The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1877-04-04

face rs he came forward, and his
words were scarcely lover like, though
they made Edna's heart throb with
agitation.
Will you grant me an interview in
your private parlor, Mr.. Russell?' he
said, and will you, Miss Edna, join
us | wish to speak to you before /
leave for Saratega'
Wondering. Edna -obeyed, leaning
upon her uhcle's arm, but upon Mr..
Russell's face there was a strange, ten
der smile, as if he was scarcely sur.
prised at the Summons. Once seated
in the small private parlor, Stephen
Bascomb in mainly, straightforward
words told his love story, but kept
his eyes resolutely from Edna's face,
asking 10 answer to his confession.
i should do wrong to ask for re-
turn Of love, he said steadily, unless
l told you exactly how 1 am situated.
The world believes me a rich man. l
know myselfa pauper. The fortune
my uncle left me | hold in trust for
his daughter
'Trno, never heard of his marriage
until read the letter he left for me
in his will. When he was a very
young man, not twenty, he married a
West India heiress, girl of sixteen,
eloping with her. At Key West,
where the runaway couple were hid
ing for three months, they were found
al last by the brides father, who took
her home and obtained legal separa-
ton upon the grounds that both bride
and groom were under age.
'Still my uncle hovered about the
house, aud saw his wife, as he still
considered her often, but secretly, un-
til after his child, a girl was born.
Then the father carried both mother
and child to Europe, leaving my uncle
in ignorance Of their departure. For
years lie vainly tried to find some
clue to his wife's whereabouts, and bis
own conviction of her faithful love,
his own adherence to the perfect le-
gality of his marriage kept him from
ever taking another woman into his
heart or his home. And he loved me
dearly, and trusted me Implicitly. So
by his will he has left me his heir,
while by letter Of trust he charges
me to seek his wife and child, and il
find them. transfer the property to
which they are entitled to them
Only letter of trust ] said Mr..
Russell, slowly, then you are not
bound in any way
But the old gentleman understood
in the glance and tone ho~ firmly this
bond held Stephen BascOmb.
And what clues have you by which
to trace this visionary couple? Is
your whole life to be spent in thi;
questY
No. If in ten years they are not
found / am to consider nyselfmy un.
cle's heir. In the meantime | spend
from the income of his estate onlywhaI
is absolutely necessary to my search
Judging that the widow and daughter
are people of fashion and standing,
have commenced my search at the
Watering places, where so many West
Indians are found every summer
HIM, yes. How viii you know
them if you find them
'The mothers maiden name wat
Rionda-'
Edna started, while her face grew
deadly pale, but Stephen did not SEE
her agitation as he continued.
1 do not think my uncle knew how
his child was named, bat Miss Rion
da's name was Natalia in the lette
was enclosed a ring, set with dia
monds and rubies, two hearts held BY
circle of diamonds. If / find my
uncles wife che will have the compan
ion ring2'
Edna, said Mr. Russell, very qui
etly, will you get me your mother
, ring?
The young girl pale to her lips
glided away to the next room, ant
/ Mr.. Russell said grayely:
t Stephen Bascomb, you did well t.
f give ne your confidence, to prove t
\ me what honorable mau loves m,
: niece. Were you a pauper, shoul'
be glad to call you my son. an
/ Natalia Rionda's step brother. He
J. mother was my mother, though N,
Y father died when / was but child
!. My mother married Hernandez Rion
Z. da, a wealthy West India sugar plan
Q ter, but when Natalia was but tel
years of age our mother died. | wa
q then at Harvard College, and neve
J, returned to Cuba after my mother
j. death. 1t was not until my sister al
# so died in Paris some six years age
8, that heard from her the story Of he
l. marriage. Hernandez Rionda died
'. poor man, and Nataia sent for m'
e begging my love and protection fo
A | bar'o 'obild / naed moi tell van bOi