The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-03-21

recently ben made, and muttered, nali
triumphantly
They are preparing for me 60 on, my
lord Of the manor build, improve, beauti-
fly, the tenant will be ready.
A few dim gleanls Of light stole from the
closed blinds of one OF the wings on the
ground hoor, emanating from room IN ITS
remotest part.
I Colonel Markham's library" again
/ muttered the strange hOrseman, under his
\ breath, dismuuntlnx and securing his steed
to tree, vaultlng the low fence, and
strlding cautiously in the direction Indi-
Gated.
Everything happens most Opportunely.
and my rough ride over the mountain will
not be TOR nothing.
A half balcony ran round the windows
Of the room designated by the horssnsn 10
Colonel Markham library, and this, with
but little effort, the stranger mounted
cantaOnAly, opening the stats Of Una Of the
blinds.
At table within the room sat COlOnel
Markham, perusnIg an old, tlne-w"rn
manuscript, ms back toward tie stranger
deeply absorbed apparently IN his work,
Tor he did not notice the sharp click OF the
shutter, as the stranger opened 1t as quiet
~ as circumstances could admit, anu at
tempted to raise the window. Deeply
indeed must the Colonel's mind have been
engrussed IN his labor, for not until the
InIruder stood within the room, had quietly
pushed down the window again, and u cold
current Of air struck Mr.. Markham did he
shIver and looked up aDstrActedly.
Tne stranger stood motlOnless, awaiting
the further movements of the Colonel, aud
then silently as q spirit he moved 10 the
other side of the wrItlng-ta6le and seated
himself The Colonel looked up with q
startled glance Of astOnishmeut and leaped
10 his leet with pale face and distended
eyes, and there he stood, staring IN mute
surprise at the intruder, who viewed hun
~Ith quiet sneerIng smile.
lin heavens name, how did you enter
here n
The her pointed significantly at the
window, and i'll q clear, we'll mOdulated
voice said
''R assure yourself and be seated. am
neither burglar, nor do | seek you to
alarm you. Pardon my unceremOnlous
mode of entrance, but 1 did not wish to
disturb the household, and when | have
ex planned to you the object OF my visit,
you will at once the prOprlety Of my
entering your presencs III the manner
have"
Colonel Markham resumed his seat with
an unsatisted air, his face again assuming
its former cold expression Of hauteur but
he glanced uneasIly at his strange visitor,
from the dripping, brOad-brinlmed hat,
down to the long, black cloak which, hang
ing half neghgently from his shoulders,
displayed a faultless form.
The stranger removed his hat, placed it
carelessIy, wet as it was, upon the table,
and then raised his hand to fling back the
wet, curling locks which were matted to
his forehead, exhibiting as he did 50, a
splendid diamond ring, peculiarly set,
~hIch flashed brilliantly in the flare Of
the lamp, and an exact col i'crpart OF
which glistened on Colonel Markhams
finger.
The Colonel followed the movement Of
his hand, and caught sight of the ring.
As he did SO, wild light sprang into hls
eyes his face became pale as death, every
vestige of color deserting his countenance,
and leaning forward, he gasped-
" In Gods name, who are you !"
A sneering smile, demoniac in its ex-
preston of intense triumph, wreathed the
lips Of the intruder as he returned the
wild gaze of his companion with placid
GOODNESS.
Colonel Markham" he said, as if he
were making the most common place re-
mark in the world, instead Of one which
involved the happiness of those near and
dear to the old mans heart. " am the
son Of Estelle Markham, and you are my
father"
Colonel Markham sank back into his
seat with an incOherent exclamation Of
pain and surprise, more, amazement. His
Jaw fell, his eyes glared wildly, and his
hands clutched with vice-like tenacity to
the arms of his chair.
His son
Memory needs no aid to revive the re-
membrance Of his past life. Like some
phantasmagoria exhibiting the deeds and
actions and thoughts Of years in one single
moment,-all passed before him like
fash Of light revealing q landscape. His
mind tottered in amaze. This announce
ment coming % unexpectedly, so crush
ingly to him, almost deprived him of his
reason for the moment. But his was q
stern will and exercising it upon his
uo ChlLlo Oub AIOHu bHC COnl01aOh
created by the sudden announcement, and
regained his composure, and with pow
erful effort turned his cold, unquailing
gaze full upon the face Of the other, who
sat watching the effect of his words with
apparent satisfaction.
The Colonel paled a. he again caught the
radiant glitter Of the diamond ring on the
finger of his visitor but he said in
steady voice, coldly and chillingly, as was
habitual to him
You are mistaken. Estelle Saltore is
dead, and never had q son."
His companion gave utterance to light,
scornful laugh.
"You are mistaken, mon pere you at
least make the concession that you was
lawfully married to my mother !"
Z" was legally united to Estelle SsltOre,
who died, an have proof, in New York,
twenty nine years ago. Ths union was
one Of boyish haste and girlish impru-
dence, and was kept silent, and no offspring
was the result Of that marriage, returned
the Colonel coldly."
/ do not blame you for desiring TO keep
secret the marriage for q time under the
circumstances Of the case, IN understood
by myself from my mother but why did
you mot acknowledge her before the world
when the proper time came. Surely"
T" "Estelle Saltore fed the village the
night proposed taking her to the manse.
From the woman with whom she lived,
among the mountains, an old hag who
claimed to be her aunt or something Of
that sort, I learned that she had fed from
her home in it Of mental alteration"
Brought on BY the fact that she was
about 70 b. . mother" interrupted the
stranger. "Oolonel Markham, for will
90 cal you until have proved TO you that
| have right to claim yoa - parent, il
you win listen to me without interruption,
/ win prove what now sssert-that am
your son, born in holy wedlock."
Ths Colonel glanced as the face of hin
/ viniknr far n mnmant and than howad hin