Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-02-24
UNDER TWO COL0RS
lOriginal.]

and Wetherell Page. who appeared II
the world when she disappeared from
1t. were prominent young men-WarreI
in the south and Wetherell in the north
Wetherell had been graduated at q
northern college and, preferring the
north, remained there. Warren had
attended lectures at the University of
Virginia. At twenty-six Warren, who
was fire eater, was killed in an alter
cation with political rival Wetherell
was at the time Just getting q start in
his profession. the law, and was en-
gagged TO be married to Evelyn Tole. a
lovely girl Of strong character. Just
before his marriage was to take place
ElwoOd Page died.
One day Evelyn saw her lover COM
ing up the walk in front of her home
and knew by his appearance and rapid
step that something serious had hap
pened. When he entered he was pale
and haggard.
"Whet is it. Wetherell?' she asked
eagerly.
81 have had blow"
"a blow?"
eyes, and have lost YOU"
'T?"
1--WE must not marry. I have in my
veins-negro blood"
1t was some time before an explana-
ton came: then he told her that evi-
dence had been discovered among his
late fathers papers that he (WetherelD
was the son of Eunice, his supposed
mothers maid. His father had taken
him from Eunice and brought him up
as his legitimate white son. He and |
his brother were understood to be |
twins. though they did not resemble |
each other. as most twins do.
When Wetherell Page left his sweet
heart their engagement was broken,
he insisting that if they married their
children would be obliged to take
places with the lower race. He found
1t difficult to persuade her to give him
up, but he was immOvable in his posi-
ton, and she ut last reluctantly con-
Sented. Wetherell was not the man to
linger near the girl he could not marry.
tie removed to another city, where he
practiced his profession. never COM
with her Consider me
lead he said 10 her when they part
ID. and Evelyn was herself too strong
o attempt TO break his resolution. He
would not impose himself as a white
IN wi nd ho |
10 place with colOrcd people. he livec
ntirely alone.
Since Elwood Page left no legal IS
ue. several persons cOntended for his
state. Wetherell put in no claim
Efforts were made to divide the eS-
ate between the claimants. but each
'as so greedy that this was impossi-
le, and il was found necessary to try
he case in a court of chancery. A Mr. ,
dement's. lawyer. who had long been
Ultimate with the Page family and the
manager of its legal affairs, was con-
ected with the case. He subppnaed
'ctherell. and the young man was
DliSed TO attend trial from which
2 would gladly have kept away. When
? arrived. the lawyer pressed his hand =
lently. showing deep sympathy. ,
Il may he able to get you something .
1t of the estate. Wetherell,' he said. "
Nothing would induce me to accept ~
cent" replied the young man. y.
The first evidence introduced was the % a.
pers of ElwOOd Page, which distinct =,
proved that he considered Warren as =,
$ legitimate son and Wetherell lille y,
innate by slave. Then came the :,
rtifcate Of the death of Warren and -
idcnce that Elwood Page had no 9TH .,
children. At this point Mr.. Clements ~.
He'd 10 the witness stand Lemra Ed
. an old woman who had been house a..
eper in the Page family for over ="
rty years. After the usual prelimi- ,'o
~ questions, the lawyer ELECTED the 81,
lowing testimony: o
On the evening of the 7th of Novem- Nv
:. 1860, Mrs. Adelia Page gave birth w,
Il boy. The next day her maid, Eu- o.,
@, gave birth to hoy. Before it vo
s light the next morning saw Eu- 70,
q carry something wrapped in a 49,,
nket into the room where Mrs.
ge's child was sleeping. Following
;. | saw her lay her child in the 7
&c Of the other and steal back to t;,.
/. My first impulse was to give in ho,
nation of the act. but later 1t Oc- do,
red to me that I held a very valua- mo
secret that one day might make my 10 -.
une. When this suit came up it roo
ught me my chance, but deter fire
ed to tel! voluntarily and without l,,ti
ard what know that Mr.. Wether- orc
is Mr.. and Mrs. Pages legitimate mo,
te child and Mr.. Warren was the doy
d Of Mr.. Page and Eunice." vol
etherell Page was sitting where he fuI,
d look the witness full in the face. volt
continued TO stare at her for some for
? after she had finished, then, like a tho
1enly reprieved criminal sank down yon
ollapse. hoo
tier, when Mr.. Clements led him out
ourt and got into the carriage with n
the former said: A
have known that this would hap q VI
from the day | sent you the sub has
a, which | knew was the only way the
et you here without prematurely disa
nling secret. have another sur of ,
) for you at my house." veol
hen the two drove up to the law For
residence a girl rushed out on to beer
'eranda to meet them. In another wife
ent Wetherell Page had clasped last
YIN TOle in his arms. Ing
ELIZA BURNS ARTHUR. mas