The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-10-15
signs upon his features of his African

signs upon his features of his African
descent.
THAT is John Heborn. of Atlanta" said
the lady, land a nobler man never
walked the earth. l cut myself off from
my race in order to wed him, but never
once while he lived did / for an instance
regret it. 1t was our misfortune that our
only child took after his people rather
than mine. 1t is often so in such matches,
and little Lucy is darkerSfar than even
her father was. But darker or fair, she
Is my own dear little grille, and her
mothers pet The little creature ran
across at the words and nestled up
against the lady's dress. when l left
her in America" she continued, sit was
only because her health was weak, and
the change might have done her harm.
She was given to the care of a faithful
Scotch woman who had once been our
servant Never for an instant did
dream of disownng her as my child. But
when chance threw you in my way, Jack,
l learned to love you, feared to tell you
about my child. God forgive me, I feared
that I should lose you and I had not
the courage to tell you I had to choose
between you and in my weakness
turned away from my little girl. For
three years I have kept her existence
secret from you. but | heard from the
nurse, and I knew that all was well with
her. At last, however. there came an
overwhelming desire to see the child
once more I struggled against It, but
in vain. Though I knew the danger,
determined to have the child over, II 1t
were but for a few weeks. l sent hun
bred pounds to the nurse. and I gave
her instructions about this cottage, so
that she might come as a neighbor, with
out my appearing to be In any way con-
nected with her. I pushed my precau-
ae n n II a
child in the house during the daytime,
and to cover up her little face and hands
so that even those who might see her at
the window. should not gossip about
there being a black child in the neighbor-
hood. If / had been less cautious l might
have been more wise, but l was
half crazy with fear that you should
learn the truth.
1T was you who told me first that the
cottage was occupied. | should have wait
ed for the morning. but I could not sleep
for excitement, and so at last 1 slipped
out, knowing how difficult II is to awaken
you. But you saw me go, and that was
the beginning of my troubles. Next day
you had my secret at your mercy but
you nobly refraned from pursuing your
advantage. Three days later, however.
the nurse and child only just escaped
from the back door as you rushed in at
the front one. And now tonight you at
last Know ALL ana L ask you what is 10
become of us, my child and me?" She
clasped her hands and waited for an
answer.
1t was long ten minutes before Grant
Munro broke the silence, and when his
answer came it was one of which love
to think.
He lifted the little child. kissed her. and
then, still carrying her, he held his other
hand out to his wife and turned towards
the door.
1--WE can talk it over more comfortably
at home" he said. II am not a very
good man. Efhe, but think l am a bet
ter one than you have given me credit
for being"
Holmes and I followed them down the
lane and my friend plucked at my sleeve
as we came out
II think said he, I'VE shall be of more
use in London than in Norbury.''
Not another word did he say of the
case until late that night. when ne was
turning away with his lighted candle for
his bedroom
watson said he, IF 1t should ever
strike you that l am getting a little
over-confident in my powers, or giving
less pains to a case than It deserves,
kindly whisper 'Norbury' In my ear, and
ahau be Infinitely Obliged to YOU"