The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1878-12-24

taken her child and would never return
to me
Did she not 60 to relatives ?"
"She he'd but few. Her father died
while we were abroad, and having been
considered rich man, was found to
have left less than his funeral expenses.
She bad an aunt and some cousins, to all
of whom went but who denied all
knowledge Of her After searching with
the eagerness of penitence deep ard sin.
cere and love most profound, I finally
advertised, and even employed private
police investigation. 1t was all in vain.
l never found wife or child "
"Yet you think thev live p
81 cannot tell. ] remained here for
five years, and then, as you know, went
to see my only sister, dying of consump
ton"
Sand to become my second father.
"Yes, my boy. found you, my little
namesakes sobbing boy OF IL, heart
broken over your mothers illness and
death. You know the rest OF my histo.
ry I retired from the pursuit of my
profession, travelled with yoa, made you
my one interest in life. You filed my
empty house and heart, for loved you,
Hilton, as dearly as l loved nv baby
daughter, whose childhood, is closed
sealed book to me-"
"Bnt, Uncle George-can nothing be
done now2"
"We have been here three years, and
every month there has been an adver.
tisement only Myra could understand 10
the leading papers l have never had
one line of answer No, my boy, it is
hopeless now! II in the future you
should know of my wife or child, trust
her to your care and generosity"
1t seemed as il, 10 the excitement. of
his recital, Mr. Hilton had forgotten the
conversation that had immediately sug.
eested it He rose from his seat, and
opening cabinet in the room, brought
back small box 1t contained brace
let OF hair with an inexpensive clasp and
q locket.
when We we're in Paris" he said, II
had this bracelet made of Myra's hair
and mine woven together; she has the
companion one. This tiny Coil of gold
in the clasp was cut from the baby's
head, our little darling, then but three
months old II must have been some
lingering love that made Myra still keep
the bracelet like this, which she wore
cpnstantly2 WHAT is the matter, Hi
ton? You are as white as death
"Nolhing, Is your wife's picturein
the locket 2"
Yes You see how beautiful she
was"
81 see more than that J" said Hilton !;
"and yet l dare not tell you what sec
Will you give me one little hour to see
if"
"If what2'
"Only one bour-I will be back then !
/. stop" Mr.. Hilton cried, shaking
with excitement; but his nephew was
gone. Hoping, fearing, not knowing
what to hope or fear, Mr. Hilton watch.
ed the clock till the hour should be over
He walked up and down, he tried to
read, he lived over and again that past,
whose remorseful memories had been so
vividly recalled. With Myra's picture
before him, he thought again of the wild,
fierce love that had been his curse.
"Why was l not calm, reasonable, as
became my years and position p be ask
ed himself, bitterly. "Why did ! give q
boys love to q woman who had lived in
society, and respected all it's require.
ments? / lived an idle life-Myra the
actual one around US Where is Hilton
What can he knowp What has be dis
covered ? Only thirty minutes gone, ,and
it seems day since be was here!'
But even before the hour was over
Hilton returned. In bis eagerness to
question him, Mr.. Hilton did not notice
that he came through the drawing room
to the library where he waited, leaving
the door little open.
"Where have you been ?" Mr.. Hilton
asked. -, ,.sr
."To procure this" Hilton answered
erayely, placing in his hands the dupli-
cate of the bracelet upon the table.
The same braid of sunny brown hair,
With !, here and there some of the raven
black streaked with gray; the same small
clasp with wee coil Of baby hair under
the glass; the same lettering, too--My
ra and George twiEed together with fan
tastic scrolls and twists For several
moments there was deep silence. The
old man, could not, and the young man
would not break in upon what be felt to
be a sacred emotion At last lifting his
head, George Hilton asked:
Does Myra live? Can she forgive
me p
"It is years since she died." Hilton
answered, shut surely in heaven she has
forgiven you! She never spoke of you
TO your child but in words of respect
and Affection. though she always spoke
of you as dead'
"My child! You know nv child?"
II know and love her. Do you not
guess, Uncle George, where l saw that
bracelet whose duplicate recognized a,
once, whose face is living copy of the
one in your, locketr Must tell you
that the child Mrs Willett rescued from
poverty, and adopted for her own, is my
cousin and your daughter
"Ada Smith?'
"Smi.h was the name her mother
thought would most probably conceal
her identity, and Ada was the name oI
Mrs Willetrs only child, who died in
infancy"
"But why have you not brought hel
to me ?" asked Mr. Hilton, with aim ,sl
a sob in his voice. And as he spoke the
door which Hilton had left ajar opened
and across the threshold stepped tall
beautiful girl, with sunny brown hair
and large blue eyes who waited timid'y
until her father came quickly to meet
her.
"Anna!" he said softly. "Can this be
my baby-my wee daugbter2 1t must
DO, for it is my Myra who has not grown
old and grav, as have, hut lives in per.
petual youth My child, l wronged your
mother, but have sorrowed and repent
ed for the wrong Can you forgive
me ?"
The tears were falling fast from Anna
Hilton eyes, aud her voice was trem.