The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-12-25

THE
ANONYMOUS LETTER
The Strange History Of Il
Scrap Of Paper.
CHAPTER VII.
CrIAIDTF' z uO7JE


large, old-fashioned brick structure III
the suburbs of Philadelphia; of antique
design, its gables and turret-lke proiec-
tlons peepiug out here and there through
the rich foliage make it a pleasing and
picturesque spot to gaze upon. A close
cropped and orderly lawn stretches out for
some distance in front, and smooth, hard
asphal.um walks wind from the gateway in
and out, among fresh ripping fount-
aims that send their spray high in
the air, and round about sweet smell
ing beds of roses. \ cool and
beautiful retreat, into which, through the
medium and vision of Imagination, we viii
walk unchallenged. A wide and high por-
tico sweeps round the house, and the large.
low-cut windows are thrown high up to adj
init the soft, cooling breeze.
This is the home Of our former acuuaint-
ance, for on the door, engraven IL highly
polished plate, we see the name Philip Ray
mond.
The interior of this beautiful abode is
fully IN keeping with It's external surround
ings richly upholstered furniture, soft veil
vet carpets streWn with costly rugs of
paint design, beautiful oil paintings, and
heavy drapings of the Oriental style denote
great wealth.
Seated at a piano, lightly touching the
y
white summer gown of fieecy material.
Her rich dark hair is coiled gracefully about
her head. Near the window, languidly re-
clln-ng IN an easy chair, sits an elderly lady
of fine appearance, perhaps fifty years of
age. Her hair is a beautiful silver color.
but her complexion is fresh and even rosy,
and her kind, motherly face devoid of any
selI lance of wrinkle. As we glance in
ere the young lady, whom We know to be
Claudio, turns to the elderly lady, remark
ing:
They will probably be here some time
this week, aunty, and | know that YOU will
like them"
You speak in riddles, my dear, whom
do you mean by they" and she smiles ten
Derry as she speaks.
"Ah, aunty, You dear old tease, you know
who | mean; Mr.. Hargrave and Mr.. War
ner, Of coUr-e.'
oh, yes. The young gentlemen Philip
entertained at the mill. Quite romantici
/ wish your father wouldn't insist upon
your going with him to that outlandish
place. You have not freed your face from
tan vet"
But, oh, it feels so nice out there. One
feels so free, and then the little lake is de-
hghtful. | wish we could pursuade you to
20 with MS once.
The idea 90 out there?" holding up
her hands IN we'll simulated horror. To be
eaten up by mosquitoes and snakes. Ugh
Won make me shudder; but III tell you
what we will do, Claudie, we Will take a
uip to Long Branch before the season is
over. What do you say TO that?"
That would be real Meet There Is n
'ack Of enthusiasm III her answer. which
her aunt notices at once.
Why. Claude, / thought that YOU would
be delighted, and l had planned this for
Won with great deal Of pleasure;' and her
and face assumes grieyed expression,
which brings Claudie to her side at once,
and kneeling at her feet, she saws quickly
Forgive me If | seemed not to care
know you are always thinking of me and
doing for me- Indeed, | should be de-
lighted to go, aunty, only it seemed so
pleasant to be at home with you once more. ;"
There, child, pressing a kiss upon her
bow, and smiling; whom should | think
Of, if not you All, there's the postman at
the door"
I'm go and get the mail, aunty." And
sprnging to her feet, she darts through the
open window to the piazza. and soon re-
turns bringing several parcels.
There's letter for Miss Helen Raw
mond, handing it into the outstretched
hand of her aunt, three for Philip Ray
4 lol
Claudio Raymond: | wonder whore it's
from. Why, its from Pittsburgh A rich
color foods her face, but her aunt is deeply
interested in her own letter and notices her
rot. Quietly Claudio leaves the room.
then running lightly up long flight of
stairs, she enters her own pretty, little
apartments. She seats herself bv the win
dow and glances at the letter ere she breaks
the seal. queer sensation creeps over
Ler as she gazes at the writing a sort of
fear undetinable. Summoning her cour-
age, she broke the seal and unfolded a
sheet, from which dropped another sheet
much soiled and worn. Scarcely noticing
1t, she glanced over the letter IN her hand.
1t ran thus:
"PITTsBURGH, Pa, July 10, ISS-.
Miss Claude RAYMOND: Having a
sincere regard for your future welfare.
hareby disclose to you few facts concern
ing a person of your acquaintance who.
have reasons for believing, has been I'M
justly and dishonorably acting toward YOU.
! refer to Mr.. Richard Hargrave. young
man who, though bound to another by the
ties of matrimony. does not hesitate to paw
his attentions to any young lady he may
meet. | know that You are unaware of his
past history. and, therefore, deem it my
duty 10 inform You. in order that YOU may
my word uuproyen. | inclose YOU a letter
addressed to him from his wife. a letter
which accidentally came into m possession.
l also send you newspaper containing a
notice OF his marriage, which occurred in
this city few months ago. Believing that
you viii feel thankful for information
which will deliver you from the schemes of
an unworthy and dishonorable wretch, /
remain. truly. A FRIEND"
The letter fell to the floor. She did not
faint or cry aloud, but sat there like a
statue, white as marble. Her lips were
colorleSs, her eyes vacant. One hand she
pressed against her heart, as if to still its
beating. Fully a minute she ST. thus.
scarcely breathing. Then with low moan
she sank upon her knees beside the couch.
and with her face buried in her hands
sobbed Historically.
Her idol was by one fell blow shattered
before her. You who have for weeks or
months concentrated your thoughts. your
dearest hopes, upon some object. until II
seemed to enter in and form q very part of
your life. some object which had become.
aye, even sacred to yourself; YOU who have
then seen your fondest hopes lie shattered
at your feet, can realize how, all at once.
the world seemed changed to her, seemed
darker, duller. Her senses seemed paral-
wed, numbed. and she could not under
stand or grasp it all.
Her grief is spent at last, and the fearless
eyes are raised TO heaven, as she pravs God
70 deliver her from this unholy love that
has taken possession of her heart, her
soul, her self.
Mother In heaven, she cries, forgive
your child this sin. Oh. how could I
know, how could help. He seemed so
kind, so good, so noble, and vet he was so
base, and God forgive me, I love him. Oh.
it can't be so, it can't be So" Her glance
falls upon the soiled letter, and mechani-