Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1888-04-06

then | heard strange sound. Ii was
"A baby crying Right on the stoop
close TO the front door. there was a
bundle done up in shawls and things.
| stopped down and picked it up. Poor
little thing! | says. Then. just as
was feeling for INV key. | turned and
saw something white on the floor Of the
stoop. II looked like handkerchief.
lpicked it up and put it in my pocket.
and went in. My sister Priscilla heard
me and got up. Priscilla | says.
here $ dear little baby. Somebody
left it on our steps.
go on" said Valentine indistinct-
~.
Gabriel took deep breath. His
hands were crossed on his lap.
Priscilla was real tcnder-hearted
girl he resumed. "She was only
about 20. She was pleased with the
baby as II child with new doll. She
wanted me to promise her she could
keep it always Then she began to ex-
am ne is little cloths for some initial
sign or clue or other. There wasn't a
sign of anything till she pulled of its
cloak and found pinned to its dress
note written in IA fine. lady's hand. I've
kept the note all these years. 1t said:
Pity the innocent child; the mother
needs no pity Priscilla took the baby
into her own bed and went to my
room. Then | remembered the hand
kerchief I'd found in the stoop. | took
il out of my pocket and examined it.
1t hadn' been dropped on purpose for i'm
the corner. plan rs day. were three let
ters. When | read them / remembered
that the woman-the lady-had run
across and gone into Forester
grounds, folded up the handherch eff
and pat it away safe | made up my
mind never to tell Priscilla or Martha
If | could keep the secret. why
shouldn't |? What was the finding of
the handkerchief. anyway. that |
should take the risk Of blasting any
woman'S rcputat on?'
Valentine leaned toward him with a
little gasp. What do YOU mean?'
she cried "Who was the woman?
Where is the handkerchief-wh let
terS were on it?'
Gabriel passed his hand over his fore
head.
BE patient he said ut is long
story. The woman was. | believed. the
daughter of Simeon Forester. The in
itials on the handkerchief were ID. A.
+. He took something wrapped in
soft paper from his pocket Here"
he sad. 'it is. took it from my old
trunk this afternoon.
Valentine eyed it pass onately IT
was very fine. quite old fashioned. and
the lavender of Gabrlels old trunk had
perfumed II.
Take it,. she said iiercely after n
little. and threw herself back in the
char. The color faded from her
cheeks. She began to look almost
haggard Her pride was struck to the
earth.
Della Ann Forester had d ed unmar-
ried.
There's more to be told, " said Ga
brie Is he took back the soft square of
linen
She sat up suddenly.
'Of course there was a secret mar
rlage." she said. 'If-if Della Aun
FORESTER was ms mother"
Gabriel shook his head.
Della Ann FORESTER died single,
he said gravely But 49,. YOU see
why kept the secret To-day re-
4
haven't even showed it TO YOUR Aunt
Martha | think it is from your
ather.
My tather,' she echoed contemptu.
ously.
Yes " Gabriel spoke more rapidly.
He seemed anx Gus TO have done.
He II be here in the morning. If
what he supposes is true, then you're
the daughter of. not Della Ann. but
Susan Forester. his wife, and heir TO
tho Forester estate.
Valentine rose.
II cant real 10 what you've told
me- she said. II want to think about
it. Is there anything more to tell me
now?"
no said Gabr ell, thickly. nothing
moro now.
She was herself again. She swept
toward the sttiug-room. Suddenly
she turned her splendid eyes upon
him.
AT TIA should prove true. perhaps"
she 81 d. YOU think me as good as
Walter Masury.
Gabriel heard her 60 up stairs to her
room.
ii' hiiNh'H hOOi bItutu anu MISS
Martha appeared She had finished
the dishes without the usual assist.
ance from Valentine. and she had
managed to work off some of her
wrath.
Asleep. GabrielP' she asked set
Ting herself in the char Valentine had
vacated. and taking up her KIN ting.
MY land! how the lamp is Smokingr'
is itP" said Gabriel. With an hyster-
ical laugh. Martha do YOU think |
ever ought to get married?'
Gracious exclaimed his sister. II
don't know. Maybe; if Won got SEN
sible woman along Of some property
There II come time when | won't be
able to do for on. Gabr ell ~ Gabriel
nerves were none the steadier FOR her
decision.
How old a woman would require,
Marlha?'
Miss Martha calculated conscen-
ouSlv.
About 40. I should say. You'll be
so or near it, then.
Gabriel was lent. Miss Martha