The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13

"why have you kept from me, es pecially from me. the knowledge of your illness here?" said the chemist with
 a lack of interest that seemed curious
 and dreadful to himself "Mr. Redlaw! You have discovered
 my secretw cried the student. Your
 manner shows me that you know me. Oh, think how innocent I am in every
 thing, except name and descent of par ticipation in the wrong inflicted on you"
 "Wrongl" said Redlaw with harsh
 laugh. Sorrow! What are these to me?"
 The student shrank away from him.
 "For heavens sake, MT. Redlaw," said he, do not let the mere interchange of
 a few words with me alter you like this, sirl Let me pass again from your knowledge and notice! Let me occupy my old distant place among those whom you respect and know me only by the name I have assumed and not by that
 of Longford-" "Longfordw exclaimed Redlaw. His hands went trembling to his temples. For a moment he turned on the student his own intelligent and thoughtful face. Then the light passed from 1t and 1t clouded as before. "The name my mother bears, sir, faltered the student. 'the name she took when she might have taken one | more honored. I am the child of l marriage that has not proved itself happy one. From infancy have heard you spoken of with honor and respect, | with something that was almost rev
 erence. At last a poor student my | self, from whom could learn but you? I have regarded you with indescriba- ble feelings of love and honor from my | obscurity. On, for anything unworthy | in this fraud of mine forgive mel! | Redlaw, unmoved. unchanged, looked
 at him with a staring frown | The student approached as if to touch his hand. He drew back and 1 cried: Don't come any nearer to mel" The young man stopped. Suddenly he
 drew his hand across his brow. "The past is past! said the chemist. l to do with your distempered dreams? I came to offer you money, nothing else." He threw purse on the table. | The student picked it up and held 1 1t out. proudly but not angrily. Take l 1t back sir" said he. T wish you l could take from me with it the remem-
 brance of your words" You dor" asked the chemist eagerly and wildly. You do?" He went close to l him, turned him by the arm and stared | into his face. There is sorrow and ! trouble In sickness, is there not?" con- | tinued he "All best forgotten, are they not?"
 1 The student did not answer, but again he passed his hand over his fore 1 head. Redlaw was still holding him by the sleeve when Mrs. Williams voice
 was heard outside. "I cannot meet her!' said the chemist fercely. Not her! Hide mel" The student pointed to a door, and Red law hurried to conceal himself in the lit 1 tle attic room to which it gave access. "They told me there was a gentleman here. MT. Edmund said Milly, putting l A. little basket on the table. "He has gone" said the student, short l ly.
 1 Milly looked up in surprise at his voice. | She stepped quietly to him and touched ] his forehead.
 Are you quite as well as in the. morn | ing?" asked she. Your head is not as | cool'
 .oTut. tut!" said the student. peulantly. I "Very little ails me. - She loked at him with increasing sur l prise in her kind face. She went noise lessly about the room, setting everything | into the neatest order. After time sho 1 touched the cushions of his couch and ad- | tusted them under his head where he lay, gazing moodily at the fire Leave them alone. pray" said he. You make so much of everything She paused timidly for 8 moment. Then she sat down to sew and began to speak of different matters. Presently she men toned the Tetterbys and said that they had asked about him. "The people downstairs Mrs. Swidger," | said the student cooly. twill be paid in l good time for anything that they have done for me. I am much obliged to you, too."
 Her fingers stopped, and she looked at him. He picked tip book and began to read.
 "Mr Edmund said she, would you rather be alone?' There is no reason why should de- | tain you here," he replied. "Except--" said Milly, hesitating and showing her work.
 l "Oh, the curtainv' he answered with an indifferent glance. That's not worth
 staying for
 She made up the little packet again and put in into her basket. Then she said,
 quietly: