Litchfield enquirer., 1881-04-21
WHOLE NO. 2Se3


 uack to the sofa and kissing her tenderiy, he, by strong effort, spoke quietly and calmly: t"Dear moiher,- 1 must nOt-cannot be the means of causing you the further trial of com. municating these circumstances to Susette. It would only aid, and Iihink needlessly, to the bitterness of our inevitable parting. The knowledge of the unfortunate events of your early life would only be source of sad re- hccti0n, which we can surely for the present spare hers and after she has somewhat recover ed from the shock of our separation You can communicate them to her in your own way. 1 will now write 8 letter to her. telling her that sudden and unforeseen news of great im- portance compels lne to leave for Singapore, lu the Albert Allen, immediately that can- uot bear the trial of 8 parting scene, but that 1 wilt write to her as soon as arrive there. Though she will suffer much, yet think sEe will do so less this way than any other. Try iug to save both her ana you as much as pos sibls will perhaps extenuate the deception put upon her." Y Eoa-a ~s.1 gfr'.. tl ".r" Harley having persuaded Mrs. Van Dusen to consent to his plan and having written the letter to be delivered to Susetle soon after his departure- took an atfecti0nate leave of his un- happy mother, and left the house unseen.
 The explanations which passed between Mrs. Van Duse. and Harley were these. Mir. Charles Smith, his grandfather, had by wealthy marriage been enabled to move in much higher spnere in society then that in which he had been born; and like many others similarly situated, formed the most ex- travagant ideas as to the future of his son Charles, named after him, and of his twin- sister Ellen. For the first of these he got commission in 'crack" regiments and on the tinal return of his daughter from school, ne engaged for her companion, Miss Harr. son, a'sweet amiable girl and an orphan. Be- tween Charles and her, a warm attachment was soon formed, which ripened into love. Charles persuaded her, on sone pretence, to visit London for sLort time where she stay ed with her old schOulnstress. During his time the banns of marriage were published in the two churches of the respective parishes they stayed in, after which they were united.
 When Chares's father came to learn what had taken place, he gave way to the most violent passion, and vowed that the woman who had thus entrapped his son would never be allowed to bear his name. He went up to London, and compelled Charles to exchange ut once into cavalry regiment serving in India The youth pleaded to be allowed to take his wife with him, or to remain at home. But his father was inexOrable and Charles being under age, and entirely dependent upon his father for support, was unable to resist the mandate. ;. .t ., :. ....s. .. r,
 Thus, after but few weeks of married life, they were torn from each other and the most Charles could obtain from his uurelenting par ent was 8 promise that his wife Mss Harrison, as his father chose still to call her. should be well cared for. To do him justice. MT. Smith faithfully performed this, but it was after exactiug a promise from the poor girl that she should never ulake known the
 nari iage with his son. She was indeed we'll provided for: and son, who was afterward n.trnf fn hQF t0k frOO fha ahs.ro and given in charge of Mrs. Jones, the widow of a ,c,irate lately deceased, and in poor circum- stances, and who had been left with an infant of her own; Mir. Smith paying literally for. her care of the boy.
 After the young mothers recovery she ob- tained, through Mir. Smiths influence, indi- rectly applied, situation as q gOverness in Amsterdam. She had received several letters from Charles, in which he told her that, as soon as he was of age, he would come home and make their marriage public; and he had also written to his father to the same effect Determined, however, to break of the con- nection, Mir. Smith, as soon as he obtained the situation fer the poor young wife in Am- stefdan, wrote to his son that she had died of typhoid fever; and at the same time he wrote to her that his son had died in India very sud- denly. This she fully believed, but came to England once to see her child. Fearful that if this visit were frequently repeated she would find out the deception he had practised as to his sons death. Mr. Smith further again deceived her by sending her intelligence of the child itself a few months later. All connec- tiOn between them was thus terminated; and some years later, in entire ignorance or sus- piclOn of the deception that had been prac. tised upon her, sile married Captain Van Du- sen. the commander of Dutch East India man. .t- a.E "t t
 When Charles Harley, in India. received the false intelligence of his wifes death he wrote to his father begging him to see that everything possible should be done for the child's health and welfare; and this Mir. Smith faithfully did. ...' . .
 On his fathers death, two years after. Charles sold his commission, and came home from India, when, succeeding to large estates from his maternal grand uncle, he assumed the name of Harley. Thereupou he formally acknowledged John as his son; and pension ing of Mrs. Jones, put the lad to school, and after he cape of age settled on him most liberal allowance.
 It was very fortunate that we haa Hu unu- sually quick Iassagh to Singapore, for the next mornlDg after sailing from Batavia on going into the cabin where Harley was, fonnd him in raging fever and quite deliri- Ous. l did the best could to allay his suffer ings; but up to our arrival at Singapore he re. naned in the same state, and was carried on sEore to the hotel, where the best medical aS- .sistance was procured. It was more than fortnight before he was considered out of dan ger, though still terribly prostrated by weak. ness. Of course, he had been unable to write to Susette as he had prrposed, and was still incapable of dolng 80; but he requested me tn pen few lines to Mrs. Van Dusen. intinia- ting that lie had been very i'll, and though now recovering was too weak to write Tina did and two days more passed, the symp- toms continuing favorable.
 [ Than came letter iIy steamer from Bat avia, from Mrs Van Dusen, full of anxiety, our arrival at Singapore having been reported there. With It cane some English letters, which had gone to Batavia from Singapore and were now returned by Mrs.. Van Duseu. One of these, could not help observing, was ! somewhat bulky packet, edged with black. Idid not, h3weverer, choose to notice the circumstances when handed Harley the let. ters, but left him for while to read them Fiounged about for some time on the verantia. until Chinese waiter cane tgaqsay that Mir. Harley, wanted me immediately, As 1 en- tered his room saw that he had raised him. selr up in bed. His face was flushed and he was clearly in a state of great excitement Joy and sorrow, Ingra,n,'' he cried; .'iby and sorrow; scarcely know whether | should laugh or weep Here, take this letter, and read for yourself" and he ! fell back on the pillow with the packet had before observed grasped in his hand. -
 took it from him, and was just common. cling to examine it when.he again stopped tie Does not the government steamer sail to-day for Baiavis?" Yes; at 12 O'clock" said T.; |" and it is now past H." -"' ' .-7-'' t''' d "Ge of and get some money, and take pas. sage to Batavla. Take the letter read it,- end give it to Mrs. Van Dusen. Come back with the steamer,or shall go mad with ex- pec.ation."
 4 feared his delrium was returning.
 He guessed my thoughts. 3"I'ln all right, Ingram. he said. ' 'I shall soon be we'll. The letter, will explain alL But be of. or you will miss the steamer.
 saw it was 1t was much past eleven, shook him by the hand anTl with a I.(l,1 haaa vo,, IF