Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1893-08-05
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HAS he never inquired about his
parents?"
Never; he seems to dread the sub.
ject. II there is anything that you can
tell him to increase his happiness, do so:
II not, keep away from him." said the
Squire, with mucn force.
could tell him that that might make
him miserable all his life, and II you do
not aid me in certain matter it will be
necessary for me to do so."
What is the certain matter?" asked
the Squire, rising from his chair and
confronting his visitor.
The certain something which you can
do for me. and to save Ralph Denham
from q knowledge that may embitter his
life, cannot explain now, but I shall
do so before take my departure said
Colonel Graham.
Suit yourself about that. VIII you
answer me one question:" asked Squire
Condit.
What is the question:"
Are you Ralph Denham's father?"
The Squire shot this out with force
that nearly upset Col. Graham, for he
gasped, turned pale, and for the in
slant lost his self-control, the very
power in which he felt he was vastly
before him
did ever say or write aught that
would lead you TOTO infer" STAN
mered the Colonel.
That Is the mischief of 1t; you never
said or wrote word from which could
infer anything" said the Squire, now
master Of the situation.
But you have just told me that
Ralph cared to know nothing"
$50 I did. but am not Ralph Dem
ham; If were, I might feel just as he
does. One moro question before you
leave. said the Squire, as Col. Graham
rose to take his departure.
"What Is it,"
Are the parents Of Ralph Denham
living?"
"One Of them u.s. replied Graham.
now on his guard.
(Which one?"
Il am not at liberty to tell"
why not?"
Il cannot explain"
Another question" said the Squire,
coming between his visitor and the
door.
| "Well?"
Again. are you Ralph Denhsm' g
father?"
Il am not. with another start.
Are you Of his blood?"
| "N-no."
lis he legitimate?" asked the Squire,
bringing down his arm, as if to imply
that this was his last question.
| What matters that to you; why
should you wish to know"
For one good reason-the happiness
Of Ralph may depend on his being of
legitimate BIRTH"
BE good enough to explain"
| Ralph Denham loves beautiful girl,
she is of good family, and feel that ii
the cloud were lifted from his antece-
dents, so far as 20 show that he came OF
honest parents, that his suit would not
be rejected"
rs the young lady your daughter,
Squire Condit?" asked Col. Graham,
with smile, that had in it something
satanic.
II cannot answer that till you have
answered me-"
shall suffer anxiety for the lack OF
knowing who Ralph Denham's ladylove
is"
Col. Graham took another stride in
the direction Of the door, and came to q
sudden stop. Without looking at the
Squire, he continued:
1You are a man Of sense. and SO
need not impress on you the importance
of keeping our conversation to yourself
II you have Ralph Denham's happiness
at heart, you will not tell him why
called. We shall meet again, and very
soon.
With a frigid bow. Colonel Graham
left tho room, and, addressing the ne.
gro as "Othello, babe him follow him
Othello threw his burden across his
shoulders, with an ease that showed
wonderful strength, and followed, with
the long, swinging stride that mani
tested endurance. equal to his strength
When Colonel Graham reached the
town of Sag Harbor, an hour or two be-
fore his appearance at Squire Condit's
he dispatched q messenger to Captain
Fox, asking him to send boat for him
This boat, under the command o.
Lieutenant Frenauld, was now waiting
on the beach.
In a minute more, the Colonel anC
his servant would have been on board
and on their way to the ship, but an In
cident that astonished the Colonel pre-
vented his progress for some time.
Old Dinah, who had been talking, IL
her disjointed way, to Ellen Condit ano
Lea Hedges, left the group, with the in
tention Of going to her home, some
miles away.
She caught sight of Colonel Graham
approaching, and she came to sudder
halt, raised her lean, black hands, ant
shouted:
.Lod Paliton! Lod Paliton, or d.
dead! Where hev you come from, wan
derin' back en- foth-"
Hist, Dinah!" said Colonel Graham
rushing toward the old woman, an
speaking in a whisper, indicative o.
alarm. do not speak now; do no
know me yet awhile, and you shall hav
.Blood-red gold! blood-red gold. Blu
who's dis? Who am de black boy?
She ran at Othello, and took OIL hi
cap revealing a circular scar on his fore
he ad.
Hello! hello! de son Of my darter!"
The old woman caught the youni
black man in her arms, and kissed him
and cried and laughed alternately, Will
| lin cvDportinO hia burden. aSko,