Backstreet Child (70 page)
Authors: Harry Bowling
Tony and Rachel glanced at each other with puzzled looks as the sister reached down into a drawer and took out a large white envelope.
‘I can make a room available to you if you would care to read it here,’ she said smiling.
‘That would be very nice, thank you,’ Tony replied.
The young people were shown into a small room furnished with two chairs and a small table. A large crucifix hung on the wall and there was a picture of Jesus walking among children on the opposite wall.
‘Take all the time you need and if you ring that bell when you’re ready to leave, I’ll come to see you out,’ the sister told them.
In the cool and quiet small room Tony opened the letter and read aloud.
My time on this earth is drawing to a close and I leave it with no regrets because I will be going to a far nicer place. You, young man, will have time enough to serve in this world and the fact that you are reading this letter means that you have a good mind. Money is meant for good, but in the hands of the wrong people it corrupts. I know because I’ve seen it happen in my long stay with the Galloway family as their housekeeper. The inheritance is yours but you have a choice to make.
When your mother, Mary O’Reilly, gave birth to a son, she was attended by my very dear friend Kathy Ryan. At the same time I was attending a poor young thing at her delivery in the very same street. Sad to say, the girl died giving birth. My friend and I met in that gloomy street that evening and I found out that Mary O’Reilly was delivered of a stillborn baby. She was very poorly and was sleeping, unaware that she had lost her child. Here we had two human lives that could be brought together, and for our sins we will have to answer in heaven. That evening Kathy Ryan and I decided that we would take the responsibility upon our heads. You, Tony, were taken from the young waif who bore you and placed beside Mary O’Reilly. She never knew other than that you were her child and she loved you dearly. So you see, you are not a Galloway.
I have lived with my sin all these years, as did Kathy until she returned to the Lord two years ago. I kept the secret for your mother’s sake, but now things have changed. You have the choice as I have already said: to take the money and keep a silence, or renounce it, and with it the Galloway name. I will not try to influence you, but remember that money can and does corrupt.
My good wishes to you and yours. And may the good Lord always hold you in his providence.
Yours from the hereafter,
Nora Flynne.
The sunlight filtering through the high window fell on the table and the open letter where Tony had dropped it.
‘The choice is yours,’ Rachel said, looking at him intently.
‘I always liked the name O’Reilly,’ Tony said, grinning widely.
‘So do I,’ Rachel replied.
Tony pressed the bell and when the sister came into the room he smiled at her. ‘I’ll need ter find a job,’ he told her.
She smiled back at him. ‘I think you’ll both be blessed,’ she said.
In the bright sunshine the lovers held hands as they walked home to Bacon Street.
‘I feel happy,’ Tony said, still grinning.
‘So do I,’ Rachel told him, adding with a laugh, ‘I know someone else whose cup’ll be overflowing, too – when we tell’er.’
Table of Contents
Table of Contents