Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1881-03-11
do you mean!"

INV yVu hnSeA'
al will tell you. l was an actress;
married, lawfully mArried---thank God
and you are my only child. My hus
band was killed BY . fall from his
horse; aud through sickness and power
ty lost my situation. 1t was then,
when almost starving, that brought
you toI,hs Founding Hospital and left
you there. Mr.. Arlington, the wealthy
banker, whose ohildless wife pinned for
a babe to love and care for, saw you,
Twas attracted by your infantile beauty,
learned your true history and adopted
you. Mrs. Arlington died when you
we're . school. girl, and your foster ia
Their has never seen DIT TO disclose 20
yoa the secret Of your birth. Claribsl,
do not hate and dsspise me; so help me
Gsdl | am yoar motheri"
The poor girl reeled as though she
had received mortal blow.
She pat out her arms, cropping wild
ly through the sudden darkness that
had come upon her.
"Woman!" said Winthrop stsrnly,
show do We know that you are lot an
imposterH" i
"Cau Mr.. Arlingtonf" she answered
quietly, task him il have not spoken
truly. Then visit the hospital Of
which told you, there You will find q
record OF everything, and also q por-
trait OF Claribsl as she was when q
babe. Besides, do you not see," she
added piteously, that she resembles
me2 Looki"
She tossed back her dingy shawl,
and stepped beneath the blazing chan
delier.
A long, searching glance, and Rich.
ard Winthrop turned away with a
lgroan.
lie could not doubt her assertion,
tor, despite the difference in years and
station, despite the purity of one face
and the heavy footprints Of sin on the
other, there was no mistakiDg the re-
semblance.
But he rang the bell and requested
Mr.. Arlington's presence.
The old man came; and there, with
bowed head and trembling voics, 70
peated and confirmed the young wo-
mans story.
"Why did you not tell me- this be
foreY' demanded Richard Winthrop.
IL feared you would no longer
care for ClAribel. "ihe mut:sred broken
lily; "that, knowing Of the life her mo-
Their had led, you would turn from nv
darling. And Claribel loves You,
dearly Richard. 1t would break her
heart"
.And you could misiudge mel" cried
Richard Winthrop. IL love Claribel--
not her wealth.
He drew near the trembling girl and
caught her slender form in his arms.
"Look up Clsribel," he whispered,
"the time has come to prove my love
for you. No sin Of yoar mothers can
mar your purity, my stainless darling.
Ny heart is yours now and forever. b.
nv wife at once, Claribel."
But abe turned awsy with sad
smile; approaching the poor eutcast,
she took her trembling hand.
"She is my mother" her voice rang
ont like silver bell, "where abe goes.
will go" My place is at her side"
'God bless youl God bless you'll
moaned the woman, falling on her
knees before the girl. "Oh, l am glad
to die with my bsby's arms about me,
my own ,hild at my side. L"
She choksd 3 little; her head fell for
ward on Clsribel's knee; when they
> raised her the costly velvet robe was
dyed with her life blood.
The poor outcsst had found home
where the worlds storms could no
more reach her, aud where "peace
flo weth like river" etsrnally.
They buried her from the Arlington
mansion, and Cisribel would not con,
sent that the truth should be longer
concealed. 1t was her mother, and oil
possible honor was paid to her mem
ory.
When she was buried away ont Of
sight, Mr.. Arlington took his darling
abroad for season; and when she re-
turned, she laid her little hand in
, Richard Winthrop's, and standing be-
fore the altar, took the solemn vows
: which bound her for life to the noble
man who had proved his love to be
disin tsrested and pure, and who was
worthy Of the prizs he had won.
-S-~@s