Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1878-10-23
pslice investigation. 1t was all in vain'
never found wife or child
sYst YOU think they livev

Won nv interest in life J.! You filed my
empty house and heart, for L loved ysu'
Hilton, as dearly as 1 loved my baof
daughter whose childhood is closed
sealed book to me-
But now, Uncle George, can nothing
be dene nswt'
we have beth been in Ltndsn three
years, and every month there has been
an advertisement snly Ayra would un'
derstand IN the leading papers. lhave
never had one line OF answer. No, my
boy, 1t is hopeles, now! lin the iu-
ture YOU ever knew Of ny wife or child
1 trust her to ysur care and gener0'l'
ty.'
It seemed as il, in the excitement OF
his recital, Mr.. Hilton had Immediately
suggested it.
He rsse from hi, seat, and opening a
cabinet in the room, brought back =
small bex. It contained a bracelet OF
hair with an inexpensive clasp and q
lscket.
.Wh.n we were in Paris he said,
q had this bracelet made Of Nyra's hair
and mine wsven together; she has the
companion enc. This tiny cell Of gold
in the clasp was cut from the baby''
head, our little darling, then three
months old. 1t must have been some
lingering love that made Myra still keep
the bracelet like this which she wore
constantly. What Is the matter, Hill
ton! You are as white as DEATH
Nothing
Is yonr wife's picture in the lock
etr
Yes. Ysu see how beautiful she
was.'
Il see more than that said Hilton;
and yet dare not tell you what 1
hope. Will you give me one little hour
to see If
If what?'
Only one hour-I will be back
then y
step! Mr.. Hilton cried, shaking with
excitement.
But hi. nephew was gone. Helping,
fearing, not knowing what to hope or
fear, Mr.. Hiltsr watched the clock, till
the hsur should be over.
He walked up and down he tried to
read, he lived oyer again that past, whose
rsmorsedful memories had been 50 Wv
idly recalled.
With Myra's picture before him, he
thought again Of that wild fierce love
that had been his happiness and his
blight.
why was I not calm, reasonable as
became my years and position " be
asked himself, bitterly; why did give
bsy's l.ve to woman who had lived
liz society and respected all its require
ments. l lived an ideal life-Myra the
actual one around US. Where Is Hilton'
What can he know? What has he dis
covt.ed' Only three minute: gene, ant
it seems a day since he was here
Bat even before the hour was over
Hilton returned.
In bis eagerness to question him, Mt
Hilton did net notice that he came
through the drawing'reom to the library
where he waited, leaving the door
little open.
Where have you been!' Mr.. Hitter
asked.
'Ts procure this?' Hilton answered
gravcly, placing in his uncle's hand IN
duplicate Of the bracelet upon the table
The same braid Of sunny brown hair
with here and there some Of raven blacI
streaked with gray; the same smal
clasp with wee cell Of baby curl unde
the glass; the same lettering, too-Myr
and George twined together with ian
tast,c scrolls and twists. For severs
moments there was deep silence. Th
cid man could not speak, and the ysun
man that the child Mrs. willet rescue
frsm poverty, and adopted Tor her o"
is my cousin, and your daughter "
Ada Smith,
Smith was the name her motht
thought most probably would best cor
E csal her identity, and Ada was the nam
Of Mrs. Whats only child, who died
, infancy.
But have you net brought her TO me
asked Mr.. Hinton, with almost sob
his voice. And as he spske, the do'
8 Hilton had left ajar opened, and acro'
. tho threshold stepped tall. bcau'if'
.. girl. with sunny brown hair, and larE
= blue eyes, whs waited timidly until HI
r father came quickly to meet her.
r .Anna.' he said, softly. Can this
!. nv baby-my wee daughter 1t mu
< be, for 1t Is my Myra, who has not gro"
, old and grey, as have, but lives
II perpetual youth. My child, 1 en-
e wronged your mother, but have screw
!. and repcnted for that wrong. Can y
forgive me?'
The tears were falling fast from AM
II Hilton's eyes, and her yoice was trer
}, bling with sebs as she said:
e Ny dear father!'
,fl That was all; as George Hit
10 folded his child IN his arms. he kn'
n that he was forgiven, and for HIM
last there might be happiness in maxi
sthers happy.
d Gsod Mrs. Willet mourncd and
n ioiced at once over her loss and /
N csuld not break in upon what he !slt