The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-10-31

l can see tnat Myra was put uiiipS he
proper place in society as hostess o.
guest; but then, blinded by my jealousy
I grudged any other tnan a pleasan
look or a cherry word. I cannot tel
you now of every scene that turned hel
| love for me to fear and dislike. She
became pale and miserable, often suller
and defiant. Finally she left me!
Left you?'
L came home one afternoon, after
conducting an Intricate criminal case
and found a note on my table, telling
me Myra could no longer endure the
life of constant quarreling and reproach
She had taken her child, and would
never return TO me- g., &.
Did she not 20 to relativesr
She had but few. Her father died
while we were abroad, and having been
considered rich man, was found te
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. I never found wife or child
Yet you think they live p ...-
L cannot tell. remained here for
five years, and then, as you know, went
to see my only sister, dyiugin consump'
tion.'
'And TO become my second father
Yes, py boy. I found you, my lit
tie namesake, a sobbing boy of twelve,
heart-broken over your mothers illness
and death. You know the rest Of my
life-history. I retired from the pursuit
of my profession, travelled with you,
made you ny one interest in life! You
filed my empty house and heart, for |
loved you, Hilton, as dearly as 1 loved
my baby daughter whose childhood is a
closed, sealed book to me-
But, now, Uncle George, can nothing
be done now?
sWe have both been in London three
years, and every month there has been
an advertisement only Myra would un-
dsrstand in the leading papers. have
never had one line Of answer. No, my
boy, it is hopeless now! IF in the fu@
ture you ever know of my wife or
child, I trust her to your care and gen.
erosity.'
It seemed as if. in the excitement Of
his recital, Mr.. Hilton had forgotten the
that had Immediately sug-
gested it.
He rose from his seat, and opening
cabinet in the room, brought back a
small box. 1t contained bracelet Of
hair with an inexpensive clasp and a
locket.
when we were in Paris he said, Il
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. 1t must have been some
lingering love that made Myra still
keep the bracelet like this which she
wore constantly. What is the matter,
Hilton Yon are az white as death,
Nothing
'Is your wife's picture in the locket 2
'sYcs. You see how beautiful she
was
L see more than that said Hilton;
'and yet dare not tell you what I
hope. Will you give me one little hour,
to see if
Ifwhat?'
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 OF
fear, Mr.. Hilton watched the clock, till
the hour should be over.
He walked up and down, he tried tt
read. he lived over again the past whose
remorseful memories had been 80 viVidly
recalled.
With Myra's picture before him, bt
thought again of that wild, fierce love
that had been his happiness and hi
blight.
why was I not calm, reasonable n.
became my years and position p b,
asked himself, bitterly: why did
give boys love to a woman who hae
lived in society and respected all it
requirements? lived an ideal life
Myra the actual one around US. Wheri
is Hilton !? What can he know? Wha
has he discovered7 Only three min
utes gone, and it seems q day since h
was here
But even before the hour was owe
Hilton returned.
In his eagerness to question him, Mr.
Hilton did not notice that he cam
through the drawing-room to the Ii
brary where he waited, leaving the doc
a little open
Where have you been p Mr.. Hilton
asked.
TO procure this 7 Hilton answered
gravely, placing in his uncle's han
the duplicate of the bracelet upon th
table.
The same braid of sunny brown bair
with here and there some Of raven blac
streaked with gray; the same sma
clasp with wee coil of baby curl unde
the glass; the same lettering, too-Myr
| IA raoroo tvined tooether with fan