West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1888-02-16


Iva fell TO me strangely she began.
II am the daughter of clergyman, and
while teaching music in NV native viii
lage in the West it happened that one
winters night some years since-a night
not unlike what this promises to be-my
father and | were startled by means at
our windows. Investigation showed "A
woman and child. Both were nearly
frozen, and the woman, once in the
heated room, swooned. We summoned
physician, but she recovered cousc GUS
ness only 10 lose IL again until we found
mat she was dying. Toward the
last the poor creature muttered wildly
and incoherently, and seemed TO be
In mortal terror OF punishment for
some great crime. Just at the last, how
ever she became entirely rational. and
made frantic efforts with her diving
breath TO tell us all about the child but
the most we could understand was that
Eva belonged to wealthy parents, aud
that something would prove her identity.
Sewed up In the rags wrapped about the
baby girl we discovered the diamond
crescent, which is strangely engraved IN
ciphers, unintelligiblc to stranger, but
no doubt significant enough to the
owners, whom we naturally suppose 10
be little Eva's parents, for this was evil
IDENTITY what the poor woman meant to
convey
My father and l accepted the trust
thrown upon sby that mysterious death
as commission from heaven - said Eva's
guardian angel, with a soulful smile
which disclosed a rich, beautiful nature,
and we set about TO find the parents.
For a long time we advertised, but TO no
purpose. Many replies came, but TO none
oil these people did our little Eva belong.
At last, after my fathers death, which
occurred three years ago, certain that
EVa's parents were not 10 lie found in
the West, ! sold my property there, com
ing to New York in the hope of obtain
ing pupils here, and ut the same time
good legal talent TO push the work of
establishing my darling's identity. We
nave not been very successful so far.
felt myself in n dilemma Here was
a beautiful young woman who had evil
IDENTIFY sacrificed all her worldly goods To
what she believed divincly appointed
mission, and for all | knew had at this
moment neither money nor food, GER
tainly not fuel for the morrow's bitter
weather, for little Eva had innocently
given that fact away, and yet she would
not make a moan which would give me
the cue &c her necessity, or make it pos
sible for me TO offer pecuniary assistance.
WHAT should | do about 1T alll |
cogitated over and over again. "Retire
at once, now that the business for which
you came is ended" said the convcn-
tlonallties. But you cannot leave these
two penniless and fricndlcss in big
city" urged the heart within me. and
the latter argument seemed the stronger
of the two, so | broke forth at last, awk-
wardly for am not a man Of tact any
tlme), but TO the point. "You accepted
the care of little Eva as a commission
from Heaven when strange fate
brought her to your door, and why may
not accept the care Of both of you as
my commission until something better
can be donep
The effect of this speech was simply
startling. Miss Adele flushed and turned
pale by turns, but she said, looking
straight at me, with womanly courage
flashing from her large violet eyes: "Sir.
you have been so kind to my dear little
Eva that will not believe you intend
less to me-"
God knows that do not, " replied.
feelingly. Pardon me, but your little
charge has give me some idea of how YOU
are situated; would like 10 befriend
you both while you need n friend"
Miss Adele searched my face long and
earnestly to discover if perchance there
lurked some sinister motive there before
she said Sir, your offer is very cx-
traordinary one"
"Not more so than your own course in
sacrificing yourself and all that you pos
sessed to this child's cause"
But that was the will of Heaven for
me, Miss Adele said with deep serious
ness, 81 could not do less. But" she
added, after moment, we do indeed
need friend"
80 you suppose that / would tres.
pass longer upon your privacy were IL
not so" asked earnestly, may, trust
inc and you shall have no cause to re-
gret itr'
Then Miss Adele spoke out like the
large souled woman that she was: "I
viii trust you, sir, for my little Eva's
sake"
Matters proved quite as bad as /
feared. They were at the end OF their
money, and no immediate prospect for
getting more opened before them. Miss
@A'fe''Nf Ntiy'1 iihnANNl BAtAo ndl Dtfu
recognized as pre- eminent in her native
village, had thought it would be easy
enough to secure pupils in q great city
like New York, but alas from bitter ev.
pcuenCe she had learned that this com
mcrcial Mecca towards which so many
young aspiiants for success turn their
footsteps held but disappointment for
her
The end OF q long discussion OF the
pros and cons involved. resulted i'm Miss
Adclles accepting assistance from me ne
% loan and 4, in turn. PROMISED her
pupils from among my friends. taking
upon my shoulders the doubtful task of
c0cr,ing all the fathers and mothers Of
ms acquaintance into giving their chill
dren over 20 hcrtraininQ, beginning with
my own mlrricd sietcr. Aud it was
fortunate that / made my beginning
there else it, is probable that I shon'd
nlvo miscrably failed in my undertak-
ing for my sister Mrs Mcrwin-in-
formed me scOnfuily when I laid my plan
before her az cannot be thankful enough.
Tom, that ] am tho first one TO whom
YOU unfold your QuixOic scheme. for
nothing could be more ruinous 10
eirl's prospects situated as Miss Adele
is. than TO have q bachelor Ike yourself
going around advocating her cause.
Just take me TO see the girl, and 10 she