Vermont daily transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1868-1870, 1868-08-29

lOllOWCu DN IL tly VI ItI'N.
papa ~ and there came bounding out to
meet him young girl still in her trav-
cling dress. She threw her arms around
his neck. 1t was his daughtcr--thc one
who had been travelling in Europe with
her mother. She smothcrcd him with
kisses, and he carried her, half-fainting
with JOY and amidst her convulsive
sobs, into the parlor, where | followed.
Miss Vandcrwatcr was there, and, see
ing my embarrassment, she came up to
me and told me the particulars of her
sisters unexpected arrival. Her state
ment was interrupted by the father who
started up and asked wildly,
"And your mothcr-where is she?"
"She remains in Europe" answered
his daughter. ooh! papa
"In Europe? Are you sure?"
"Yes, yes but let me tell you all
about it. Oh, papa, do you know, ma
thinks she has found Nellie?"
" Found Nellie " exclaimed the
father.
"Oh, it is so strange! When we were
in Rome early this year, the Consul
there told ma of a lady who had been
privately married to friend of his and
who strangely rescmbled her ; and the
likeness was so remarkable that the
Consul afterwards frequently referred
to it. One day he brought us her photo
graph he told US that her husband had
left Rome for Paris, and he supposed
there was no harm in showing us the
photograph as confirmation of what he
said about the likeness. When he gave
the photograph to mamma, she just
glanced at it and tainted away"
Mr.. Nandcrwatcr stared at his daugh-
ter in amazement
"When she came to, which was in n
few moments, she said to me, TT is your
sister, dear | feel it is my lost baby
The Consul did not know what it all
meant, and l was too much agitatcd to
tell him. When ma was sufficiently
Gained, she told him the story of how
Nellie had been lost in Paris Is years
before, and how all search for her had
been in vain. He at once became inter
csted in the case, and set persons to work
to trace up the gentleman and his wife.
He said the gentleman had strong rea-
sons for keeping the marriage secret
that he wished to conceal Nellie's ante
cedents. Oh, papa, she has been mod
ell for one of the artists in Rome land
amidst her sObs the agitated young girl
went on to explain that the Consul and
Mrs. Nanderwater We're in Paris, en-
deavoring to trace the couple whose
name he would not divulge while she,
the daughter, had been hurried home
to inform her father of the discovery.
Instantly the truth flashed apOn both
our minds-the fathers and mine.
"Quick, quick ~ he said to me. "You
can Acatch them in the coach. Bring
them here Immediately !"
l needed no second bidding. | sprang
into the coach, from which Miss Van
derwater's baggage had by this time
been removed, and after a few words of
direction to the driver | was soon whirl-
inn bao tn No 10,
of Central Park. 1t was only after pass
ing as rapidly as the rules permitted
through the lower part of the Park that
l deserted ShannOn's carriage in the
distance, near the Croton Reservoir, be-
You'd the Ramble. | ordered the coach
man to drive up to it, and Mailing Shan
non, / sprang out of my coach and went
up to his. The lady drew her veil more
closely about her face, and Shannon,
rising in his seat, endeavored to inter
pose his body between her and me.
shannon. l know all )" | said.
"Know all? What do you mean, my
friend?"
LET me talk to you in quiet-you and
your wife," said.
He sat down again-sank back, as it
were, in his seat. l sprang into his
coach and ordered his driver to turn
back. Shannon made no resistance
the lady simply grasped his arm and
asked what it all meant?
81 hardly know, my dear" he said
/" but there is no reason to be alarmed.
confess" he added, turning to me and
smiling, +" am somewhat astonished."
l explained in a few words, so that the
lady might understand as well as he,
and wound up by telling him the suspi
ciOn of Mr.. Vanderwater and myself
that this was the lost Nellie.
On the way to Vanderwater's Nellie
told her history as far as she herself
knew it. Her early life had been spent
in roaming about Europe; her parents
were itenerant organ grinders, who
rOamed about France and Germany and
England. When she was ten years old,
they left her with a wine-grOwer in
Italy, and she had labored in the vine
yard. Subsequently, when older, she
had fled from the harsh treatment which
she had endured in the wine-grOwer's
family, and in her flight she had en-
countered Shannon. He had taken her
to Rome, educated her, and eventually
had married her.
Ishall nOtattempttOd describe the scene
when we entered the house. 1t is inn
possible to paint such painfully pathet-
lie scenes without in some way detract-
ing from their pathos and beauty. The
readers imagination can supply better
description.
The remarkable likeness was not
the only proof of the relationship
which was finally adduced. There
was found in Mrs. Shannon's possession
locket, marked n. ", and containing
portrait of Mrs. Vanderwater at TWEEN
ty, which appeared perfect picture of
Nellie at her present age. The relation
ship was satisfactorily proved; Mrs.
Vanderwater was summoned from
Paris by telegraph and those curious
for proof of the truth of this strange state
mont will find her namn in the LIST of