The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-10
CHAPTER ".

THE NEWLY ARRIVED FOUNDING.
Mr. Whitney seemed agitated about the newly
arrived fouRdling and Ashford. suspectng that he
knew more of the matter than he cared to confess,
secretly determined ,v, to 1ath ON me mystery
by the residence OF Mr.. Melrose and informed him
what had TRANSFERRED. Melrose agreed to accept the
trust reposed IN him and readily relinquished all
claim to his dead knsman's meagre estate. He and
MS wife were greatly interested in the story about
the baby founding, and strove IN vain to conjecture
When the lawyer reached home his first statement
to his wife (who had been pupil Of Mrs. Ashrords
in her school girl days. was that little Violet had
found home with Mrs. Ashford. and that Mr. Fal-
coner had left his property to her, she would pe
Independent OF her husband.
This news filed Mrs. Whitney with Joy, and she
Immediately sent servant to call mrs. Brent: the
strange woman from an adjoining room, and AZ
MI s,e sme paIor ny one noor another on
dleaged thick-set woman, In dark travelling Dress
entered. Her black hair was thtckly streaked with
gray, and the face 1t framed was that OF an honest
aectonate woman, who tried to do what she thought
right, even In her present difficult and painful posi-
When she saw Mr.. whitney she came rapidly for
ward, and, In agitated tones, asked
son, sir, what have you to tell mes What has been
the fate OF my darlingf She did not suffer from the
exposure; those people did not refuse TO take her In
when the weather Is SO dreadful I've been asleep,
believe but didn't know could sleep with such a
care resting on my mind as the fate Of the child
nursef and loved as my own.
'Violet has found an asylum in the house you
wished her to become an Inmate OF Mrs. Brent: so
set your fears at rest on her account She dis.
covered very soon after your emissary placed the
basket on the porch AZ the Vale, and tho kind heart
OF Mrs. Ashford was at once touched by her help
lessness. In consideration OF the money offered
Ashford is willing TO Keep herr
"Oh, thank God thank God for that much But
the old gentleman, sr3 Has ne seen hers he will
Ing that she shall stay AZ the vale2''
81 am sorry to tell You that one part OF your plan
is failures for Ir. talconer IL dead. That Is why I
remained away so long,
'Dcad r'--and blank look came over the face or
she speaker; .ah well it's the fate that must come
to us ali, and he was very old ought not to have
expected much from him at any rate. If my mis-
tress told me rightly no was hard man 70 deal
with. Not that she knew much Of him, poor thing;
II was only from what her father said that she knew
anything about him.
granddaughter Mrs. Brent that she wished her chid
left at the Waller Comet don't Nike half COM.
dences, and the service have already performed
for you entities me to know. the whole story about
this child. Who Ia she, aud why 10 she to be placed
among strangers for safe keepingr'
ner 70 Uu 81 a s %ay ten
much to keep others from prying about her az to
keep the half promise made TO her mother when
she knew she must dle-she only said TO me, Tf my
little one ever wants shelter Judy you must take
her To place called the Vale, situated among the
old man that owns the farm though never U1 s sne
him. But he must not know who she IL, for IN that
case he might refuse to receive her. Ny child has
no claim that will be considered on any one else
but he may take pity on her and provide for her,,
THAT was the day before she died, and she did
upsndncss to her ana left That viii ,ba q be 81 @
OF all the present trouble. II dreadful story Mr.
whitney, and II ! tell 10 10 You no name must be
mentioned. You must swear TO me that you will not
try to find out who this child H. though II you insist
on 10, must tell you why am putting her away
mcr
II 90 insist on It.. II y my right to know that
much at least; and pledge you my sacred word
that wiz do nothing to compromise yourself or The
child II that does not satisfy you am willing 10
take an oath to that cfect But II am TO be sort
OF guardian TO this little waif must know
more about herr
Mrs. Brent walked to and fro In an excited man.
ner, apparently making up her mind now much To
tell, and what II was necessary 10 withhold She
finally sat down, and, looking Mr.. whitney clearly
In the face, said
"swhst am going to tell you mr., ia 40 strange ana
unnatural that you may find II hard 10 believe but
every w0rd VIII De al true as N was making my
confession on my deathbcd. I hone Won win MACE
confidence In me- Mr. Whitney,
81 see no reason 10 doubt YOU 7 can Iodpe NJ
woman, MEs. Brentr
"yes. sir arm an honest woman. have never