The morning call., 1893-05-19
A STRANGE STORY,

|.
A neatly dressed colored nurse, leading
q white child just able to walk, approached
the ticket window of one of the railway
stations of our city and asked when the
next train was due. Upon being Informed
>ne turned to go, bat the remarkable
~eauty Of the ch Id had attracted the at
tention of some of the waiting groups
of passengers and their admiration de-
tained her.
The little ones rings of golden hair
framed a face of perfect contour. The
features were delicately chiseled the eyes
large, soft and of true sapphire hue,
while the completion, in its exquisite
purity, suggested rose-tinted alabaster.
Whose is this beautiful child" queried
several ladies.
Mine, was the response, as the ser
want walked away
Il don't believe a word of it," chorused
the ladies.
'Ner l." said man standing near
Then turning TO the agent, be remarked,
~ say, Jim, this is clear case of kidnap-
ing, sure as you're a foot high"
1t looked so probable that fter short
discussion the bystanders ended by call
ing policeman's attention to the strangely
assorted pair, now withdrawn into a quiet
corner.
On being questioned by that func-
tionary the girl, however, gave the same
reply, perSeVeTinG In her statement even
when threatened with arrest. On her way
20 the police station she seemed to become
terrified, and, on obtaining promise of
secrecy from the officer. she told him that
tie chlld's mother vas a white lady, whOm
she had gone TO the station to meet. Then,
giving the name OF a prominent citizen as
voucher for the truth OF her statement,
she begged that she should be allowed to
return at once in order TO meet the train.
Under surveillance this request was
granted.
II.
The thunder of the incoming train shook
the earth. Among the crowds who de-
scended many noticed tail, slight lady,
so closely yelled hat her face was uuecog-
nizable. Her form and gait, however, be-
spoke youth and grace.
She waited until the passengers and
their friends had left the Waiting-room.
and then proceeded to secluded corner
where the nurse aud child were seated.
Then turning her back TO the few persons
who were IN, the immense room she
caressed the child with passionate vehe-
mence, talking TO her in low tones that
were lnaudible at even a short distance.
Ihe most curious could not catch a
glimpse OF her tace-for the maid assisted
i'll screening her-but her form was seen
to be shaken with convulsiye sobs, when
in short time, with lingering kisses, she
parted from the enid.
Calling a carriage, she bade the driver
take her to fashionable thoroughfare. a
little while after the nurse carried her
charge in an opposite direction.
In the meantime the old gentleman, sum-
moned by telephone. had arrived at the
police station. Upon being questioned he
requested nrIVatp lntPFVipW with the
head official and cOrrOborated the nurses
statement. After exaeting a promise of
strict secrecy he proceeded to give the fol-
lowing particulars:
'It is a sad case" said he. 'The child
Is the offspring OF ciapdestine marriage,
which has been kept concealed. on aceoupt
OF loDg-standing feud between tile fami-
lies OF the little one's father and mother.
Shortly after The union of Hubert and
Eola q will not give their surnames) this
feeling WAS intensif by duel between
Enla's brother and Hubert's first cousin,
which resulted fatally for the former.
Eola at that time was in Europe. travelling
under the chaperonage of NV late wife. On
pretext of i'll health she remained abroad
Till after the birth of this child.
'She had intended confessing every
thing on her return, hoping for forgive
ness, as she was her parents idol; but
she was met in New York by a relative
who announced her mothers sudden
death. The double loss of wife and son
had, he said, left his father Il prev TO
heart disease, and the doctors declared
that any great excitement would Kill him.
So she has continued to let the secret
gnaw her hearL with remorse. Her father
has insisted this year on her resuming her
place in society, and she feels compelled to
humor him. distastetul as it is to her.
To add to her trouble. Hubert is now
voluntary exile in Cuba, where he had
Inherited some property. He found life
too disagreeabe especially after EoIa's
departure for Europe). in neighborhood
very much prejudiced against his family.
'Ihe mother OF the coOred nurse was
formerly slave in Eola's family, and is
devOtedly attached to her young mistis
as she still calls her. She is the soul of
fidelity and discretion. To-day a sudden
illness prevented her coming herself with
the child; SO. rather than disappout the
mother, she intruSted it to her daug hter's
charge. Liza is good and faithful, too :;
but gets easily embarrassed when ques-
toned about the child, which was the rea-
son of her making the stupid reply that
has led TO this revelation.
II am the only white person in Eola's
confidence and am supplied with ample
funds for the child's support.
I'm spite OF every precautlon she feels
that she is living ou the edge of sleeping
volcano which at any moment may awake
and overwhelm her. That she bitterly re-
RreIS neF course OF 6DlOrceQ deception goes
without saying.
'Oh. what tangled web weave,
When first we practice to deceiveP"
Here the old man checked himself
abruptly, as if conscious that poetry was
out of place in a police Office.
The superintendent, however. smiled
and dryly remarked. "WeIl, / guess good
many Of the webs ara unraveled here"
III.
The city was mad with revelry all the
following night About 10 o'clock in the
evening the banquet In front of the French
Opera-house was crowded with a dense
ana much mixed throng, eager TO look at
the magnificent costumes and superbly
beautiful ladies, whose carriages were
each moment being emptied Of their