The Roanoke times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1897-1977, 1897-06-20

him at cnmity with the world. For
years he told mo nothing. though from
the first ho showed me all the affection
of mother and care of father.
ut was soon n matter of common re-
port that Ben's new boy was to be Al
gentleman. The hermit himself took
charge of my primary education. Ho
was delighted with my luck of kuowl-
edge and my endless list of simple cues
tions. for it showed him that he was
working Oh virgin soil. He nodded mo
in accordance with his own colccntion
of manhood, forever impressing upon
mo that ingratitude was the cardinal
sin. When could comprehend, he told
me that 1 would be rich, that I must
spend money generously and that somo
time he would let mo into the secret
which would place at my command all
the immeasurable power ofFgold.
"When it came time for me to 60 east
to college, suggested that should go
back to tho old place in the mountains
and SEQ if could do anything for tho
girl who had been kind to me. No act
of mine ever pleased him more, and
when left him it was with unlimited
credit authorized by one Of the greatest
banking institutions of tho west. did
not find tho girl, but learned that sho
had first been employed and then adopt
ed by widow whose husband had fallen
i'll the war. left money with q lawyer,
telling him to find the girl and have her
educated. year later this money was
returned to mo with notice that he could
do nothing for me. Iwrote for further
information, but could get no reply.
Before my benefactor died he told
me of the rich gold find he had worked
without sharing his secret with any
one. You know how it proved verita-
bic mine of wealth, built up thriving
city and won me the title of bonanza
king He also told me how heartless
woman had wrecked his life and asked
me to never abandon the search for the
littlo mountain girl until knew what
had become of her and whether it was
within my power to help her. You have
no idea how man and boy, thrown to-
gethcr as wo were, could build q TO-
nance upon foundation so slender"
Il think understand. And you have
found no trace?''
that fight when the strikers tried to de-
stroy tho machinery at the mine, my
wounds threw mo into u fever. and
through all tho delirium l talked in the
dialect of my boyhood with tho little
maid [ had never seen but once. That
shows you the hold she bad upon me.
and even yet have an ideal that must
either DO shattered or confirmed before
l can be content. Now for your advice.
Should marry before have seen this
grip
Not with my approval, Mr. Trevor.
Go to the end of your foolish dream, or
it might haunt you and sonic woman
might suffer"
81 had hoped for different answer
from you" And his eyes told the old,
old story.
"But I'm your friend and can give
no other. This is our waltz. -
Within month Trevor received u
letter i'll yellow, blotted envelope.
The scrawl only said: IT reckon you
uns hev furgetted me. I'm back here
again, an l hev hcarn you uns was
rich.''
Trevor shuddered. His romance had
died a cruel death. But gratitude was
his strong point. Reluctantly he went
When ut length he rode to the front of
the old cabin there was woman in
linsey dress, her back TO him, while
she threw food to the noisy chickens.
Just as he reached her side she turned
with, We'll. you uns did kim back,
hoy?''
Miss Alden" gaspcd Trevor, MS he
crushed the mountain daisy" against
his breast. And the promise of the ba-
byhood was made good.-Detroit Free
Press.