The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-03-01

for those they loved and who mourne'
them as dead.
The streets Of Cloverdell were al
alight when they turned their faces to
ward the Potts house.
Said little Potts as they walked, "W'
never found out who the second coupl,
was"
"No. We had SO much to ask Tin
about"
"My girls were never much on going
to bed early They had turned cor
ner which brought him in sight of hi!
home, and little Potts knees were shak
ing under him. "But what an illumi
nation they've got upl''
"What shall I sing?" the colonel
asked softly, coming to halt behind
one of the green tubs on the Potts ter
race.
"Give them 'Tenting on the Old
Camp Ground 1t is your best" said
little Potts in trembling voice. "And
sing up loud, Bascom. They seem to
have company. I'm glad they are not
missing me very badly"
"You sound very glad, f" said the colo.
mel grimly, and then he began to sing.
Don't forget the hat" he paused to
whisper as the opening Of the front
door let food Of light escape from the
Potts hall, and they could see figures
providing toward it from the parlors
Captain Belknap's was we'll in the lead.
He came hurriedly down the front steps
and peered anxiously into the outer
darkness
who sang that song?" he demand
ed in voice quivering with agitation.
"Stand out, whoever you are. There
never was but one man who could sing
the old song that way. I beseech him to
come nearer
The colonel stepped into the glare of
light. Little Potts dropped the hat.
"Belknap!'
"Bascomp
The two strong men were clasped in
each others arms Sobs shook both
frames. Little Potts was rushing tumul-
tuously toward Ollie, who stood in brid-
al array watching this strange scene
with wonder stretched eyes. A hundred
hands were outstretched.
The two battered veterans were drawn
inside the doors of the little white
house, behind the oleanders. Who would
undertake to describe what went on be-
hind those doors in the course of the
next few hours?
The marvellous story of how Bascom
and Potts had footed it home when re-
leased from Johnson's island and of
what trick they had played on every
body went the rounds until 1t was only
necessary to say, "When the colonel
and'- to make the most patient man
or woman in Cloverdell show signs of
restlessness.
Little Potts took up his old life with
very little friction, thanking God for
the finding Of his home circle unbroken,
even increased by the addition of his
son-in-law, Eddie Matthews. The colo
nel's portion had been bitterer one.
At the close Of the wedding festivities
at the Potts home Reginald had prom.
Used going with him to his home. Not
until they were seated by the fireplace
in the study just as they had sat when
he, half maddened by his own misdeeds,
had made full confession to the colonel
did Reginald enter upon the story of how
Jessica had passed out Of their lives.
Bascom sat absolutely motionless
through the long recital. At its close he
drew long breath and said solemnly:
"Thank Godp'
Belknap stared at him in perplexity.
He repeated:
Eyes, thank God! Ellen s good name
is vindicated, and the dear girl had bets
ter bear that name legitimately than
mine, which I threw over her as mans-
tlo to hide her shame, illcgitimately.
And You? felt all the time, dear boy,
that l must put you in possession of the
entire truth should things ever come to
a crisis between you two"
"They did come to crisis between
us. She had promised to be my wife not
an hour before this blow fell"
Poor girl! Poor ladr'
without her my life must always
be spiritless, broken affair"
always. Don't use that word. Ver-
lily who can tell what day may bring
FORTH"
That one, for day was streaking the
eastern horizon when the two men
sought their beds, brought forth a
strange thing. 1t brought Northoote,
with his solution Of the mystery. The
news of Colonel Bascoms return had
spread like wildfre DR.. Hilary North
tote heard it, and standing over his
wife, who was hastily packing valise,
10 said to her:
Never mind about the valise, my
lear. Now that Bascom is at home he
AN 60. shall ride over to see him in
tead Of starting for the other side.'
Instead meant that Dr. Northcote was
ust about to supplement a somewhat
engthy correspondence with Jessica by
tarting for Liverpool, not that he want.
ID to go, but because some one had to-
The correspondence had started OIL the
trength of his sending to them the anu
cts found i'll Isham Streets strong box.
lie sent them to Jessica, with the rs.
uest that she should ask her mother If
he had ever seen them. Jessioa's reply
anne promptly:
THE articles sent by you threw my
lother into terrible state of agitation.
he claims them as confederation of her
tatement that her child was killed in
nat railroad accident. She asks you to
Famine the trunk left in your attic
'hen she went back home. You will
nd there, she says, baby's cap of fine
ice. Embroidered in its crown are tho
litials T. s. She never knew what they
;ood for. She declares that wore that
Up when an infant; that was clasped
her arms when the crash came.'
Research into the old trunk revealed
10 cap marked as stated. Further re-
arch on Lemuel Streets part revealed
at his cousins name was Isadora
rect.
Then Leinuel took up the correspond.
ice.
He claimed Jessica for his cousin and
Id her of her waiting inheritance Jes-
Y, IL. j..