The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1896-03-13
CHAPTER XIH.&(CoSTISUED.,

CHAPTER II .&(CoNTISUEpl
"Oh, Il you would?" she said, tim
Idly.
"You have reused my interest" said
Mr.. ST. Cyril, "and here we are at the
Reef House. The service you have rem
dereG US makes us like old friends;
come in and let us hear your story"
Seated in the parlor, Ralph began:
Il viii not make it a long story. 1t
can inst as well be told briefly. And
now that I come to think of it, I greatly
wonder that | should speak of it at all.
Perhaps there may be a fate in it.
Years ago. there was a ship wrecked in
a great storm, off the harbor of Port
lea: No living thing game ashore from
it but a little child-a girl of six or
seven years. was standing close
down by the water, and the n cast
her up at my feet. She was uncon-
scio,s, bat by proper treatment @ o re-
covered her faculties, with the eXcep-
ton of her memory. That never re-
turned to her. We questioned her
vainly with regard to her previous life.
Sho remembered nothing. Even her
name had flown from ncr. My mother
decided 10 adopt her, and she called her
Marina, because she came to us out OF
the sea. l loved her from the moment
the waves had cast her up TO me, and
when she was of suitable age, told her
my love, and won from her the sweet
confession that it was returned. The
marriage day was set, the guests were
all in waiting. The bridesmaids went
up TO her chamber to cal the bride, and
they found her sitting in her chair,
staTbed TO the heart
4 sharp spasm of pain stopped his ut
terance, but he rallied directly and
went on:
Circumstances led to the discovery
of the murderer, though his motive we
have never known. He lies in the jail a
few rods from here, under the sentence
of DEATH
Genevieve had listened to Mr.. Tren-
holmes narrative with strangely eager
interest, and her brother seemed none
the less intent.
When Ralph paused, st. Cyril said:
WAS there no clew, no possible mark,
by which this child, this Marina, might
have been identified by her friends if
any ~survived?"
YES. Upon the right arm, just above
the elbow, there was a small scarlet
crass. 1t might have been made there
with some indelible substance, or it
might nave been a birthmark."
Miss St. Cyril drew the sleeve away
from her snowy arm, and held it out
to Mr. Trenholme. And he saw, family
glowing through the white skin, the
very fac-simile of the cross that had
marred the whiteness of Marina'ssarm.
He started back, pale and trembling.
What am l to Think" he said. You
are the same, 1t is my Marina come
up from the grave, or am dreaming"
Neither said Miss st. Cyril. eve
were twin sisters. l and your Marina
He looked at her in silent amaZement.
Mr.. st. Cyril spoke:
II think Genie is right. It is all so
strange. Our search is ended, then,
bUI uOW ullcicIl L jill NHdL L Hdu /
hoped We know her fate; but she is
Gead-gone from us beyond recall"
He bowed his head upon the table
while Genie laid her arm over his neck.
Brother, we are left to each other.
And the fault was none of ours"
True. l have much to be thankful
for. MIR. Trenholme, you are wonder
ing over much that you do not under
stand. Ny sister and myself came to
this country, not IN a pleasure trip.
but in obedience to a sacred promise
given to the dying. If you have time to
spare ! will make you acquainted with
the saddest part of our family history.
! will tell you why Evangeline st. Cyril
was on the ship which was wrecked"
Thank you" responded Ralph. 81
am all attention. have longed all my
life that the mystery might be solved.
Would to God that she could have lived
to see this day."