Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-12-02
PART ".

that he was Californian, and former CORE
Spondent of her husband. It was undeniable
that the man was wealthy, and evidently no
mere adventurer; it YVES rumored that he was
courageous and manly; but even those who
delighted in his odd humor were shocked at
his grammar and slang. It was said that
Mr.. Marvin had but one interview with his
father-in-law elect, and returned so SUI
premely disguised that the match was broken
off. The horse stealing story, more or less
CARRIED, found its way through lips that pre-
tended to decry it, yet eagerly repeated it.
Only one member of the Rightbody family
and new one-saved them from utter os-
tracism. Ii was young Mr.. Ryder, the
adopted son of the prospective head of tho
household, whose culture, manners and gen.
eral ,gance fascinated and thrilled Boston
with new sensation. 1t seemed to many
that Miss Alice should, in the vicinity of this
rare exotic, forget her former enthusiasm for
a professional life; but the young man was
pitied by society, and various plans for di
verting him from any mesalliance with the
Rightbody family were concocted.
niversary of Mr.. Rightbody's death, that a
light was burning in his library. But the
dead mans chair was occupied by young Mr..
Ryder, adopted son of the new proprietor of
the mansion; and before him stood Alice,
with her dark eyes fixed on the table.
There must have been something in it, Joe,
believe me. Did you never hear your father
speak of miner
"Never.n
"But you say he was college bred, and born
gentleman, and in his youth he must have
had many friends
"Alice," said the young man gravely, "when
have done something to redeem my name
and wear it again before these people, before
you, it would be well to revive the past But
till then"
But Alice was not to be put down. Il re-
MEMBER she went on, scarcely needing him.
"that when / came in that night papa was
reading letter and seemed to be discon.
certed."
"a letter.
'Yes; but added Alice, with sigh, when
we found him here insensible, there was no
letter on his person. He must have destroyed
it..
Did you ever look among his papers! II
found it might be clew"
The young man glanced toward the cabi-
net. Alice read his eyes and answered:
"Oh, dear, no. The cabinet contained only
his papers, all perfectly arranged--you know
how methotlical were his habits-and some
old business and private letters, all carefully
put away"
"Let us see them," said the young man, ris-
ing.
They opened drawer after drawer; files
upon files of letters and business papers accu-
rately folded and fled Suddenly Alice ut
tered a little cry and picked up quaint ivory
paper knife lying at the bottom of drawer.
1T was missing the next day and never
could be found; he must have mislaid it here.
This is the drawer, said Alice eagerly.
Here was a clew. But the lower part of
the drawer was filed with old letters not Ia
beled, yet neatly arranged in files. Suddenly
be stopped and said, "Put them back, Alice,
at once
@Whyf
Some of these letters are in my fathers
handwriting
The more reason why should see them, y
said the girl imperatively aHere, you take
part and I'll take part and ven get through
quicker
There was a certain decision and independ.
ence in her manner Which he had learned &c