The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1892-12-03
CHAPTER III.
RON THE PAST.

Edna Dean"'s heat 4uickened its
puisations as she started for the rccep-
ton room. he m ssaSe brought her
bore token OF excitement. Her mind
upon her love. u o. The myst ~ of her
faic young ii ., shA "a ,uely dreaded TO
take the step across he threshold that
might Pc tend revcla: on5 that would
distress her.
A glance through the vestibule doors
show d a close carriage with two reck-
ing hors' S. a driver on the box Had
this unusual spectacle someth ng to do
with The summons of the moment?
You sent for me, Miss Chandler. "
spoke Edna, fnquiringly, as she entered
the reception room, and then paused
abruptly.
The face of the lady principal was
pale, her manner aCitat"d. She half
arose. as if moved by I. sudden impulse,
TO greet her favorite warmly, sympa-
thetcaIly. Then, checking herself, she
sa d in a mutiled, indistinct tone of
voice:
Yes, Edna. This gentleman has come
foc VOL.
At the gentleman in question the Won
dering, per,urbad Edna was starin =.
He made 81 ght obcisan e as she ap-
peared Now, stir, p"im, severe, his
saitow face and nervous eyes rather de-
pressed her.
1T is-it is about" Hammered
Edna.
Your past? your friends" murmured
the principal. hrokenly. Yes, Edna. l
am very sorry, but your schooldays are
over"
oh Miss Chandler, don't say that
Edna gaSped the words. She com
pretended that the contamination so
deyoutly desired by her mystifiel, i'm
patient lover and herself had arrived
But the shock of the announcement,
realization of how sunny and happy had
been her life under the tender care of
the school guardians sent the quick
tears 10 her eyes and the warm color
from her face.
Then eagerly, Ion yingly, piteouslv,
she glanced at the man before her
Was he the relative she had 50 often
dreamed of-the mysterious censor Of
her fate?
You are not-my father she began,
twisting her hands in nervous confusion.
The strange, mobil" features never
changed. Staring straight ahead of
him like some automa.on, his face most
resembling that o. man in ill-heal h
suffering hut silent, schooied against
tine betrayal of the least emotion, he
answered solemnly, but not unpleas-
ingiy:
Il: no. l am only your father 5
friend--his servant-hls messenger
And-he has sent for me-"
Every word was a throb OF suspense
and painful uncertainty father,
Then She was not utterly friendless? A
father, But why had he left her loveless,
neg ected, all these years?
Miss chandler will tell you an
swered the stranger. She recognizes
the authority by which l appear.
Dear Edna, let it be smiles rather
than tears, spoke Miss Chandler. com
/ ing TO Edna side and placing a caress-
/ ing arm about her. 1t is all quickly
/ told. You have a father. and he has
/ sent for you.
But
/ Il cannot tell you more This gen
! tleman not only binds me 10 secrecy or,
\ rather. leaves me in complete igno-
rance of the motive for all this mys,
! terry. but insists that you shall leave al
once. OF one thing be assured, how
/ ever. l am satisfied that you are gong
I into kind hands All will be we'll This
/ letter will convince you. 1t is from
| your father. And Miss Chandler nodded
! t the stranger. who handed Edna q
! sealed missi1e.
She barely glanced at it through her
I binding tears. She read only the first
1 few Ines, beg ming,
Ny cniia, there havn tecn vital rea-
sons for nv seeming neg ect Of yon,