Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-09-24
A FORTUNE LOST AND WON IN 4
FEW MOMENTS.

'It's just spoilin that girl o yourn, ye
are, Mrs. Hardy"
II think not, Mrs. O Brien
YES, ye are. Now mark my words,
the day ii come when yell be sorry for
it,
THE idea continued Mrs. O'Brjen,
when Mrs Hardy had entered her house,
having Jenny learn to play the pianner
and Embroidery, and Frinch and her
cIeanjn house and washln FOR llyIn'
She II come to no good Of it.
Mrs Hardy had been a puzzle to her
neighbors when she first came to New
Vernon, and al the end OF ten years they
knew no more about her than at the be-
ginning-an offense which they refused
10 pardon.
Il suppose she thinks she's better than
US, saio the lady above quoted She 5
been liyin next to US goln on Ioyen year
GOV, and she hain't been IN here above
FIVE times, and she wouldn't of come at
all only because | was sick; and Jenny,
she don never go round with other girls,
but she's shy like and it amt surprisin
o1'v her mother hadn't ought TO let her
act SO.
Jenny, the subject under discussion,
was girl of thirteen. Sac attended the
parocriai school (she and der mother were
CathOlcs) and the sisters found her so In
tellieent and docile that they readily sec
ondtd the wishes Of their priest by giving
her an education above that Of the children
under their charge Jenny in turn was
devoted to them-she ran their errands,
helped them IN the school room, and
by her sweetness of temper amply re-
paid them for their forts on her be-
half.
About two days after Mrs. O'Brien 5
warning. Jennie surprised her mother by
bringing home letter. heavy with foreign
stamps.
DO you think it can be for US, mothert
See!''
Mrs. Hardy scanned the address with
the care of a person who reads with diff
Guilty.
Miss Genevieve Hardy" she read
New Vernon, New Jersey, United
States"
Maybe it's for us; open it and see,
child
Jenny looked at her mother with WON
dering eyes, then turned with curiosity to
the letter
''Shall | read it to you mother2'
A nod FROM her mother was her answer
and she read:
miss GENEyIEVE HARDY.
Dear Madam: We have inquired of the
English Consul at New York City, and at
Ter some search he has sent us your adj
dress. AS, however you may not be the
person we seek we would be obliged if you
would send Us by an early post the
details called for In the accompanying
blank.
I'VE state under oath that no harm will
accrue to any one from yonr compliance
with our request.
Respectfully yours. .-.
ARTHUR BROWNE,
OF Symonds 4 Browne, Temple Court,
London. Eng. -
Jennie laid the paper in her lap, and
took up the other paper. 1t read as rol'
lows:
Your full name and address.
Your fathers name and pre- marital
address,"
How queer!'' exclaimed Jenny.
Go on, said her mother ilnpatiently.
"A certified copy of your mothers mar
riage certificate.
The autograph assurance Of your iden-
tity with the person named above by 2 res
pOnslbe person who has known you during
your residence In America.
That's all. mother. What on earth can
1t mean? What ails you. mother? Are
you iIl?''
mo, no, child 1t is queer letter.
This man is, maybe, looking for IA lost
child, and thinks, perhaps. you are the
one"
But I'm not, am |, mother?"
Not likely. Give me the letter; I'll
ask Father Mar what to do about it.
Jenny gave her mother the letter, and so
the matter passed. Occasionally she Won
dered who the Genevieve Hardy was. and
wished it might be herself
Nearly a month passed, and then Mrs.
Hardy received another letter from tn e
same firm. Her hand trembled as she
opened it, for she knew that it related in
some manner TO her unhappy uast, the past
that hitherto she had SO carefully conceal
ed from Jenny.
There was only brief note for her
self:
Dear Madam: We thank you for your
prompt and satisfactory replies to our last
We are convinced that your daughter is
the person we seek.
Respectfully yours,
ARTHUR BRowNE, etc
There were two letters for Jenny, and the
mother face blanched as she handed them
to her. One was deeply oordered with
black, and was addressed IL a feminine
hand This Jenny laid aside to read the
other, which was in the we'll remembered
hand of the lawyer. She read ii aloud to
her mother.
Miss Genevieve Pembroke.
Dear Madam: The replies to our
questions furnished by Mrs Pembroke,
assure US that you are the daughter of
Mr.. Hardy Pembroke. lately deceased,
who resides on the property known as
Highland Hall, in misunderstanding
rs will directs that you be found, edu.
Gated in England, and succeed to the es-
tate at the age of 81; the estate to be
yours as long as you remain single, which
he desires shall be for life. In the event
of your marriage you receive $500 per
annunl, and the balance of the estate re-
yerts TO Mr.. Pembroke's cousin. John
Brandon.
Respectfully yours, etc.