Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1886-02-13
For voiir Kindness. !"


Meanwhile another visitor had appeared
upon the scene. According to his usual
habit, he had gone directly to the library
without sending up his NAME Tor Robert
Aylmer was a constant and privileged
guest at the Churchills.
His surprise and CONSERVATION were
great at finding Alma curled up in huge
easy chair, her golden head buried In its
cushions so that her face was hidden from
would break.
At the sound Of her convulsive sobs
Robert paused In dsmay for an instant.
Then he went forward and tried to turn
her face SO that he could see her as he
questioned.
Please, Robert, go away; when you
know what do you'll never want to see
mo again."
| Roberts answer was to kiss her.
When that time comes, my little Alma,
! it will be when the sun stops giving its
light. l couldn't live without seeing you
every day, and when We are married
shall not let you out OF my sight at ALL"
| Alma raised her eyes with a piteous
look up to the bright handsome face.
THAT will never be, Robert / have
Just heard the most dreadful woman say
that am not Alma Churchill at all, but
her-that horrible creature's-very own"
| very IlkClJ 6tOiy, 1hoU-
ert Indignantly chow did she dare?"
But it is true. saw 1t on mammals
face. She looked as though death-blow
had been given her."
well, they can't say you are not my
wife after we are married and you are
the only girl I'll ever marry, whatever
your name may be before it Is Alma
Aylmcr.'
So when Mrs. Churchill came in upon
them, instead of finding Alma in tears as
she had expected, she saw face Of bloom
ing sweetness, marked with sorrow.
Her task had been rendered an easy
one by the help OF Roberts apparent in
difference to the discovery of the truth
which had been SO shocking to Alma hcr-
self.
But away from Alma, Robert no longer
held that undismayed front. His mother
was proud imperious woman who had
welcomed an alliance with the Church
ills but how would she regard Alma when
she should learn that she was only an
adopted daughter?
But youth is hopeful and brave so
Robert did not wholly despair of winning
his mother over to his own opinions.
All arguments proved unavailing with
the woman who had thus burst In upon
the sunshine Of happiness which until
then had gilded the lives ofthe Churchills.
The only hope left lay in the decision
OF the tribunal before which the case was
to be argued.
Both sides Of the case had been heard.
and apparently nothing remained but to
await the legal decision. which was to
give Alma either to the arms of the
adopted parents who had loved and cared
for her so tcndcrly during her whole life,
or to the miserable, and until now, ne
glectful mother.
But suddenly there came n stir Of ex-
element as Il rcspectable-looking middle
aged woman rose and pressed forward to
, the front.
: please, your honor, l came In here
from curiosity, but find my steps were
, led for good. l have been trying to find
, Maria Connell TO set right a wrong. nnC
to bring Joy to All unhappy mothcr's
heart. nursed her ut the hospital, a.
the time that another young woman was
: there, who had apparently been dcserte,
, by her husband. and had come there fo
aid In her hour OF extremity
q AFTER Maria left found out that some
, thing had happened which had set every
Ling wrong, and since then I've done m,
G best to get chance to set 1t straight
l. Maria was strong and hearty, but he
!. babe was puny and weak and died.
r "Just then the other young mother haC
faint which we all thought would end IL
u death, and the living healthy babe wa
put in Maria arms ; the nurse who dit
l. it thinking, no doubt, 1t made little diff
. ference as to which had the little one
~ had been called out of the room, SO
Il rs l said, knew nothing of 1t till later
don't know whether Maria knew the
had changed the babies or not. But
can prove what l say"
Upon investigation 1t was found tina
Alma was indeed the child Of the othe
patient, and that she had no longer an
cause to blush for her origin.
Her true mother was the daughter O
wealthy English gentleman. and ha'
fallen in love with handsome, stalwar
young farmer, the son Of ono of he
fathers tenants.
Yielding to her lovers opportunities
she had consented to a clandestine mai
riage, and accompanied him to America.
While in search Of work he had me
with an accident, and had been taken d.
rectly to the hospital, where he lay In q
unconscious state for weeks.
During that time his unfortunate youn
wife, who had been Graded In luxur
until her marriage with him, had sough
a refuge as We have heard, and had give
birth to her child In charity institution
The young couple had been reunited
but only to be separated by death in
few months. Then Almas mother ha
gone home to her fathers house.
or course this change Of parentage pr,
duced corresponding change Of affair