Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1886-08-22

tice was fraud, and that my little boy lived
and that should find him. began to lay
nv plans. went first to my husbands desl
and examined everything carefully. tried
to recall everything that passed between my
husband and myself previous to going into
the Office room. could not remember tina,
he had looked In the least out Of humor O,
1 excited.
NV eyes wandered about the room when
suddenly l saw the corner Of an envelope
peeping from beneath the carpet. I sprang
to snatch it out, when picture fell from it.
then noticed letter inside. took it out,
unfolded it and read letter in delicate fem
nine hand. 1t ran;
my DEAREST PAUL
"This is probably the last time you will ever
hear of me; write to say, goodbye. Why
/ is ii we have to live separated? You don't
| love her; she is not yours, nor never will be.
/ alone am the one to love you and make you
happy. But as you still cling to her on &C.
count of the boy, must bid you goodbye,
my darling, tho it breaks my heart. Should
anything ever happen to you or to her shall
have your little child.
81 sail tomorrow or London. Farewell.
Anna"
My fingers dropped the paper as though
it had burnt them. Great God. My hus-
band false to me, and be SO blind. Ipicked
up the picture Oh! such eyes, such lips, such
hair, my eyes never saw q fairer face. Had
that beautiful viper taken my little child.
and had she put the cruel sea between our
faces? The thought was maddening. l
should go to London. 1 called my nurse
and informed her that was going to take
trip to London and she would begin packing
at once.
In few weeks was snugly fitted up in
little room in London. l went out every
day, went everywhere. was looking for
a face one l knew nothing could erase from
my memory. One day was visiting an Art
Gallery, and in looking over the pictures l
recognized the face of my dear little boy.
Oh. Joy beyond measure, he lived and l
should again feel his little arms encircle my
neck. made inquiries as to whose child he
was and the students told me he was the child
of wealthy widow living in London. Could
they give me her name? No, but the lady
would be at the place on Wednesday at two
o'clock, if would call could have the pleas
ure Of seeing her. I.repied that 1 should
call. drove back to my rooms and sat down
to think over the past events. Could but
find my boy and get my speech and hearing.
The latter seemed hopeless. While the tears
trickled down my wan cheeks and mourned
for my lost love and the days of happiness
that knew were lost forever, and the crushed
leaves of a mistaken trust were lying dream
lessly over heart that was broken. All.
What was that? 4 sound? Yes, my reverie
was broken by dim clamorous noise. Yes.
Oh JOY! it was really the sound of a bell and
no dream. A loud noisy bell. l stood up
half paralyzed with hope and fear. The door
burst open and Nurse rushed in frantically,
grabbing mo around the waist and jerking
me out Of the room and gasping "Fire."
was dumb. l found myself in the streets
surrounded by a lot of frantic women and
children. l never noticed the angry flames
licking up the building. but my eyes peered
nto the crowd of strange faces about me.
Suddenly there was terrific yell and every
body rushed toward clump of something
white lying still upon the pavement. l saw
a womans form lifted and q beautiful dead
face was held toward me. Grest Heavens. it
wasAnna's face. But where was my baby?
Why had she not him with her? | looked
wildly about me for a child that might be
my own. l heard gruff voice of one ofthe
fireman say; "Iere is the baby all safe but
his mother is quite dead" turned to where
the man stood, holding the little fellow in his
arms. / went up to him and held out my
hands. 1t was my baby. He looked pale
and weak and the lips lisped; "Dat is my
aser mamma" l screamed and snatched my
baby, l called him once more by name and
pressed him to my bosom.
/ could talk l could hear, l had found my
baby, l cared for nothing now only to go
back to New York and carry my darling.
l heard only that the beautiful cruel
woman had leaped from her window to es-
cape the flames and WAS instantly killed |
While was searching for her she was living
in the same building with my own child. |
took my baby home with me and content |
came back, sweet ane pure.
| am now an old woman, l sit in my easy
chair and my son wrote this little sketch .
while dictated. He has a sweet wife and /
Two beautiful children, who are Grandma's
darlings.