Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1884-05-30

'And TO become my second father.
Yes, my boy. found you, my lit
tie namesake, a sobbing boy Of twelve,
heart broken over your mothers Ill
ness and death. You know the rest
of my life history. | retired from the
pursuit of my profession, Travelled with
you, made you my one interest in life
You filled an empty house and heart,
for loved you, Hilton, as dearly as
loved my baby daughter whose child
hood is q closed, sealed book to me-
But now, Uncle George, can moth
ing be done now:
we have been in London three
years, and every month there has been
an advertisement only Myra would an
derstand in the leading papers. !
have never had one line of answer.
No, my boy, it is hopeless now! If in
the future you ever know Of my wife
or child, | trust her to your care and
generosity
1t seemed as if, in the excitement
Of his recital. Mr.. Hilton had forgot
ten the conversation that had imme-
diately suggested it
He rose from his seat, and opening
a cabinet in the room, brought back a
small box. 1t contained bracelet Of
hair with an inexpensive clasp and
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 baby's
head, our lit darling, then but three
months oil. 1t must have been some
lingering love that made Myra still
keep the bracelet like this which she
wore constantly. Wha, is the matter,
Hilton? You are as white rs death.
Nothing. Is your wife's picture in
the locket?'
Yes. You see how beautiful she
was
Il see more than that said Hilton ;
and yet Care not tell you what
hope. Will You give me one littls
hour 10 see Ii
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, tried to
read. he lived over again that past,
whose -a;norscfus :usyG"ries had been
so wildly recalled.
With Myrs's picture before him, he
thought again Of that wild, fierce love
that had been his happiness and his
blight.
WHY was | not calm, reasonable as
became my years and my position% be
asked himself, bitterly: why did
give a boys love to woman who had
lived in society and respected all its
requirements? lived an ideal life
Myra the actual one around us. Where
is Hilton What can he know? What
has he discovered Only three minu-
ties gone and it seems day since he
was here
But even before the hour was over
Hilton retvrned.
In his eagsrness to question him,
Mr.. Hilton did not notice that he
came through the drawing room to
the library where he waited, leaving
the door little open.
Where have you been:' Mr. Hilton
asked.
TO procure this" Hilton answered,
gravely. placing in his uncle's hand
the duplicate of the bracelet upon the
table.
The same braid Of sunny brown
hair. with here and there some Of ra,
ven black streaked with gray; the
same small clasp with the wee coil oI
baby curl under the glass the sam.
lettering too-Myra and George twin
ed together with fantastic scroll and
twists. For several moments there
was deep silence. The old man could
not speak. aud the young one would
not break in upon what he felt to be 8
sacred emotion. At last lifting his
head, George Hilton asked;
Does Myra live? Can she forgive
me?'
1T is wears since she died. Hilton
answered, but. surely, in Heaven she
has forgiven you. She never spoke OF
you to your child but in words of re
spect and affection. though she always
spoke of you az dead
'Mv child Do you know my child !?
Il know aud love her. Do you not
guess. Uncle George, where | saw tina,
bracelet whose duplicate | recognized
at once, whose face is a living copy OF
the one in your locket? Must tell
you that the child Mrs. Willett res
cued from poverty, and adopted for heI
own, is my cou sin, and your daue hter
'Ada Smith !!
Smith was the name her mother
thought most probably would best
conceal her identity, and Ada was the
name of Mrs Wlllett's only child, who
died in infancy
But why have you not brought he'
to me p asked Mr.. Hilton, with almost
a sob in his voice.
And as he spoke, the door Hilton
had left ajar, opened, and across thu
threshold stepped tall, beautiful girl
with sunny brown hair, and large blue
eyes, who waited timidly until hel
father came quickly to meet her.
'Annav he said, softly. Can thi
be my baby-my wee daughter! L
must be, for it is my Myra, who ha
not grown cid and gray, as | have, bu
lived in perpetual youth. MY child,
once wronged your mother, but hav'
sorrowed and repented for that wrong
Can you forgive me? p
The tears were falling fast from