Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-11-23

then we received another message, which
you shall see."
He thrust second slip of paper, iden-
tical in shape and appearance with the
first, before the gaze of DR.. Hutton, who
read it aloud:
August Q. 1856. Your Jessie s.in Hpes."
The physician started, as if electrified.
"Ahl This is something definite
something decisive" he muttered. 1t
convinced you that your daughter was
still living"
"Yes, DOCTOR" said Mr.. Preble, "and
every anniversary of that day has brought
US some message. The disappearance of
the child, mysterious as it is, does not
villain who took her away could contrive
to communicate with us every year since,
and always on a particular dsy-the an :
niversary of that on which she was stolen
without our being able to discover who
be is. And still greater wonder to me
is what can be bis motive. 1t seems in
credible. If it was stated in novel
many people would not believe it. But
truth is stranger than fiction.
Mrs. Preble drew from her husbands
breast-pocket his notebook, opened it to
the proper page, and presented it to the
physician.
DR.. Hutton adjusted his spectacles,
glanced over the page, aud then slowly
resd the group of entries aloud. The en-
try the first year is as follows:
"August o, 1855. Jessie. ha, ha! Jessie!"
Aud the next year it is
"August 0, 1855. Your Jessie still iiresi'
And the next
"August o, 1857. She is IN good hands r
And the next
"August 0, 1855. She is veu as ever p
And the next
"August 0. 1859. / Isap her vesterdayP r
And the next
"August o, 1850. She's Oro,oino rapidiv!"
And the next
"August o, 1851. She continses to do ,ceHr'
And the next
"August 0, 1862. Pve seen her again p
And the next
"August 3d. 1853. She's becoming a womanP
Aud the next
"August o, 1864. Your child Is thirteeni"
And the next
"August Q, 1865. She's loveiier than ever!"
Aud the next
"August o, 1855. She's really charming !"
Aud last year it is
"Augusf 0, 1867. Ny repard is at handP
And what shall we get to-day
The physician looked up and fixed his
thoughtful gaze upon the beresved bus
band and wife.
"How did these messages come to
you" he demanded.
Invariably by post" replied Mr..
Preble. Usually to the house, but
sometimes to the office I"
And you have never seen their
author2'
"Neverr'
The last of them is dated, / See,
year ago to-dsyi"
"Yes, yes" faltered the banker, and
the time has come for another message.
This is the 9th of August, 1861 u
see, said Dr.. Hutton. And this
You are expecting to receive to-day
another OF these strange messages +.
There was brief silence. Mrs. Preble's
hand huttered in its task, and her face
grew very pale. The banker breathed
gaspingly. The physician regarded them
both in friendly sympathy.
I'VE shall hear of her again to-day"
said Mr.. Preble; land what will the
message be ?"
The mother averted her face. Her
brave heart fsltered as that question
echoed in her soul.
The writer of these letters is un-
questiouahly the abductor of your child"
said DR.. Hutton. Have you any sus-
picion as to the identity p
mot the slightest" said Mr.. Preble.
I'VE have puzzled over the problem for
many years, but we cannot guess who he
is."
Think" said the doctor. "Have you
no enemy? do not mean people with
whom you are not friendly-every stir
ring man has plenty of these-but
downright enemy Is there no man
whom you knew in the East who hated
yOu NO Ouo dkainbh "nOh y~N "S'~
called upon to testify-no one whom you
possibly injured p
The banker shook his head. He had
asked himself all these questions repeat
eddy.
~ have no enemy, doctor" he an
swered with sincerity of voice and man.
ner.
"And Mrs. Preble p suggested the
doctor, turning to her. Have you no
rejected suitor who might be revengeful
enough to desolate your homeY 2
NO." said the lady. Il was married
early. Morton was my first loverr d.
"This is strange-very strangeF mutt
tered the doctor. You are not conscious
of having an enemy in the world. and
yet you have an euemy-a hidden Toe
6end in human form-who is working
out against you q fearful hatred And
you have not the slightest suspicion as to
whom he isT
mot the slightest" declared the
banker.
"Not the slightest r. echoed Mrs. Pre-
bic. "My husband had step-orother
who might have been capable OF this in
iany-but be is dead T.
See fourth page.