New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1878-04-24


he always treated his wife with the kind
est considerations and it was real grief
to him when, in consequence of the sud
den tidings of Colonel Grants accident, a
premature birth cost the young mother
her life. The baby-boy became Kendal's
one solace in his double loss. | knew
too we'll what he felt when he held his
first born in his arms, and my heart grew
dry and hard at the thought that such |
emotions, had been excited by another
than my little Frank.
AS Kendal's duties called him away
from the village, Al-ice's mother propos-
ed to take charge of the baby; and, see
ing that she had lately adopted an orphan
baby of late neighbor and that it was
thri, ing most admirably, he readily
agreed to allow her certain sum for the
child's support. In year or two, how
ever he intended to take London house
for, himself, and he made 1t distinctly
understood that the child was to leave
his grandparents then to be brought up
under his fathers roof.
! About nine months had elapsed, when
he heard from Mrs. Graham that the
child had succumbed to an attack of
Group. Wireless and childless, he hurried
down to look upon the tiny new-made
grave, close to that of the mother-for
little Willie was already buried. The
farmer was i'll with rhumatic fever, and
Mrs. Graham was so worried and upset
that Kendall did not speak with her long.
He put away the past from him as a
dream, and from that day to this he had
never brought himself to visit the neigh
borhood again.
What, then. we're his feelings on read
ing the letter received this morning. 1t
was from the Vicar of Springmead, an
nouncing the death of the aged woman
Graham, who had been long a widow,
and inclosing letter addressed to
"Willie's Father" During her last i'll
ness she had fully confessed to the cler-
gyman the lmposture of which she had
been guilty, beggning, however, that it
might not be revealed to her son-in-law
till she had passed beyond his wrath.
Kendal's boy was still alive and nearly
seven years old; it was her nelghbor's
child that died in infancy, but her great
love for her grand son and dread OF losing
him had tempted her to take advantage
of the circumstance to retain her darling
with her. The Vicar had soon traced Mr.
Darcy, the barristcr; to his abode, and he
wrote that Mrs. Graham, even at the last,
did not seem to realize the extent of her
wrong-doing; it seemed to her partly ex-
cused by the indulgent care levished on
the child she had taught to call her ssgran-
nie,' and by the fact that she had never
accepted the help Of farthing fiom her
son-in-law since she had imposed upon
him. Since her husbands death the
small farm had suffered great misfortunes;
l. appeared that it was now to be sold,
and the proceeds to were pay the debts the
widows slender means had forced her to
contract.
"My blue-eyed baby alive" cried Ken
dali, as if speaking to himself -"given
back to me as it were from the grave!
can even forgive the cruel wrong in the
Joy that is swallowing up every other
feeling joy to know that my son is
not deadP'
At this moment I almost hated nv
husband his heart seemed so far from
me and my baby that passion of zeal
GUS anger seemed rending my soul. With
bitter, cutting words did reproa;h him
for his deceit, and his only answer was
silent look of pain; but when, incensed
by his quiet manner, I began to hint that
the child's training had not been such as
to fit him for our house, saw my hus-
band angry with me for the first time in
his life.
IA child of six or sevcn,'' said he, "can
scarcely be considered as trained to per-
fection-even Frank at that AGE will
sometimes need our fond correction; but
suppose he will he no less our much
loved son."
"Frank has nothing to do with the
present." was my naughty reply; ssmy
son will always be a gentleman"
| was ashamed of nv words as soon as
spoken, but Kendall made no reply. He
walked up and down the room for several
minutes ere he said
III am going down to Springmead to-
day. and shall probably bring Willie
home on Wednesday evening. Come,
mamma" he added tenderly, II know
can trust your woman's heart towards
him"
"You are mistaken, 'rejoined quickly,
IF you suppose shall trouble myself in
the least concerning him. I never ar
ranged for the trying life of step moth.
er. Franks nurse has quite enough to
do. But the boy is old enough to attend
to himself now If you take my advice.
you will send him to d thoroughly select
school for some time before YOU bring |
him home.''
g You most allow me to decide that
matter said Kendall colby. "My house
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