Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-04-06
1t had stopped storming.

Miss Martha inspected her brother
across the breakfast table with anxious
eyes
Gabriel. you look "a if you hadn't
been TO bed all night. You amt well.
Are YOU going to work."
NO" he said absently. "it is Valen-
tines day"
This is my day. Aunt Martha, laugh
ed Valentine. Ppm going to have COM
pany." Without further apology she
left the table and entered the parlor
whore she stood look ng out of the
window across the square.
al wonder if that is all NINE" she
said to herself. And in the meantime
Gabriel explained rs rapidly us pos
sible to his sister
1t was noon when a carriage drove
up and "a man hardly any older than
Gabriel alighted. Valentine was in the
parlor when he entered. The two gazcd
at each other with quiet tolerance.
Gabriel came hastily from the sitting
room. but Miss Martha held back, not
yet having recovered from the news.
Il suppose this is the young lady"
the stranger remarked. "May / ask
her name9' He was tall. bearded, ele-
gantly dressed and complacent.
MY name is Valentine Oakley, at
present, and for that matter TIL
choose to change it,"
The stranger smiled.
Il have no doubt YOU are my
daughter. Very much like your poor
mother
MIR. Oakley. NAV | trouble You TO
let me see the infants garments what
ever YOU have kept And the nOte-is il
legible? Ali, YES. Poor Susan's writing.
| was in Europe, trying to better things
for us both when il happened. The
child was born IN my absence. And my
wife Il ed before | could return. think
it was her dea to leave the infant at
her fat hers door. The sister. Della,
thought she would alter the arrange
ment-lcayc the child elsewhere. Della
WIS ALWAYS jealous; in fact | NAV say
Della was highly mcrcenary. When
returned to find my wife dead. | could
learn nothing of the child except
that ms f. had said she would give
It away 10 friends. The Forresters
knew moth NJ OF it. | suppose
YOU could be ready to accompny me at
Observation-Disclosures
"Where?' she on ried lacon caly.
30 take possession of your fortune :"
"O;' She paused. 81 think | should
like to know more about you. first.
You don seem very much like faith
er who has just recovered his child"
The stranger smiled.
"My dear. he answered afiably, Il
dare say | shall grow very fond Of you
in time. You are really very charm
ing. At present confess nv chief OBJ
iect in rcclaiming Won is that | may
through YOU Of course, receive some
advantage from the wealth which
would have been your mothers. my
wife's. but which is now yours. B. the
way there are some certain conditions
You are 10 assume your grandfather :
name with your own. Your own. that
is, my name is Smythe. not smith. YOU
know. bur SIN lhc. You will become
Miss Smvthe-Forrcster, very pretty
combination aud quite good enough for
society. Oh course YOU VIII enter society
in New York. The property here IS
but fraction. You Will be worth a
million or So And | will DO your
guardian.
Miss Martha came in softly and sat
down. She was awed by the figure
mentioned Valentine breathed rapid
ly. She was pale with small red spot
i'm either cheek. Gabriel Oakley was
still paer He did not seam TO hear
what Mr.. Smythe was saying. Perhaps
he wondered if they could hear his
heart throb and certa n words that beat
upon his BRAN. II have done this, my.
self need not have let any one know
how she came to rs. Now she is going
away, forever
Then he ard his name spoken.
MIR Oakley. there W II. of course. be
your claim tor the care of-of Miss
SIN, the orrester--durmg all these
years. should fancy on would say
perhaps two or three hundred year
Make it an even five thousand for the
seventeen years. Or more, if YOU like.
you know
Gabriel started. The blood surged
into his face. I'VE cared for Valen-
tine because we loved her-not for
money! he said
VERY true. very true. Still Miss
SmN the-f Ofrtslcr cannot DE- under OBJ
legations to any one. Valentine. my
dear. Get ready and come with me. -
Ere Gabriel had realized it. the girl
was out OF tho room and back again.
clad for tho street. Then the truth fell
upon him with stunning force.
valentine, he said looking rs if
he would die. 'you-you arc going
away?'
Yes, I'm going" tho girl laughed
blithcly. Goodbye. Aunt Martha
Good bye. Uncle Gabre I'm quite
ready. Mr.. Smythe. daresay | shall
call on father, later on. At present
you will be-convenient to have, you
know.
They were at the door when she
looked back.
Uncle Gabriel are YOU cryingP
That settles it. | won't 90 She
turned and So zcd his hand.
valentine. said her father sharply
"Go, 20" said Gabriel choking It,
tie.
VERY well I'll 60" she cried pet
tishly. and was out of the door. when
something caused her to run back q