Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1899-11-25

When We thought him dead. assumed
his title Of Lord Fairford. and Isabel be-
came my wife. The fearful visitation Of
Providence which followed, you know.
"Something over a year ago | heard OF
q man In America answering to the de-
scrption Of Jason Bittern. stephen Will
son was sent over to find him. IL possible.
He did not then find the man for whom
he searched. but he found another. lie
saw your face. and that led him to your
father: and in your fathcr--thc Gerald
Scaton of Frcdcrick's army. and the
Gerald Scaton Of American fame--he rec.
ognzed John Scaton Fitzgerald. the true
Lord Hartford. and true heir to the Earl
dom of Wenlock. lIold.-I.et me finish
before you speak. stephen. can you pro-
ducc those papers,"
stephen Wilson reached out his hand
for our hcro's sword. which was drawn
from its scabbard, and given to him. lie
| laid the weapon across his Knees, anu
then. with the point of a stout knife. ne
| drove through the upper part of the nit
a wide, fiat. thin spring-pin. the ends OF
which. when in place. had formed figures
| in the fret-work of the gold. This done,
he easily removed the sivnct of the pom
mel. revealing Il hollow IN the handle,
| from WHICH uc uTcW u tigH'is NouipicSSVu
roll of papers which had been wound
around the long tang of the blade.
| Major" said the old man. ut nod
from his master. these papers your faith
or placed in here in my presence. Most
Of them he had owned for years. but a
few we prepared together Will you look
them overI"
| Our hero took the roll with trembling
hand, and for full half an hour he sat
porting over the remarkable documents
scanning with military cxactness, until
he had gained u full knowledge of their
| contents. lie had been strangely excited
during the examination. and many times
EXPLANATIONS OF wonder had broken from
his lips. Finally he looked up.
WELL" said Allan Fitzgerald, "what
have you found"
by these papers," answered the youth.
full Patriot, with batcd breath, II find
that my father was the eldest son and
heir OF Robert, Earl Of Wenlock; I find
clear proofs Of his identity with Gen.
Gerald SeatOn--proofs Of his marriage
with Christine vcrden. In Bcrlin-proofs
Of my birth--and also clear proofs Of my
own legitimate hcirship. And, further, I
have here my fathers dying declaration
that never, In all his life. did he commit
a crime against the laws Of the land
which had given him home! And I
find this, In his hand. addressed to my.
self-'My Son--When you know that my
brother Allan has acknowledged and es.
tablished my innocence of the crime for
which suffered In his behalf, you may.
II you wish, assume your true name and
title And to this he signs his name
John Seaton Fitzgerald, Lord Fair.
ford.'"
my dear boy" said Allan, ut has been
done. When stephen came home and re.
ported his wonderful discovery, I made
a full confession TO my father, and pub.
lished the same to all whom Il could con.
Germ: and, as soon as could, came to
this country for the purpose Of finding
my wrongcd brother. and snrrendering
to him his rights. When l arrived
found my brother dead, and his son where
I could not reach him. The next arrival
from England brought to me intelligence
of my fathers death. Between myself
and the carldom stood an unknown boy,
who dreamed not Of his heirship. The
iron entered my soul. I was a coward
and villain again! To my brother I would
have surrendered my false claim-but to
the unknown son-O! the allurement Of
the cor0nct was too much! fell. But
God would not let It be 80; and can
thank Him now for the Intervention Of
His mighty hand"
At this point Allan Fitzgerald arose,
and paced several times across the room.
At length he stopped and laid his hand
upon bis nephew's shoulder.
Robert, l will leave you for half an
hour to consider. Would you like that
Lillian should confer with your
"Sir!-l-"
Hush! II you would like her counsel,
you shall have it--you may have It for all
coming time, II you WISH"
And with this Allan and Stephen left
the room, and a little while later our
hero held Lillian In his arms.
That half hour was sacred! At Its close
Allan Fitzgerald returned.
Robert. have you consideredY'
"Allan," returned the youth, holding
Lillian by the hand az he spoke, do you
give to me this precious charge, to be
mine for lifeY'
"Yes, with all my heart; and ! bless
God for the opportunity"
"Then. my lord, you are now. and
hcnceforth, Earl Of Wcniock! Lillian
and ! want not the title. II you can,
from your abundant store, help us"
| Audu put out MS mana.
Hush! Make not the sacrifice hastily;
but In any event, know this: My child
Is wealthy beyond your power to expend
In this land; and. moreover, the revenues
Of FairfOrd shall be secured to yourself.
As for the earldom, and the broad es.
tates Of Wenlock---"
} "They are yours, my lord" interrupt
cd Robert. my decision IL 6nal. Amer
lea Is my home, and will not forsake IT,"
And you, my child|
II am Roberts, and decide with
him"
Years had passed. In the drawing room
Of an elegant mansion, the deep nay win
dows Of which overlooked the Delaware
river, stood Robert and Lillian SeatOn,
and at their side, playing upon the carpet,
were two bright-faced, sunny-haired chill
dren-a boy and girl, named Allan and
Marian. Robert wore the undress uni
form OF major general of the American
army-he wore 1t now because he had
Just returned from a visit to Congress.
In session at Princeton, where he had
been summoned to meet Gen. Washing
ton. And nobly had the true-hearted
Patriot won the right to wear It. Not
one in all the army had been more brave;
not one had dared more danger; and not
one was more generally beloved by all
who truly knew him.
Robert bent over and kissed his smil-
l