Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-09-15

might suspect something he feigned hum
bleness until to-day, when his long-pent-
MP passion poured forth In your
mothers wifely indignation she was very
insulting to him, and he left when he
heard me, vowing vengeance. Both Slr
Charles and myself, with the servants
assistance, searched everyUhere, but
from that day to this. my boy, j have
never laid ewes on him. Mrs Martin,
the housekeeper, who was an old family
servant, said that while we were in Lon
don about six months before Sir Charles
had sharp attack OF cramp, and the
instant he was sufficiently recovered sent
for his lawyer to make his will. That
gentleman bad gone up to town. so Sir
Charles, being frightened for fear he
would not survive another such attack,
wrote the will himself, leaving my wife
sole legatee during her life, and to
our son Erie after her death. This
will. she affirmed, was witnessed by
Secretary Ashburton, johnson the foot
man. and herself. Now this footman
had been discharged for drunkenness a
short time before Sir Charles's sudden
death. / suppose he must be dead, as
advertised in all the English papers,
offering a reward for his appearance, but
could never get clue. The housekeeper
died Of pneumonia shortly after her old
master, leaving written statement OF
the above. Now, my theory is that
Ashburton found an entrance into the
library and stole the will. and made some
kind of bargain with Colonel Creighton to
20 into effect when the latter should be
in possession OF the estates. Ashburton
was soon afterwards heard Of as dealer
in wool in Melbourne.
Gould have lived believe ! should
have found him. and also found some
means to make him disgorge his ll-got-
ten gains. But, my son. the same
disease which carried off your dear
mother is eating my life away there
fore | leave it to you to bring this muir
derer 10 punishment. Remember, boy,
this is a fathers dying request"
1t would be impossible to describe the
different emotions with which Tina read
this communication. But when she
came to that part which spoke OF the
Melbourne merchant the poor girl could
not restrain a startled cry. ooh Can
it be-" she murmured, THAT the father
whom have never known is such vii
lain ? And he suspected Oh, of course
he did That is why he showed such
agitation when he heard my name. Oh,
Erie, my darling ] wonder you do
not hate me. What, indeed, could !,
the daughter Of your parents murderer,
be TO YOU? and she burst into pas
sion of tears
For hours Clementina paced her
room. The All-Seeing Eye alone wit
messed that terrible struggle between
right and wrong. Butthe next morning
found her calm and determined. She
had made up her mind what to do. She
was fully convinced that her father and
the Ashburton Of his story were the
same, as when upon the African coast,
during Cartoons illness, miniature
dropped from his pocket, the counter
part OF which was in the Park library.
Great was Madam Leland establishment
and concern when Tina informed her
that she wished to 20 away in secret be-
fora her father returned. The good lady
was So beWildered at first TINT she could
hardly understand what was wanted Of
her. However, her nurselng's word
had been law to her for too many years
to dispute her now; so when she saw
her distress she readily consented TO
everything. Tina wrote Carleton the
following:
Dear Mr.. Carleton, have read care
fully the letters you enclosed to me.
Again / wish to thank you for your many
acts of kindness to me. Truly have you
obeyed the Christian injunction If thine
enemy thirst, give him drink As this
vii be the last time you will hear from
me ] feel that should tell you my
plans. ] know not ichdt my father Is.
I leave here, accompanied by Madam
Leland, early tomorrow. Do not be
uneasy about me We have G4u0 be-
tween US, saved from Ursula's liberal
salary and my pocket money. | am well
educated and shall be amply able to take
care Of us by my music and painting. May
Heaven bless you as do. DO not let Il
thought OF Ioe prevent you doing your
duty to your parents memory. l shall
leave my home because nothing would
ever reconcile rae TO live on such sin
fully-acquired money. Once moro, my
own love, good-by. INA.
rrOBE CONCLUDED NEXT SUNDAY.