Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-07-26


borne my name, il was because my late
wife wished il for the child's own sake.
She believed that it would be humiliat-
ing for the child to be brought up in the
knowledge that she had no name; that
she was in truth q waif whose parent
age was unknown. Iwould have given
much if the name we gave her had been
worth more for her own sake, but it was
the best that we could do under the cir
cumstances. "
who were Annette's parents?'
"God lnows"
"And you?"
"Sir, ] am not in his confidence"
"You talk that way and expect me to
believe you'll
'Sir, ON the contrary, do not Nei-
ther do wish to be understood as in
dulging in profane levity. Ihavo the ut
most respect for the Deity He has, he
can have none for me.
Maxey was astounded. 1t was not
alone the GOODNESS of the man, but the
sincerity and despair with which he
seemed to speak In spite of himself, the
artist began to believe him For mo-
ment he could not regain courage enough
to return to the attack Mr.. Dye lifted
his faded eyes inquiringly from the con-
temptation of his hat
"You don't believe me?'' he said.
SIT seems hardly possible
''Sir, it is the truth For myself !
would not take the trouble to speak. For
her sake will say to you that take my
oath before Almighty God, as hope for
mercy in the world to come, that / do
not know who her parents were +"
He said this solemnly and impressive
ly. 1t produced profound effect on
Maxey, who had never drifted away
from the religious teaching of his youth.
The name of the Deity was very solemn
thing in his eyes He could not under
stand why it should not be in the eyes
of all men. Nevertheless he mustered
up courage to renew the battle.
If this be true, why then did you
appear so excited on the night when you
put this child into your wife's arms?
Why did you plead with her so earnestly
never to reveal that the child was not
your own? Why did you even say that
if the truth were known it might bring
you to the gallows?"
Surprises like this may startle the
calmness of effrontery, but there are
few surprises sufficiently strong to over
! come the calmness of despair. Mr. Dye
was utterly unmoved He replied in his
somberest tones:
Sir, you must be aware that the
moribund when approaching dissolution
enters frequently into stage of hallu-
cination. The mind wanders. If it were
worth while to defend myself, l should
say that my poor wife was not herself;
that she exaggerated. +"
! This was simply unanswerable, and
strangely enough it was the first time it
had occurred to Maxey The artist felt
the groundwork Of his hopes giving way
beneath him, but he forced himself to
assume skeptical air and to proceed.
"You can tell me, suppose, how you
became possessed of this child'?
"Sir, can assuredly.
"In the name of goodness, vary your
form Of address a little, cried Maxey,
exasperated by the inevitable PREDATORY
"sir." Mr. Dye looked up with mild
surprise in his faded eyes.
"Since it annoys you, sir, I will"
1T is unnatural, and you put it ON for
effect"
"You are a gentleman, sir. cannot
contradict you. !"
| Maxey bit his lip
''Be kind enough, then, to go on. {"
Tt was dark night, sir, said Mr..
Dye, looking as though he We're drawing
the whole scene out of the ruffied sur
face of his forlorn hat. 81 was coming
home from low resort. I stumbled
up my steps unsteadily and fell over a
bundle that was lying outside my door.
1t was little Annette, stupefied by the
effects of some drug which had been
| given her. I took her in to my wife,
and that poor, unfortunate woman who
wrecked her life when she married me
conceived an affection for her at once.
We never had any children. She desired
to keep her. I permitted her to do SO.
That is the whole story. Do not think
wish to be short with you I will an
swer any question you think it worth
your while to address to me. !"
"Did You leave The city Immediately
after you found thu child?"
II did. :.
"Why?"
my business, perhaps it would be
franker to say my means Of livelihood,
necessitated it.
What has been your means Of live
lihood2''
"Swindling in all its various forms. =
Maxey sat staring in bewilderment for
some minutes.
! "By what methodist"
"By the meanest methods. Do you
wish me to give a catalogue of my
crooked ways? It would no doubt be in
structive to you. =
Never mind that, cried Maxey, with
sudden energy. Answer me this; We're
you concerned in the attempt to murder
! this child Annette?'
Mr.. Dye sprang to his feet with force
that overturned his chair and stood with
| Mortified look fixed full on the artists
face. His lip trembled and his voice fall
tered when he asked:
/ lis that's that your suspicienr'
II am not here to talk Of suspicious
am asking you plain question, sus-
ceptible of a plain answer"
Gradually the Mortified look faded out
4 Of his face. The lack lnstar ewes sought