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

Five long 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 Of
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 iu her uncle's home, and
submit passively to Julius Mervin's hated
presence and attentions.
Winter was reigning with unusual sever
ity, when one morning, Ray, seated in her
own room, sewing heard tramping OF
feet in the lower hall, 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, Expressing his grief by
an iron will-turned to her as she came
trembling across the hall.
ellis horse slipped upon the ice, Ray"
he said, in moaning cry; Cant we take
him to his room.''
Silently she led the way, while her uncle,
leaning heavily upon her, continued.
doctors. There can be nothing done, He
is dead. On, my son! my son!''
1t was a sorrow no human power could
comfort, and Ray, moving mechanically to
perform necessary duties, could only offer
mute sympathy, her own heart cold with
horrorand despair.
She had not loved her cousin, tut ali
womaniy feeling grieved 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 in sorrow
by the bedside, when the undertaken came
in, and whispered to her to take her uncle to
another room.
''AEd if you could let me take out chair
or two, or table," he said respectfully -
1--WE would like little more room"
"You can take the table and whatever
else you wish moved to my uncle's room
next this" she said opening the door as she
spoke. "Uncle Ralph, you will come i'll
your room with me, will you not? 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 writiVg-desk upon it came crashing
to the floor, 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
Mervin approached the table
I'VE must take care Of the papers," he
said. Then he gave cry of horror and de
spair that brought Ray quickly back to his
side. Her own lips blanched as the aged
shaking hands pointed TO roll of bank
notes sticking partly out of false bottom
to the desk.
THE stolen notest' the old man cried
Il know them we'll! My son is the thief!
Oh, Heaven, have mercyl' Even in her
JOY a, his revelation, Rays heart ached for
the stricken father who had sunk upon his
knees beside the table, quivering in agony
Of grief 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 heart found solace in
her presence.
Tue days of mourning were doubly sad
to the bereaved father in the dreadful Ger
tain'y Of his sons foul treachery. but he
caused paragraph to be inserted in the
leading papers of many large cities, calling
upon Bernard Hilton to return TO Hope, as
his innocence Of the crime Of which he had
been accused was proven, but saying moth
ing OF the silent witness Of another guilt
And as time wore on, the old mans heart
longed for the boy he had loved for 80 many
years, the faithful clerk he had ,rus; ed so
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 is my birthday, Uncle Ralph, 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 Mervin had been told the
history OF the locket, 50 he cried, quickly:
Bernard has come home again. Where
is he"
And in answer to the call, Bernard Hill
ton came to his side, to meet his stretch
ed hands. and know that his welcome 10 his
home, his old friend. and TO Ray, was
glad welcome to life.
There vas . very quite wedding. ani the
declining years Of Ralph Mervin are glad
enc ana comforted by the love Of Ray, his
niece. ard Bernard, his ado pied son-