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

words we're scarcely lover like, though
they made Edua's heart throb with
agitation.
'Will you grant me an interview in
your private parlor, Mr.. RussellY no
said, and will you, Miss Edna, join
us 4? l wish to speak to you before
leave for Saratoga,
Wondering, Edna obeyed, leaning
upon her uncle'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 ewes resolutely from Edna's face,
asking 10 answer to his confession.
Il should do wrong to ask for a re.
turn Of love, he said steadily, unless
| told you exactly how l am situated.
The world believes me a rich man.
know myselfa pauper. The fortune
my uncle left me | hold in trust Tor
his daughter
True, | never heard of his marriage
until read the letter he left for me
in his will. When he was very
Young man, not twenty, he married
West India heiress, girl of sixteen,
eloping with her. At Key West,
where the runaway couple were hid
ing for three months, they we're found
at 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.
SILL my uncle lowered about the
house. aud saw his wife, as he still
; considered her often, but secretly, un-
til after his child, girl was born
, Then the father carried both mother
L and child to Europe, leaving my uncle
in ignorance Of their departure. FoI
wears lie vainly tried to find some
" clue to his wifes whereabouts, and bis
u own conviction of her faithful love
= his own adherence to the perfect le
), gality of his marriage kept him from
y ever taking another woman into Ms
q heart or his home. And he loved mi
d dearly, and trusted me Implicitly. .
I, Inv his will he has left me his heir
~ while by letter Of trust he charge
me- to seek his wife and child, and
! 81 I find them. transfer the property t
4, which they are entitled to them.
u u Only letter of lrustF said Nj
y Russell, slowly, then you are nc
a a bound in any way.
~ But the old gentleman understoo
ls in the glance and tone hos firmly tn
u hond held Stephen BascOmb.
Ae sAnd what clues have you by whic
TO trace this visionary couple?
We YOUR whole life to be spent IN til
ON questY
ou no. If in ten years they are NJ
'n' found am to consider myself my Ill
f, cle's heir. In the meantime l speh
ne from the income of his estate only Wht
is absolutely necessary to my scare
~ Judging that the widow and daught
er' are people of fashion and standing,
le' have commenced my search at t
~. m watering places, where so many we
'nS Indians are found every summer
no HIM, yes. How will you knC
ye' them if YOU find them?
5"' sThe mothers maiden name "
-, Rionda-'
.es, Edna started. while her face gr
nee deadly pale, but Stephen did not
> her agitation as he continued,
I do not think my uncle knew h
Is his child was named, bat Miss Rio
or da's name was Natalia. in the let
vas enclosed a ring, set with d
ere monds and rubies, two hearts held
10 circle of diamonds. If | find
ad; uncle's wife she will have the comps
ion rinPf
Edna said Mr.. Russell, very q
etly, will you get me your moth'
INTO ring? :,
,cb, rC Tie young girl, pale to her il
nnt rlided away to the next room,
and Mr.. Russell said grayely
cart Stephen Bascomb, you did well
i of give NE your confidence, to prove
rom me what a honorable mau loves
con- niece. Were you pauPer, l sho
be glad to call you my son.
and Natalia Rionda's step brother.
line. mother was my mother, though
nv father died when | was but a ch
enc. NV mother married Hernandez II
now. da, a wealthy West India sugar p
love ter, but when Eatalia was but
wears of age our mother died: l
phen then at Harvard Coliegs' ano ! n' ~
orch, returned to Cuba aiter my moti @
nm. death. 1t was not until my sister
RI Of so died in Paris some SIX years
eyes, that heard from her l9e stoiy ~, a.
sun marriage. Hernahuel hionu" ul'
brow. poor man, and Nalaiia sent toi
face begging my love aud protection