The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1876-10-26
81 have letter for you, Miss Alida,"
he said, Entrusted to my care by your
father"

''You knew him 2'' she asked.
81 knew him, was the grave response.
81 alone knew his secres-S
Aida read the letter in silence, learn
cd the history of her birth, the shame of
her mother, the terrible crime which
had been attempted on her life, which
made her father, in his temporary in
sanity, voluntarily quit the abode of
man.
She was q child no longer. The sud
den blows she had received had matured
her far beyond her years.
"Your decision now ?" the lawyer
said.
ssI will go with this good man," was
her answer, land trust to you to keep
my secret as you have that of my unhap-
Ply fathers.
Won Meyer took Ler to his home, and
to his motherless boy. She found Rich
ard Won Meyer youth of rare genius,
beautiful-looking fellow when seated
by his table, or before his canvas, on
which he transferred the lovely things
conceived by his Imagination but alas
he was cripple-one foot WAS hideous-
ly deformed, and he shrank from the
world to hide himself from it's pitying
gaze But he loved his foster sister
with an alteration that was part of his
being. s--~>sts.
Years went by. Aiiiiea was now known
to the world as Rose Meyer, the queen
of song. She had studied diligently, and
her first appearance was success, and
had sang before every court-she had
hosts of admirers, but most assiduous
was Guy Haughton. His wife was dead,
and he followed the lovely prima donna
like one enchanted. Sometimes she
seemed to encourage, sometimes to re-
pei, until he was bewildered.
She made inquiries into his life; found
he was dissipated, wasting his inheri-
tance, and then she wrote to Mr.. Chilli
cothe.
81 have kept my fathers wishes sa-
cred,' she said, 'tbut think now is the
time to avow my identity. Guys father
is dead, and he is squandering the es-
tate
Mr.. Chi]licothe responded, and then
wrote to Guy-"Your uncle's heir has
seen fit to claim the estate. I am as
s-,red of her identity, as I know where
your uncle went to when he, wife and
child SO nyeteriously disappeared long
years ago. I have all the papers needed
to prove that this is she true heir, and
it will be useless for you to contend the
case"
Guy Haughton was like one froze.
His estates drifting away from him. He
remembered the story how his uncle had
disappeared but as no tidings had ever
been heard OF him, he had not dreamed
of this! He had such faith in Chilli
cothe's sagacity that he knew to make
any fuss would be useless.
He went to the prima donna. ''I love
you," he said, s'but I am now q poor
man."
''That would make no difference, was
the willy response. stI would care for
no mans poverty. An upright heart
one which had never premcdiated evil
against fellow being is all I ask
He colored slightly beneath the bright
glance of her eye, and said:
'sMy fate 2''
81 will tell you after you have gone to
see this new heir which has appeared to
claim Haughton."
He had to be contended, and started
on his journey.
After he had gone, Rose requested her
guardian to accompany her to Haugh-
ton. They both consented, though great
drops of perspiration rolled from Rich
ards brow as he saw how hopelessly he
would be separated from the only woman
he had ever loved-ever could love. Not
that he had whispered his love to her,
though he knew she had OWNED his Sc
cret.
When Guy presented himself he was
ushered in by Lawyer Chillicothe into
the reception room, and there before
him sat Rose Meyer.
s'Rose /" he cried, in startled tone,
s'surely you cannot be my cousin l''
ST am," she answered firmly, arising
from her seat. 'sHer whom you know
as Rose Meyer is il reality Aida Haugh-
ton, the daughter OF the hermit of the
Tangle, the girl whom you tried to lure
away in her innocence. I loved you
then, Guy Haughton, but that love was
killed when your real treachery was ex-
posed. You are nothing to me now, nor
ever will be-"
He stepped out of the door huniiiated
never to return again. After he had
gone she turned to the son of her guar
dian:
'sRichard," she said, in low voice,
'don't deBpise me, but do you want
wife ?"
His face became pale, then flushed.
''Rose, Rose" he faltered, ''surely
you would not trife with me, knowing
how hopelessly I love you.
''Not hopelessly," was the low re-
sponse.
The wedding was very quiet affair,
and the world wondered why the beauti-
full songstress was never seen any more;
only few knew what happy life she
led at Haughtonville as Aida Meyer.