-08
Our Daily $bort Story

as soon as can and help you to finish the work" '
 Don't hurry. Nellie there's not much to oo and can easily finish 1t by myself"
 There was striking contrast between
 the mother and daughter. Mrs. Pratt was very frail and delicate in appearance. and the pale lace and emaciated form, together with the constant hacking cough, all
 showed too plainly that terrible disease had made sad fnroads upon her strength
 and that the spark of life burned feebIy
 within her.
 Nellie. only sixteen years of age with
 bright blue eyes and dark. auburn hair.
 was the very picture of health anL youth
 fui vigor The girl stopped and kissed
 her mother tenderly. and then ran. lightly
 down the stairs. Mrs. Pratt sighed as the sound of the retreatinE footsteps died away; she we'll knew her true condition
 and wondered what would become of the girl when she gone.
 It was very humble home they had,
 1t was true. but still 1t was q shelter Wearily the poor woman began to sew but
 somehow she did not make much progress: her mind was too much occupied with the possibilities the future had in store for her child.
 Her meditations were interrupted by
 knock at the door. Mrs. Pratt called, "come in"
 The door was pushed open and two men entered the room. The younger man in quired politely if Mrs. Pratt lived there, and upon receiving an affirmative reply, said. permit me to introduce MT. Charles Darnall."
 At the mention of the name Mrs. p.att started violently and a slight cry escapad her. but with a supreme effort she regaiped her composure and asked quietly what Mir. Darnall wished
 You my brothers wife," replied Charles Darnali Rraveiy There was an estrangement between you and him: he left you and you sought an interview My
 brother died two days after your last letter to him was written. What caused his death?"
 You have a right to know all" return ed Mrs Pratt calmly. there was not even a tremor in her voice. but first close and lock the door to prevent any intrusion" Darnall did and she continued. "John Darnall and I were married in May. 1s--; he was much older than l. and very jealous of any one who showed me the slightest l attention. I had a brother. Vernon. of whose existence my husband never knew. Vernon had led a wild. reckless life and had brought diserace upon. his family, finally leaving the country. few months after my marriage my brother returned,
 and came to me. telling me a pitiful
 tale of suffering and privation. I gave him
 al the money l had and he promised to do
 better. As hS was leaving. he stooped and
 kissed me. declaring I was the best sister
 any fellow ever had. My husband was
 approaching the house my brother left.
 and saw the carass shall never forget
 the look upon his face; for a moment he
 looked at and then without word.
 although I called to him. he walked away and returned few weeks later my child was born. and when I was suffi- ciently strong. wrote to my husband and
 begged for an interview. He paid at tention to my letter. and I wrote again. and not hearing from him went to him. -.- ..- ..-
 He received me coldly. and would not heed my attempts at an exclamation. us ing such bitter harsh words that. frenzied
 with rage at his unjust insinuations. struck him with all my might. It was not
 a hard blow. but he staggered and ripped over a chair. falling to the floor. striking his head he did turned. hardly conscious of what I was doing. and fled from the house. The next day learned of his death and also that you were accused of the murder. I attended your trial and had you been convicted. would have estab- lished your innocence. You were acquitted. however, and I kept silent. I had hoped to keep my secret long as lived. but now you know all do not plead for mercy for myself: I have but few weeks
 to live. and will be before the great I'dge before human justice could reach me. but I ask you for the sake of the child. his child. that you withhold all knowledge of this awful affair from the world To d.
 vulge it would only bring grief and suffer ing to the child, and deprived Of mothers care, what would become of her under such a shadow?" Darnalrs face showed plainly the signs