Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1909-06-10

an old servant of her family's, for whom
they have been long in search but now
he is discovered, why does he not come
to her, instead of her having to tear down
to Portsmouth to see him?'
1T must, of course, seem odd to you
but this man Finnigan stands in some
what peculiar position to Miss Chichester.
She has doubtless told you that he was
by her fathers side when he fell on the
terrible field of Gettysburg, and that he
has carried her many time, when a
child in his arms. But what she could
not tell you is, that Finnigan is so IN
firm in health, and has so failed in his
mental powers, that coming to her Is
impossible. Further, there is necessity
for proving the old mans identity, as
there is a small sum of money coming to
Miss Chichester that depends upon this
Finnigan having been alive at certain
date"
The Journey to Portsmouth Miss Chi
chester found somewhat monotonous. her
companion resolutely refused being any
thing but strictly the man of business. All
the particulars of Finnigan's discovery
he related to her; told her of the state
of health in which she must be prepared
to find the old man. how that they were
to pick up two old servants of her grand
fathers at Guildford-women who had
known Finnigan we'll in former days, and
quite recollected her father, but who had,
of course. never seen her; and also dld
he explain TO her, in purposely CLOUDY
fashion, that she came into small sum
of money on reversion, the inheriting or
which reversion had depended upon Ter
ence Finnigaa's OUTLYING somebody else.
At Guildford they picked up Mrs. Bull
ger and Mrs. Mattox. Upon arrival at
the famous seaport, Mrs. Mattox at once
took command of the party. That BUST
ling matron felt that she was in her own
domain, and that her knowledge OF the
streets was beyond dispute. In a very
short time the party arrived at the door
of the workhouse in St. Mary's Road.
Miss Chichester could not resist a shud-
der as she passed through its unnvitlng
portals.
1T answers to my idea of a gao,' she
whispered to Ringwood. Poor Terence
I shall feel quite uncomfortable until he
is out of this place
Traversing a long, narrow, whitewash-
ed passage, and glancing occasionally on
their way through the half-open doors of
wards, where little knots of wizened, de-
crepit old men covered in their sad-col-
ored garments over the fire, they at last
reached door at which Mr.. Mattox
paused.
This is the ward, sir, in which we
shall find Finnigan Would Miss Chiches-
ter prefer to identify him herself, or shall
my wife point him out to her?'
Surely" rejoined Mary, she can
scarcely have changed so much in this
brief time that l can have any difficulty
in recognizing him.
"Oh, dear no ~ interrupted Polly "any-
body who has seen him of late years
would know him in a moment. Best let
Miss Chichester judge for herself, Thom-
as"
Mr.. Mattox, thus adjured, threw open
the door without further remark, and one
glance round the room sufficed to show
Mary her fathers old servant, sitting very
still in a wooden armchair by the side of
the fire. A slight wiry little man, whose
face, considering his extreme age, was
still wonderfully fresh and free from
wrinkles; the grey hair was thin, no
doubt. but the light blue eyes were still
wondrous bright, although there was an
absent look in them as if for ever peer
ing beyond the grave. upon which their
owner was so rapidly verging.
Il suppose he talks at times" inquired
Rincwood. "although he certainly does
not look like it at present.
NO sir; he rarely says anything. and
sits all day just as you see him, except
when reused up to take his food. Occa-
sonally he will say, in a wandering way,
that he must go to London to see Miss
Mary but who he meant by it we never
understood until to-day"
"And l presume added Ringwood,
that, though you and Mrs. Mattox knew
him before, he takes no notice of YOU
Not the slightest, sir. He has never
been able to give the slightest account of
himself since he came, and if it had not
been that Polly and l knew him we'll be-
forehand. we should not at this present
moment have an idea who he was"
"Wil you speak to him, Miss Chi
CHESTER" said Ringwood.
Mary crossed the room quickly, anC
LAYING her hand lightly on the old mans
shoulder, said:
How do you do, Terence? Don't you
remember Miss Nary"
The old man turned his head towards
her, and some slight signs of surprise al
the fair apparition before him might have
been .discerned but of recognition there
was no symptom.
"Surely, Terence, you have not forgot
ten the child you used to carry in youl
arms-the young mishtress' as you useC
to call me. you must remember Mis-:
Mary"
The old mans face became slightly
troubled for the first time his lips moved
and he muttered Miss Mary" in a low
far-away voice; but it was evident tha
he in no wise connected the name will
the young lady who stood before him.
"Of course you have no doubt what
ever, Miss Chichester, that this Is Ter
ence Finnigan?" said Ringwood. 1T ii
naturally sad for you to find an old ser
want in this state, but his physical healtl
is apparently satisfactory. In a business
point of view, his having forgotten th'
past is, as far as you are concerned, of M
consequence. | think now, as soon as
have written couple of cheques for thes'
ladies in acknowledgment of their ser
vicae we must thank Mr. and Mrs. Mat