The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-05-28
CHAPTER XXXII.
npossible. Incredible!

llHNN'N7I'lc' il4'i'hl'lcs
Like n wave suddenly lifted the whole as
temllage Ioso in surprise II not in protest.
But there was no outburst. The very depth Of
the feelings evoked made all obullition impos-
siblo. and as ono sees the billow pause ere II
breaks. and gradually subside. SO this crowd
yielded 10 tho awe within them. and one. by
one sank hack into their seats till quiet was
again restored. and only a-circle Of listening
faces confronted the man who had Just stirred
q whole rsomful to its depths. Seeing this.
ana realizing nls:opnortunity. Frederick at
once ente -ed into the explanations for which
each heart there painted.
This will be Overwhelming news to him
who has cared for me since infancy. You
have heard him call me son. With what words
shall ! overthrow his confidence IN tho truth
and rcctitude of his long-buried wife and
make him know in his old age that he has
wasted years OF patience Gpon one who was
not Of his blood or lineage? Tho wonder. the
tncredulity you manifest are my best excuse
for my long DELAY in revealing the secret in
trusted 10 me by this dying woman"
An awed silence greeted these words. Never
was the interest ola crowd more intense or its
passions held in creator restraint. Yet Ag-
ness tears flowed freely md Arnabel's smiles
well, their expression had changed. and to
~Swcetwater. who alone had eyes for her now.
they were surcharged with a tragic meaning.
strange TO see in one OF her callous nuture.
fre!erick's voice broke as he proceeded In
his selt-imposed task.
Tho astounding fact which l have Just
communicated to you was made known to me
BY my mother. with the dagger still plunged
IN her breast. She would not let me draw it
out. She knew that death would follow that
act. and she priced every moment remaining
to her because Of the bliss she.cnjoycd Of Sec
Ing and having near her her only living child.
The love. the passion. the houndless devotion
she showed in those last few minutes trans
formed me in an instant from q selfish brute
into a deeply repentant man. ! knelt before
her in anguish. l made her feel that. wicked
as-I had been. I was not tho co" scienceless
wretch she had imagined, and that she was
mistaken as to the motives wEich led me into
her presence. And when l saw by her clearing
brow and peaceful look that / had fully per-
sunded her Of this. I lot her speak what words
she would. and tell. az she was able. the secret
tragedy OF her life.
1T is a sacred story to me. and II you
must know 1t. let It be from her own words In
the letters she left behind her. She only told
me that 70 say Q me from the fate Of the chill
dren who had preceded me. the Ave little girls
and boys who had persisted almost at birth
In her arms, she had parted from me in early
infancy to Mrs. Sutherland. then mourning
the sudden death OF her only child. That
this had been done secretly and under circum-
stances calculated to deceive Mr.. Sutherland,
80 that he had never known | was not his
W child. and she enjoined me never to en-
tighten him. II by any sacrifice on my part l
could riGhtfnlly avoid it. That she was happy
IL having me hear the truth before she died.
that the JOY which this gave her was so great
that she did not regret her fatal act. violent
and uncalled for as 1t wa, for 1. had showed
her my heart and allowed me to read hers.
Then she talked OF my father. by whom |
llaan he whom you call Philemon. and she
mnde me promise I would care for him to the
last with tenderness, saying that | would be
able to DO this without seeming improperly.
since she had wil.od me all her fortuneunder
TINS prUyISo, Finally, che gave me q key. and
pointing out where the rest OF her money lay
hidden, babe me carry II away as her last
Ei't, together with the package 90 letters l
you'd find with it. And when ] had taken
these and given her back tho key. she told ne
that but for one thing she would die happy.
And though her strength and breath We're fast
IuilnE @"r. she made me understand that sho
was worried about the labels. who had not
come, according to n sacred custom between
th'al' I" celebrate the annive rsary Of her
W"ilns. and prayed me to SEQ the two old
gentlemen hcfore | slept. since nothing but
dean or dire distress would have kent them
'''' N''. 10 INK lllr 'llt IN u W. INV y
in'1HS mind. | promised. and with perfect
I"a"" 10 he" face she pointed to tho dagGeri In
her breast.
iUt before ! cOu'd lay my hand upon 1t she
called for Hatsy, 1 want her to hear me do
r'ar' leforo | TO- said she. that this stroke
"Hs delivered by myself on myself Lut
When | rose TO look for Bntsy. | found that the
sh'ek OF Ter mistress fntal act had killed her
b"l that only her dead holy was lying across
u" window sill Of the adjoining room. 1t
Vas i chance tnat robbed me OF the only wit.
ness who couli testify to my innocence, in
case my presence In this house OF death
should become known. and realizing all tho
danger in which it.throw me | did not dare 10
tell NY mother for fear 1t would make her
last Womcuts miserable. So | told her that
III" poor woman had understood what she
wished, but was too terrified 10 nave or
tI"ah; and this satisfied my mother and
made her last breath one OF trust and con-
tented love. She died az | drew the dagger
rom her breast. and. seeing this. ! was
re!lcd with horror OF tho instrument which
hal cost me such Il dear and valuable lie,
aud flung it:wildly from the window. Then
lifted her and laid her where YOU found her.
on the sofa. Tint tho dagger was M old