The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-28


snowy silken robe his bride wore at
the altar the day that made them one
But no Charlotte bounds to meet him
with the love-liRht IN her face that
makes every homecoming thing to
look forward to. On the dressing
table, conspicuously placed, where he
cannot help but see it, is an open note.
Penciled upon the envelope are these
words:
''EAroE:-I know all; that IL was not Char
otte you wanted, but Edgemoor. though to
obtain one you were forced TO take the other.
Oh why did you deceive me 50 cruellyf go
from you with heart torn and liberated and
with such grief as hope you may ever know.
FAREWELL"
He reads it, his head drops into his
hands. and cOnvulsive, labored sobs
burst from his lips
It is six years later; in the sitting
room of Mrs. Trevor's country resi-
dence, at Tarrytown, are three ladies'
One is middle-aged, the others are her
daughter and the companion who has
made her home with them for the past
three years
The morrow is Miss Evelyn's birth
day, and, to celebrate the occasion, e
fair-the proceeds of which are to be
given to a neighboring hospitals to
be held under Mrs. Trevor's auspices.
''Miss Merle, could you not take
Miss Martins place and be the foun-
tain nymph?''
Certainly. Mrs. Trevor. I would
DO more than that to show my appre-
citation of the many lxindnesses have
received at your hands"
The eventful afternoon has come,
and the spacious grounds of Elmhaven
are the center of a brilliant scene In
a secluded nook. surrounded by vines
and over-arch1ng trees. is the grotto
formed of rocks and paved with
shells, in the center of which, in
the midst of tropical foliage and
plants, is the lemonade fountain The
afternoon is waning. and the visits to
the grotto seem to have ceased, and,
feeling somewhat wsaried, the girl,
going behind the fountain. seats her
self to rest upon rustic bench.
few moments later, voices entering
the grotto fall upon her ears, and one
which with a wild heart throb she
recognizes.
''Ah, the nymph of the fountain has
deserted her post" Mrs Trevor says,
laughingly. Il suppose she despaired
of any more customers"
And then they taIk-for a while on
impersOnal topics-until at length the
lady says, gently and little hesitate
ingly:
s'You must forgive me, Eaton. if
cause you pain by what am about to
ask; but I am SO anxious to know.
Have you found any trace of her
your wife9'
The answer is low and troubled.
NO
Eaton. have you any idea as to
what could have led her to take such
a step?"
my dear friend, I know you are
prompted to speak as you do. solely
through your affection for me, and
will requite that interest by confding
to you the facts; they have never be-
fore passed my lips. My own life's
happiness, and what is still more
precious, my little Charlotte's have
been wrecked solely through a mis-
take.
U''You may know that I have, living
in California, uncle-my fathers
youngest brother, who was but five
years old when I was born. It was
his bOyish lips that gave me the name
he bore himself-EatOn. One season
in society he met a young lady from
Lawrence. Mass, who was visiting
friends in New York.
''He saw her often, and became des-
perately in love with her, and soon
discovered that his affection was recip-
rocated. He is handsome and of ex-
tremely fascinating manners, and her
parents at first seemed pleased with
his attentions to their daughter; but
when, upon inquiry, they learned
that he was possessed of a very mod
crate income, their alta biliey changed
to co1dness-
LAS the time went on, the young
lady had cause to suspect that her let
lover as much Knowing I intended
that would probably meet his lady
love, who was much admired in So
ciety, my uncle wrote me, asking as a
favor, to take charge Of his CORE
spondence, and sec that his letters
reached Miss Graham by giving them
to her myself
ing her strict ideas of right and
wrong, I feared she might think that
had better not interfere.
''One of those letters, signed of
course, Eaton Wolcott,' my wife
found and read My unc1 e's hand
writing and mine are very, SINH TAR,
though q close observer would see a
number of slight differences. But
poor little Charlotte believed that I
loved another, and had married her
for her wealth I have scar ched un-
vvearying1y, and never till lie shall
cease that search, but fear it will be
fruitless-"
A cry stirs the air.
''Oh. Eaton, my husbandt Your