The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1885-08-20


making complete mistake"
"oh, no, sir-no mistake. How can a
father ba miStakenl Oh, my pretty boy-my
long-loat lamb Come to me and give me
one lrsl Como 10 your fatherW
He shot out his arms so yehemontly that
Harry was frightened, and instead OF accept
ing the invitation ran 10 Herbert, and hiding
his face against his leg set up howl, which
brought In Mrs Miller, who at once whipped
him away. Hhe had strict Instructions from
Beatrice mover 30 let the child become q null
Aance. Horaceand Herbert, with archod eye
brows sat staring at their visitors,
eve may tako our little boy back with US
at once, slr-may we notr asked Rawlings
"Certainly not,n said Horace ''You have
not given US the slightest proof 1t IA your
child.n
"But II Ia, hr, Ilmow, and Maria knows
II is"
"Tell us how II came here. Until you can
do that we cannot admit your claim for an
Instant II Ia abSurd-you must DO mis-
talSen.n
"Aburdr' echoed Herbert
"Tell me whose child II Ia, II II isn't miner
retorted the man. "Do that and will 60
away. don't caro- how II came here. IlSnow
ID. Irecognlzo II. II Ia my poor lost little
boy, and will have IT,"
The man grew more excited than before,
Horace was intensely annoyed. He turned 10
tho woman. "Youseem 10 have some sonse,n
he said; "do you claim this chlldf
She glanced at her husband and tears
prang Into her eyes. "Yes, sr,n sho said,
II believe ID IA my child,H Tho situation
grew worse and worse. IL was well for the
boy that he had made such friends Of Horace
and Herbert or ho must have been sacrificed
forthwith, II only 30 rid tho house OF his
self-styled father and mother,
As IL was tho Talberts temporizod; they
promised TO consider the matter for n fow
days, and lot Mr. Rawlings know tho decision
they might come 10. Mr., Rawlings wrote on
his business card tho namo Of u hotel at
which he was staying, and having again and
again asserted that no would not be robbed
Of his rebound son, at last, 10 the unspoalt-
able relief of our friends, drove away In his
gig. .
Never had Horace and Herbert boon placed
In such difficulty. They sat strol.lng their
boards for at least half an hour, but could
zee no way out OF II. Tho arrival OF the
child ON that evening Of last year was as
nothing compared 10 tho present dilemma,
Then, had they chosen 10 use 10, thoro was at
least a short cut out Of the difficulty; now
there was none. Tho more thoy thought tho
more improbable IL seemed that these people
could be the parents Of tho boy. And yet
tho man at least asserted that II was 80, ns II
tho matter was beyond doubt, Tho belief
that the child was "some one's' child still
clung 10 both Horace and Herbert. II
seemed, moreover, an absolute insult that
tho child Of such persons ns Mr. and Mrs,
Rawlings should have been sent 20 Halle
wood House, Why should they hayo been
chosen out Of all the world TO have this
child foistod upon thoml Why did not the
unknown sender return II 20 It's rightful
homei Tho whole claim was mlstalio
whether willful or accidental, II was a mis-
take. Fond as they had really grown Of tho
little boy, the Talberts were far too just TO
mink Of wishing 20 keep him from his lcgti-
mate owners; but they had no intention OF
mrrcndering him 10 tho first claimant
Besides, whnt about Boatrleol what would
she sayl Beatrice, 20 whom tho child seemed
as the apple Of hor eye. Bitterly they blamed
themselves for ever having yielded 10 her
request that she might keep tho founding,
But what was done was done, and could not
now DO helped.
Horace wrote 10 Beatrice by the next post.
Ho told her that somo persons had called
and claimed her boy. Tho whole thing, ho
said was great puzzle 10 him and 10
Herbert. They had deferred their decision
for a few days Ifposdblo they would do
nothing until her return.
Beatrice was alone whcn sho read that let
ter. She turned deadly pale and seemed 10
gasp for breath. Then she rang the boil and
ordered her things 10 DO packoA AZ broak
fast she quietly told Lady Cla1aon that sha
found she must return TO Blaohtown by tho
next train Sho gave no reason for this ab-
rupt departure, and her sudden dotormina'
tlon annoyed Lady Clauson immensely. Sir
Maingay said nothing. His daughter had
long ago shown him she was 0ntlro mistress
Of her own actions.
"Mark my words,n said Lady Clnuson az
soon as Beatrice had departed; 'that girl
will some day do something which will dis
grace the f0milyh
ooh, nonsense, my love- sald Sir Maingay,
who had now boon married long enough 10
find out that his beautiful wifo was not all
his fancy had onco painted her,
Beatrice reached Ilnalowood House quito
unexpected, Tho Talbcrts were out, no the
girl ran straight 10 tho nursery "Whoro IA
my boyin she cried, 30 vohcmcntly that she
startled Mrs. Miller who know nothing OF
tho puIport Of the visit paid yesterday. Tho
boy was there all safo, aud Mas Clauson,
without removing her outdoor garments,
huggcd and caroSod her pot until sho was
told that her unclOs had como In. Sho won't
10 them ut onoo. Thoy greeted hor In
nstonishmont
"Whoth hOyo you dono about those wrctohod
pooplcN sho asked quickly, "Tho people
who claim my boy, mc0n."
my dear, wo hnvo dono nothing a. yot.n
"You will not dream Of giving him upf
~ hope wo shall not DO obliged TO-"
"Listcn, Unclc Horace" her chcclS flushed
as sho spoke, ~ will glyo him up 10 no one
no ono at oll."
~ nm sure, my dear Beatrice, you will 10
entirely guided by us, said Horace.
"Of course sho will, " said Horbort kindly,
They must have bcon eanglinO mon, ~ The
set of Miss Clausous brow did not promise
we'll for her submitting TO guidance of amy
kind.
~ shall never glvo up that boy,n sh,
saId In firm voice, ''until tho person wht
claims II gives ovory proof that IL Is his
would rather run away with him and hldt
myself"
Horace looked extremely shocked. 'Niy
door Beatrice, no said, 10 grloycs us botl
10 hear you talk 10 wildly. Tho child Is
worry nice child, but you speak OF II as II n
wcro OF our own flesh and bloodn,
Beatrice did not reply 10 this; but tho up
shot was that tho Talbcrts promised 10 write
10 Mr.. Rawlings and say that thcy hold hli
recognition Of child not eoon for moro thar
two years insufficient proof that Il was hii
own, and IN tho absence Of further evidence
declined TO entertain his claim. After This
Beatrice left them, and for somo tlmo thcy
mourned over this now aud startling phast
OF dcmonstratlvencss displayed by ono Of
thoir own kin.
Two mornings afterwards Horace opened