The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-03-30
loss Of her uncle's gift entailed upon her,
he spoke no word Of Gliding.

he spoke L o word OF Gliding.
Five lorg years, speeding by for some,
dragging YEARLY for others, found the vii
lage Of Hope but little changed, though
there were great changes amongst the peo-
PIE. Mr.. Selwyn at an advanced age had
yielded to the call Of nature and passed
peacefully to his long rest, and Ray was
with her uncle Ralph, q most reluctant de-
pendent upon his bounty.
she sewed for her pocket money and
clothing; greatly against her uncle's wis
but there was no oppurtinity for her to CT
tain other employment at Hope aud she
could not resolve to leave the village.
Here Bernard Hilton had LETT her-here
he would seek for her if he ever returned
here his innocence must be proved. This
last was the hope that made her patiently
endure her life i'll her uncle's home, and
bmit passively to Julius Mervin's mated
presence and attentions.
Winter was reigning with unusual sever
ity, when one morning, Ray, seated in her
feet in the lower hall, a confused mingling
OF many voices, and at last, above ali, the
voice OF her uncle, calling:
Rachel. Rachel'
She hurried down the stairs to see shut
ter laid on the floor, and upon that the dead
body Of her cousin julius. Her uncle-his
voice full Of agony, suppressing his grief by
an lrcn wlll-turned to her as size came
trembling across the hall.
''iis horse slipped upon the ice Ray"
he said, in a moaning cry; Cant we take
him to his room"
Silently she led the way, while her ,.ncle,
leaning heavily upon her, continued
'.We nave had MIN at the bank, with two
doctors. There can be nothing done, He
is dead. On, my son! my son.
Il was a sorrow no human power coulu
comfort, and Ray, moving mechanically TO
perform necessary duties, could only offer
mute sympathy, her own hear, cold with
norrorand despair.
She had not loved her cousin, uu; ali
womanly feeling grIeyed over his sudden,
awful call into eternity.
She was darkening the windows. pulling
down the heavy curtains, stopping some
times to caress the white head bent III sorrow
by the bedside, when the undertaken came
H. and whispered TO her to take her uncle 10
another room.
And # you could let me take out chair
or Two, or table," he said respectfully
I'VE would like little more room.
"You can take the table and whatever
else you wish moved to my uncles room.
next this, she said opening the door as she
spoke Uncle Ralph, you will come il
your room with me, viii you noty We will
soon come back here
The old man rose heavily and followed
her. Just as they reached the larger room
the man carrying the little table let it slip
and a writiVg-desk upon it came crashing
to the noor, breaking at every joint. The
man, hastily apologizing, replaced the pieces
upon the table, and hurriedly went to his
task IN the chamber of death. But Ralph
Nervln approached the table
I've must take care Of the papers" he
said. Then he gave cry of horror ana de
spair that brought Ray quickly back to his
side Her own lips blanched as the aged
shaking hanis pointed TO a roll of bank
notes sticking partly out Of false bottom
TO the desk.
The stolen notes." the old man cried
= know them we'll. My son is The thief.
Oh, Heaven, have mercyl" Even in her
10Y at his revelation, Rays heart ached .ol
the stricken father who had sunk upon his
knees beside the table, ouivcring IL agony
o. gtei and horror
She could comfort him even then as nc
one else could, knowing words were vain,
but Offering such tender, loving sympathy.
that even his crushed hear, found solace in
her presence.
The days O, mourning were doubly sad
10 The bereaved father in the dreadful Ger
talny Of his sons foul treachery but he
4
leading papers G. many large cities, calling
upon Bernard Hilton TO return to Hope "a
his innocence Of the crime OF which he had
| been accused was proven, but saying moth
lag o. the silent witness Of another guilt.
And rs TINE wore on, the old mans heart
longed Tor the boy he had loved for 90 many
year., the faithful clerk he had ,raste cd 50
long
June had come, when, one morning, RAY
coming to her uncles side, her sweet face
wearing smile long a stranger there. said
soft y:
at il NY birthday. Uncle Ralpb, and
have gift to show you"
She opened her hanl to show, lying up
on the palm, an old fashioned locket stud
ded with Diamonds. In the months Of
mourning. Ralph Merviu had been told the
history OF the lockst. so he cried. quickly:
Bernard mas come home again! Where
is he
And IN answer e the call. Bernard Hill
ION came to his side, to meet his stretch
ed hands AMI know tina; his welcome 10 his
home his old friend. and to Ray. was
glad welcome 10 life.
There was very quite welding. AMI The
declining years Of Ralph Mervin are ela4
enc ami comfnrsed by the love Of Ray, his
niece, ard Bernard. his ado pied con