Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-04-06
CHAPTER III.

Immediately after 1 had left Mrs. Van
Dusen'S the test OF the company had also de-
parted, with the exception Of one or two bos-
om-friends OF Susette's, who intended remain
ing with her till the newly married pair start
ed in the evening. Harley was then in the
room alone with Mrs. Van Dusen, and turn
ing over the contents of desk which he had
forgotten in his hurry in leaving the ship, and
which sent on shore after him, he took out
miniature of his father, taken some twenty
FIVE years before. This he handed to Mrs.
Van Dusen, saying: "There is my father at
the age of twenty"
"Why, this is likeness of Charles Smith,
not of your father! Where did you get it ?"
exclaimed Mrs Van Dusen excitedly.
II got it from my father himself. He was
Charles Smith when it was painted; but some
three or four years afterward lie Unexpectedly
inherited large estate, and with it took the
name of Harley. But how strange all this is !!
Did you knew him that you recognize the
miniatme?'
ooh do not ask me,'' cried Mrs. Van Du-
sen, with much agitation; 81 can hardly bear
the thought of it. But speak-speak truly.
Have you always been called John Harley 20
"No. Till was nearly ten years old was
called Johnny Harison.n
'Fasten the door! Call nobody. Water,
water ~ gasped Mrs. Van Dusen, in hoarse
whisper, as she dropped OH to the sofa close to
which she was standing In a few minutes
she burst into sobs; and as he was pressing
the tumbler Of water to her lips, she clasped
him round the neck, crying: My boy my
boy! My son ! my son %
Eyes, dear mother, your son now; ana l
hope to be a loving one. But why does tile
fact of your having known my father excite
you SO terribly % replied Harley gently, as he
returned her caress.
s'My SONNY own son. I tell you . And
l am indeed and truly your mother. Ioul
fathers father wrote to me that you had died
when six months old {; and some months before
that your father-my husband-had died III
India of sunstroke 0 wicked, wicked, wick
ed, thus to deceive me, as he must have de-
ceived your father"
1t was Harley now, according to the poor
fellows piteous narrative, that was the moS'
overcome. He estood over his mother in speech
less amazement, while the horror of his posi-
| ton gradually unfolded itself to him.
At this moment Susette came to the door
and finding it bolted, knocked and called hin
by name. Harley could not speak. But nov
Mrs. Van Dlsen showed fora time the strong
er nerve of the two. Controlling her feeling
wonderfully, she rose, went to the door ant
calmly said ".John and l, dear, have som
business to arrange connected with your mar
riage. Leave us an hour or two, for we haV
much to do. Now, do go when ask you, TO
our time is but short"
Answered, but far from satisfied, the youn|
bride went reluctantly from the door; AM
Mrs. Van Dusen returned to the sofa, ant
asked Harley to give an account OF his earl
youth.
He told her that his first recollection wa
when, about five years DID, he was at the sea
side with lady, Mrs. Jones, with whom h
remained till put to a boarding-school Sh
was very kin, to him and loved him exceed
ingly, and of en spoke to him of her own littl
boy, who was dead, and would appear veXe
that he did not remember him, which he coul
not say he did. At seven years of age he Wa
sent to day school and two years later
gentleman W o had often come to see him too
, him away ar put him to another school, a
the same tim telling him that he was his fl
ther, and / nat his proper name was Joh
Smith Harley.
Further explanations between Mrs Van DIT
sen and Harley only served to confirm the as
founding intelligence that he was her sol
; whom she had hitherto believed to have die
in infancy. Harley had also been informe
, that his mother had died when he was quit
young.
: And your father-my husband" aske
Mrs, Van Dusen, sis lie still alive 20
t |. Harley answered in the affirmative.