Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-06-23
CHAPTER XVIII.

Captain Dick Waite, whose chief bust
ness and interes in life just now conferred
in telegraphing operations, came home
the evening after the favorable change in
Viola's condition, and tossed letter to
Ralph, on the table, little contemptuous
ly. lie wasn't interested in the slow-go-
ing mails--in fact, lightning had failed as
yet TO satisfy him.
Ralph took up the letter and opened 1t (;
it was from his mother, OF course. But
no. He glanced at the bottom and saw
"Victor Montford," in just the clear, deli.
cately, bold hand he should have expected
from him. He ran it over quickly, his
face Frightening TO pleasant glow as he
read. II always knew he was q splendid
fellow" he said, a sort of admiring exulta-
ton In his tona But he folded the letter
and put it in his pocket; she must not
hear it that night it would keep, it was
good enough.
The next mprning Viola looked 30
much brighter, and the doctor spoke 30
fayorably beside he was so anxious
10 have her knOw-that he took the letter
and came and sat down by her, and said,
smllingly, and with an attempt at light.
ness
am very proud oil our relAtlOns, the
Montfords, dear Vic. I've letter here
from our cousin Victor cousin In double
sense, or will be soon, l fancy-but you
shall hear 1t. He wanted should read 1t
to you shall DO SO now y
1Yes," she said, family, the least tlnge
of pink coming into her cheeks.
And 90 he unfolded and read
"CAprArN RALPH ANDERSON:
my Very Dear friend :-"Your father has just
called on m. and tod me story which, more than
ANYTHING else I regret about ft--and there 10
enough 10 regret, sirely-is, that had not known
II ali Two months ago. How much suffering and
ss sS ap y sno s.ysd BSs h. .
time for regrets have searched the Montiord
papers and records faithfully, and l have found
some letters-cOrre,pOndeDc between my fatDer
and Alfred DeVries-and oil cOnfrm me, especial.
Iy the latter In the ,elief that Viola 10 right, and
our family are only usurpen. ssk but one thing;
the frai comtor. Of hoping and believing that
his weakness, rather than his wickedness, ny atthe
Foundation OF hiswrong ask this because ne
IL desd-and becatse. whatever be may have been,
! cannot forget that he was my father, and that l
loved him. That be was tool in the hands 81
DeVnes, have long teen, but never dreamed
there was crime under II all.
"DeVhes IL snsent just now. He went to
Galesbufg the night afier my fathers funeral. I
shall, tell MIN al .ne momsat nc re.n ah ana
The Montford property shail DO settled satisiac-
tori ~ TO my cousin. for fnd in letter written
by Dey eleven ye srs ago two years before We
left England reference To Harry's vie ana cnld
And the trouble be had been to- to impress upon
her that the marriage Was all sham. ! have,
therefore, no doubt that she il the legitimate ncir
OF Harry MontIord and oven II she were not, put
was stil his enid, should say the me--and as
such am ready 10 do all IN my power TO rein.tate
her 10 her riehfs. Do not think youreeh, or allow
her to think. thst l do this grudgingly or unwil-
lngly: my great sorrow and regret 10 that can
moi blot out and atone for the unhappy past.
need not tell yoU, certainly, 10 be very tender and
careful Of her and TO use every means 10 bring her
back 70 heaIfh, and / an sure 70 happiness. I
should come TO her at once II Il VS. possible Tor
me to leave homo Ct this time.
''vsry sincerely your nisnd.
.P.S.-I ssw yoar cousin Blanche last night,
dear Ralph. She b noble grill ehs n.y. ~