The National tribune., 1891-04-16
HE NATIONAL TRIBUNE o. THURSDAY

10 the desk. and seizing tho yellow pad Of
blanks he wrote in a clear firm hand, the fol-
lowing dispatch:
Return ut once 10 New York. telegraph
money for all expenses. have good news for
you. Wire me where 10 meet you"
The message was addressed 10 Alice Bertrand
Lyle. Stockton, California, and was signed
Sl1s Bertrand.
That night the haunted man slept pencefully-
and wakened 10 find the sun and gaslight con-
tending for hOnOrs. When the millionaire left
the breakfast table his oldest son, the mothers
coniidant, said to that lady:
Z" Father is quite like himself this morn
ing2"
The wife shrugged her shoulders. "That is
the way" she replied.
But the head OF the Bertrand household con-
tinued TO mprove-ho!dins his peace. how
ever. rs he hal douo al along. Ia his grum,
unlOvely way he seemed 10 enjoy their curious
glaucCs. Ii was now his turn 70 shrug his
shoulders and mutter softly: They are sorry
| am not crazy" At the end Of a week be
called his wife into the library.
THAT plan of ours" no said shortly, will
not work. / find il to DC dangerous"
why, how ? The girl has not dared" 49,
"The girl has done nothing. She knows OnI Y
what we told her, bat a more powerful agent IS
on our track. There. | know your mind, but
/ say 1t cannot be done. More. You must
leave me 10 deal with this question, and with
her. Nor must any questions ever be asked
the girl, If yon wonid prevent legal conse-
quenccs 20 ourselves"
Mrs. Bertrand was silent. She knew that
her husband was perfectly sane and in earnest.
"GOu agree" be asked sharply.
Certainly" she replied cOldly; eve DO not
court Gis:race-dsccri is enough 10 bear :" and
she quilted the room.
Later, on the same day, IN elegant private
vHHv. NNF..N
as the through limited from the West was COM
ing in.
The f9otman opened the door aud tall, spare,
middlc-agcd gentleman stepped out and hur-
ried through 10 the other side just as the
newly-aTTiyed passengers were coming up the
long platform, what was meant for a cordial
smile played around the stern mouth Of the
eager watcher at tho little barred gate, and
when a pretty, weary looking, sad-faced girl
came timilly forward to meet him, he took her
bag gsliantly, and then, grasping her cold,
nervous little hand, said hurredly.
" My dear Alice, that was all q wrctched mis-
take. set 10 work and have proved everything
10 my satisfaction, to ours-my wife's and
mine. You are the legitimate daughter Of
Alice aud Howard Lyle you are legal heircss
70 your mothers fortune Now, when / have
explained it all, let all forget my mistake
and your uEhappiues5. None Of our children
know Of this painful episode. Shall we three
not agree 70 bury IL out Of sight?'
"Oh God bless you, Cousin Silas you are
so good. 80 noble
The girls eyes were full Of tears. and as they
entered the carriage shining drop fell on the
hand she seized and kissed impetuousiy.
The man drew back as if the kiss had been
a coal Of fire. There was a strange look in his
eyes, wonderful solteniug OF his harsh voice
when nc spoke again.
"Forsiying is forgetting, Alice and you must
forget all idea OF gratitude. I have only tried
To be just You will come to Us, hope, as ono
Of our own, and remain until your marriage,
or you find some happier home"
Tie world in which Silas Bertrand lived was
greatly astoni5hed when II learned that the
seemingly selfish man had for years been dill
gently seeking Joint heir % his uncle estate,
and when it continued TO witness his peculiar
aud unaffected kindness 10 the orphan h6ires5,
and the girls unquestioning faith in her cousin,
the world, though puzzled, was obliged to admit
that IL had been very much mistaken.