The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-02-10
THE PROPHECY;
OR,
THE BRIDE OF FATE.
CHAPTER III.-C0NT1NUED.
nnpur .,so np AmIut-n

CHAPTER IL-CONTINUED.
A HOPELESS DEATHDED.
She gathered courage to unite the arched lid that
was securely fastened down, and nestled IN warm
blankets was fair, plump child Of about two years
OF age The blue eyes half Enclosed as the foids OF
flannel that enveoped 1t were turned back. put tey
dropped to again as II unable to wrestle with the
narcotic with which 1t had evidently been drugged
Mrs. Ashford was passonately fond OF children,
amt she lifted the little waf tenderiy III her arms
anu a y W Geng car ing na -
and dalnlly made. On its bosom was pinned
scrap OF paper on which was scrawled in nearly IL
sslIer name is yioletta, and as you deal with nef
may God reward or punish you"
During this time Fantasia was dancing and clap
ming her hands, uttering sfrl cries Of delight over
the newly found treasure
"a baby's Detter'n puppy, Chub., an Pm g0in'
to have II to play with; OH my amt 1t nice 7"
At that moment Mr.. Ashford came into the kitchen
and viciousy snapped OUT
"What's all this clamOr about, and the breakfast
burning to cinder9 smell 1t now; 1t won't be fit
Tor pig 70 eat What's that you've got there, and
where did 1t come fr0mYn
His wife held the sleeping child towards him, ana
said:--
..You can see for yourself what II is, but it is a
strange present to be sent to u.s. II You VIII take
her moment Pll look after the birds. | am afraid
they are scorching little"
Upon my word. madam, you take this very
cooly--it's the most unheard OF impudence In who
ever sent this brat here, and am not going to be
burdened with It, ! can assure you. Put her back
where she came nom and look after your proper
business. When breakfast is III see that the
basket and its contents are packed Off to the poor
Mrs. Ashford knew there was no appeal from this
decision, but she timidly suggested "Aay be there
Is something In the basket that may make you
change your mind. Hadn't you better look through
1t? The little thing looks rs ii she belongs to
spectacle people-that is mean people wen to do,
and she'd hardly be put on US without giving some
thing to keep her on. Everybody around knows
That we are 100 poor to burden ourselves with %
strange child with nothing to pay her way.n
she knew that to appeal to her husbands cupidty
was the only chance to interest him In the helpless
little creature, ana he proved that she understood
nfI1IsA ~ frl Qfn fhD
basket
THERE'S some sense in what you say and III look;
but II there's nothing, shall do said--send the
brat 70 the poorhouse. It's lucky that II is only
lew miles distant.n
As he spoke he dved among the blankets in which
the child had lam, and brought out letter al
dressed TO himself. On breaking the seal his eyes
sparkled at the sight Of bank note for hundred
dollars, and he rapidly SKINNED over the lines ad-
dressed to himself, as foilows:-
well acquainted with your character Hiram Ashford
and know The child have taken the liberty Of giving
sent To prevent this enclose sufficient her
increased in proportion tie outlay you win incur on her
this as s may 9s % for
MAKE efforts discover whence she whom
wife Is DO good and 70 her especially eoua
mend this little girl Her name Is yiQIsa and while she
time may come when her true and position may be
made Known Il that day never arrives she will at least, be
Upon my word-that is something likel The
man who wrote that letter is no fool. Give me the
child and look after your cooking / don't want
everything spoiled. You know ] can't endure my
food unless IL 10 properly Prepared
Mrs Ashford hastened to do as she was bid and
having attended TO her duties, they sat down to
breakfast. BY the time breakfast was over Mr..
Whitney the lawyer, arrived and proceeded at once
to draw Mr. Falconers will. The old man left all he
had to Mrs. Ashford, and ordered Whitney to settle
IL on himself and Clement Merose, as Mrs. Ashford's
trustees that Ashford could In no wise interfere
with the money nor wheedle her out or it. The
f w 80
with his wfe's legacy. The will being completed,
the old man died at the hour OF noon, as he had
firmly believed he would do