The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-09-27

no longer needed, L have received
communication from Ireland, which ha
decided me to go there at once. It is
letter from an uncle of whose existenc
until now have been ignorant. Blu
read it for yourself"
This is what Thalia reads:
MY DEAR NEPHEw-I have only jus
learned, after long inquiry, that my siste
left a son, and that he and you are one ant
the same. This letter will undoubtedly
prove surprise to you, as, from my sis
ter's solemn VOW made to me as she left heI
home, 1 know thatyou never can have heard
my name. Let me explain: At an early age
your mother and myself were left orphans.
Time went by, and your mother met and
became attached to one whom beyond all
others disliked, and for just cause.
They were engaged and married, in de-
spite OF my vehement protestations. i re-
fused to sanction the marriage or be present
at the ceremony. Margaret had to the full
| the impetuous character of our family. On
| the eve Of her departure for her future home
she came to me and said: "Stephen, hence
forth do not ever expect to hear aught of
me or mine. You have chosen to wound
me In the tenderest feelings of my nature,
and to insult him who is now my husband.
/ shall never forgive you. Never again to
my dying day shall your name, or any allu-
sion to you pass my lips. sever the con-
nection between us. Should 1 have chill
dren, they shall grow up in ignorance Of
any relatives save those upon their fathers
side. 1 have pledged my husband to like
VOW, and 1t shall be kept Before I could
recover from the surprise her implacable
words caused she had gone. That was the
last time ever saw her.
Now, my nephew, your mothers VOW was
she would have gladly recalled 1t. 1 am old
and alone in the world and In sad need.
You are young and strong and to you
turn. l implore you, as the last of my
family, the onl{ one living upon whom
may have any claim, to come to my succor
II 1t be possible for you to do so.
Your uncle,
STEPHEN HARTLEY.
Mr.. Henry Holmes.
81 am glad yoH are going, Harry"
Thalia said, as she finished reading.
"Poor old man, all alone in the world
and needing aid-his is hard lot"
81 knew you would feel so, my dar-
ling" Harry answers; and then, the let
ter forgotten, they talk as lovers de-
light to do, until the moments flying by
bring at last the dreaded time of part
ing.
"Who is the drone now, Thalia Riv-
ers, l should like to be informedP" ex-
claims Ida one evening, coming into
her Cousins room fully arrayed in an
lexquisite ball costume. SIT is almost
time to be going, and here you sit with
that everlasting picture in your hand
Thalia! Thalia! haven't you forgotten
that nonsense yetP"
No, Thalia has not forgotten, al
though the last three years have been a
bewildering time to the girls shrink
ing, retiring nature. She is growing
more accustomed now to the thousand
demands and forms of society, but they
weary her infinitely.
"What do you think Rena Andrews
told me this morningp" Ida says a
month later.
"I'm sure 1 do not know" Thalia
replies, looking up from the book she
was reading.
"Well, what would you say if my
ooroneted destiny were even now on |
his way to EnglandP Renie tells me
that her cousin from Ireland is to ar
rive in time for the fete, and that with |
aim is to come veritable Cresus and |
heir to prospective title. Renie says
hat he is handsome, too, for she has
'een his picture. 1 tell you what,
rhalia, feel it in my bones-as nurse
lsed to say-that this young stranger
will not return to his ancestral acres as
as he came. Some
english girl will surely captivate him;
md why should it not be your humble
ervantP"
By the time her cousin finishes
Dhalia's face is full of the amusement
he cannot repress; but Ida is too much
with her pleasant fancies TO
office or be offended. That same after
DON the postman brings a letter to
'halia, addressed in bold, manly char
cters. Che has never seen Harry's
vriting, and yet her fingers tremble,
nd her soft cheek fushes as she opens
le envelope; for something tells her
hose hand penned her name. Inside
re only a few lines:
DARLING ITALIA Cf may still call you :
,)-This day on which | write brings you
our twenty first birthday, and the end Of
le period of our probation. II you remem
sr and still adhere to the words you said as l
e parted, send me cluster Of flowers like q
those took from you as remembrance, r
i'd which l have worn ever since close to /,
e heart that beats now as fervently for n
'Nt HAN JNN NAiI, 80 ~ 0hA ehShs shASS |
,ars ago. HARRY. Z
An address follows. The next mail
ears with it Thalia's answer. What it b
the reader may surmise. C
The weeks glide by, and at length, to a
las great delight, the day of the P
oked-forward-to garden fete dawns. v
la looks regally handsome. Thalia's b
laint simplicity of dress suits the girl b
b style well. The afternoon is waning s,
i'd as yet no distingui- he'd stranger has p
ade his appearance. a
1t is warm, and, a little tired by c.
me of lawn tennis, Thalia strolls off W
a rustic seat. Throwing aside her t.
It, she leans her head upon her hand, ii
d for awhile loses herself in happy Il
y-dream. Suddenly a step ap- h
caches, and well remembered voice lie
eaks her name. pl
With startling eyes, Thalia springs to g
r feet to find herself drawn to di
lrmly beating heart. m
''Do you know me, ThaliaP" bl
''Yes," she whispered; SIT is my te
yer come back to me-" as
He laughs-a joyous laugh. VI
I'M lo,.1s~~f,J l1 f,-