The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1909-07-01


wards, where little knots of wizened. de-
crepit old men covered in their sad-col-
ored garments over the fire, they at last
reached a 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" rejoned Mary, she can
scarcely have changed so much in this
brief time that l can have any difficulty
in recognizing him.
ooh. dear no - interrupted Poly; amy
body who has seen him of ate years
would know him in 4 moment. Best let
Miss Chichester judge for herself. Thorn
as"
Mr.. Matto1. thus adjured. threw onrn
the door without further remark. and one
glance round the room suffced 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
wrink es; 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.
II suppose he talks at times inquired
Ringwood 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-
sionally 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 well be
| forehand. we should not at this present
moment have an idea who he was"
Twill you speak to him, Miss Chi
chester?" said Ringwood.
Mary crossed the room quickly. and
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 at
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 your
arms-the young mishtress' as you used
TO call me. you must remember Miss
Mary"
The old mans face became slightly
troubled for the first time his lips moved,
and he muttered Miss Mary" in a low.
far-av ny voice; bat it was evident that
he in no wise connected the name with
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. at is
naturally sad for you TO find an old SER
want in this state, but his physical health
is apparently satisfactory. In a business
point of view, his having forgotten rhe
past is, as far as you are concerned. of no
consequence. i think now, as soon as I
have written a couple of cheques for these
ladies in Acknowledgements of their SER
vices. we must thank Mr.. and Mrs. Mat
tox for their hospitality, and make the
best of our way to the railway station
Terence Finnigan was heard 10 MUIR
muir Miss Mary" in a dazed sort of way
to himself twice or thrice as they were
leaving the ward. He seemed as if vainly
striving to recall somebody in connection
with that Name but clearly did not con-
meet it with Miss Chichester
You tell me, Mr. Ringwood," said
Mary, as she found herself once more in
the train on her way TO town, that /
come into what for me is something con-
siderable simply from the fact of that
poor old man being alive. L trust it
is enough to enable me to take care of
Terence comfortably for the future"
Ample" rejoined her companion. I'VE
really do not know exactly how much at
present, but it is certainly more than
sufficient for that purpose
And now, Mr.. Ringwood, | wish you
would answer me one other question; and
that is, in what way, pray, have / of
Tended your"
You offend me - he replied what
can have put that into your head?"
Then why do you not ever come and
see me now?" inquired Mary curtly II
have not SO many friends but what l can
recollect those who have striven to com
fort me in my trouble"
Il do not think you can fairly accuse
me of neglect on that point" returned the
barrister. ''but first, one hesitated TO in
trude upon your grief; then you have
taken refuge in the Victoria Road
AT Mr. Ringwood's suggestion" in
terpos,d Mary quietly; "and | am very
much obliged TO you for discovering so
comfortable home for me-"
II deserve no credit for that. Miss Chi
chester. Carbuckle mentioned your wish
to mo; | happened to know, through Jack
Phillimore, of his cousins contemplated
marriage, and thought perhaps you would
not mind passing a few months with Mrs.
Lyme Wregis, whom Jack declared to be
the most charming old lady that ever
breathed. Jack Phillimore is as good
hearted a fellow as ever stepped. Ie is
a man. Miss Chichester. if you under
stand what l mean by that, and likely,
l should say, to make his mark in his
profession if he ever gets the chance. His
cousin has dealt very hardly with him.
and he is terribly cut up at the idea of
the approaching marriage. How any girl
could throw over Jack Philimore for Peg
ram beats me-"
Il have never met girl that | took
greater fancy to than Beatrice Phillimore.
| have known her. it is true, but a short
time; still ! cannot think she would be
swayed solely by wealth in her choice of
husband. Even if she had given me
her confidence | could not let you into
the secret; but she certainly shrinks from
any ailusion to her wedding in a way
that augurs i'll for its being happy one"
"Good-by. Miss Chichester" said Ring
wood as he shook hands after putting
her into the cam. "Should Miss Philli-
more take you into her confidence. you
can tel her that it is very improbable
that her wedding with Mr. Robert Peg
ram viii ever take place"
(To be continued.)