The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1878-11-21

81 came home one afternoon, after con-
Quoting an intricate criminal case, and
found note upon my table, telling me
Myra could no longer endure the life of
constant quarrel!ing and reproach. She
had taken her child, and would never re-
turn TO me-"
did she not go to relatives?'
Shc lad 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
had an aunt and some cousins, to all of
whom I went, but who denied all
knowledge Of her. After searching with
the eagerness Of penitence deep and
sincere, and love most profound, finally
advertised. and even employed private
police investigation. 1t was all in vain.
never found wife or child"
Yet you think they liye?'
81 cannot tell. | remained here for five
years and then, you know, went to see my
only sister, dying Of consumption"
"And to become my second father
eyes, my boy. | found you, my little
namesake, sobbing boy oftwelve, heart
broken over your mothers illness and
death. You know the rest of nv life
history. l retired from the pursuit of my
profession travelled with you, made you
my one interest IN life. You filled nv
empty house and heart, for I loved YOU
Hilton, as dearly as 1 loved my baby
daughter whose childhood is a closed,
sealed book to me-"
"But, Uncle George, can nothing be
done now"
eve have been in London three wears,
and every month there has been au adver-
tisement only Myra would understand in
the leading papers. I have never had
one line Of answer. No, my bow, it is
hopeless now If in the future you ever
know OF my wife or child, / trust them
to your care and generosity"
1t seemed as if, in the excitement of his
| recital, Mr. Hilton mad forgotten the con
versation that had immediately sugg est
ed it. He rose from his seat, and open
ING cabinet in the room, brought back
IA small boz. 1t contained a bracelet Of
hair With an inexpensive clasp, and a
lCcket.
when we were in Paris" he said, 81
had this bracelet made of Myra's hair
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. 1t must have been some lingering
love that made Myra still keep the brace
let like this which she wore constantly.
What IS the matter, Hitonl You are as
white as death"
Nothing. Is your wife's picture in
the locket2'
"Yes. You see how beautiful she was"
II see more than that said Hilton ;
land yet dare not tell you what Ihope.
VIII you give me one little hour to see
if"
"If WHAT
Only one hour-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 watched the
clock till the hour should be over. He
walked up and down, he tried to read, he
lived over again that past whose remorse-
full memories had been so wildly recalled.
With Mvra's picture before him, he
thought again oil that wild, fierce love
that had been his happiness and his
blight.
why was | not calm, reasonable as
became ny years and positionf' me ask
ed himself, bitterly. why did | give
boz low. to a womaa who had lived in
society, aud respected all its require
ments. | lived an ideal life-Myra the
actual one around Us. Where is Hilton
What can he know. What has he dis
! -.
it seems q day since he was here"
But even before the hour was over
Hilton returned. In his eagerness TO
question him, Mr.. Hilton did not notice
that ne came through the drawing room
to the library where he waited, leaving
the door a little open.
"Whcre have YOU been7" Mr. Hilton
asked.
so procure this" Hilton answered,
gravelv. placing in his uncle's hand the
duplicate Of the barcelct upon the table
The same braid Of sunny brown hair.
with here and there some Of raven black
streaked with gray; the sam small clasp
with wee coil OF baby curl under the
glass: the same lettering, too-Myra and
George twined together with fantastic
scrolls and twists.
For several moments there was deep
silence. The o4d man could not speak.
and the young one would not break IN
upon what he felt to be sacr ed emotion
At last, lifting his head, George Hilton
asked.
Does Myra livea Can she forgive
met"
1T is years since she died" Hilton an
swered, but, 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 my childi''
Il know ana love her. Do YOU not
guess, Uncle George. where l saw that
bracelet whose duplicate ! recognized a.
once. whose facc is living copy OF the
one in your locketl Must tell you that
the child Mrs. Willo. rescued from pow
erty, and adopted for her own, is mr.
cousin. and your dau-hteri"
Ada Smith,
"Smith was the name her mother
thought most probably would conceal
her identity. and Ada was the name OF
Mrs. Willet's only child, who died in In