Middletown transcript., 1904-05-07

the conductor climbs to the top OF the
bus to take his fares and everxone else
has got out, clap handkerelfef With
summat on it to the gals facefan catches
tup the kid as is sound as top, and 4
drops ont Of the bus and Inter the fog.
knows where to take l]Sn wellena|
and we go aboard a boat IS
same night, and we wase on tlantic
afore they wur able u lo0 dt for u.s.
lme togs changed nd ig off, and
every trace q IT, med, for
lever. honey to spend abQ Rnd,
Queer IL II may 5en; the kid taa IDLY
to ne, and, what With The bpas aiIa the
water and 10 end pf sweets, lie settled
down wonderful and me Hgran'elsild"
wur no trouble to auy one aboard.
ThorDas seaton he tells his missus sonder
it wuf. bis own child by former mar
rage, and Size believes him, and takes
the kid inter her heart with her own
babe. Arter while | meets Thomas
| again, and he tells me the kin wur dead
Of fever, and the missus and her babe
were in Cape Town. But | spies 'em
out unbeknown, and then knows it wur
her own child as died and the kid ]
brought from England is the kid as il
passed off as her own.
And the name OF this child? asked Sir
Jasper quietly, but with authority.
The child wur the infant Earl OF Ern-
dale, said Callagan solemnly, and he
stands before you there.
Tom sprang to the sick womail's side
and caught her in his arms.
She has tainted he cried in strong
emotion. l believe the shock has killed
her !
But it was not so. Although the swoon
was long and death-like, consciousness
was at last restored, and the eyes OF the
woman whom he had so long called
mother opened once more and rested on
the young mans face.
My darling, she said faintly--Tom-
always Tom to me-my child, my son
Always your own, dearest mother, re-
turned Tom sturdily-the only mother
I ever knew-the kindest of women-the
best
Sir Jasper looked on with dim eyes.
| He did not tell them that there was
another mother. who had been robbed
of her child through foul conspiracy
who had pined through long years OF
sorrow and suffering, and who lived only
to clasp that son in her arms before her
feeble hold OH life was broken.
But great pity surged up in his kind
heart for her, and lie drew Geoffry gently.
aside.
1 must take the deposition of David
Callagan, he said anxiously, and he must
be detained until lie is wanted in court.
Ny dear Geoffry-my dear Erndale-we
have found you at last
The young Earl clasped Sir Jasper's
hand heartily in his own, and his eyes
shone brightly.
1 telegraphed to Maxwell this morn-
ing, added the Baronet, on some other
business of my own. 1t will be well for
us to have his help and advice now.
Meantime go and tell Betty the good
news whilst I attend to Callagan ; and,
crossing over to Mrs. Seaton's couch, he
spoke gravely and kindly to her. You
have nothing to reproach yourself with,
he said very gently, and nothing can
alter your adopted sons affection and
tenderness. Remember that, and do not
lose heart or courage. ! will see you
again later, if may. Until then, fare
we'll
Leaving Mrs. Seaton with the nurse,
Sir Jasper went down into the library
with Callagan, whilst Geoffry sought
Betty in the garden.
| Very fair was that old-world garden
and very sweet and fair the girl who
came forward with her hands full of
roses, with lovely color in her delicate
cheeks, as Geoffry advanced quickly and
eagerly to meet her. Something in his
face, look she had never seen there
before, thrilled and subdued her and
held her speIl-bound. Geoffry was her
master to-day, and she knew it, but how
and why it was beyond her power to tell.
She only knew that he took her little
hands in his, and that his voice had in
it ring Of ioyousness that was almost
a ring of triumph.
The lost heir of Erndale is found he
said, holding her hands as be spoke and
looking down with sparkle in his brown
eyes which made her heart throb in spite
of herself. The lost heir of Erndale is
found-and, Betty, he is here!
The instincts OF his ancient race were
strong within him. and, dropping upon
one knee, he kissed the fingers that he
still held imprisoned.
Oh, Betty, my darling, he said pas
sionately, am free now to strive to
make you care for me! Tell me that |
shall not strive in vain.
Betty's sweet eyes were full Of tears.
She bent her lovely head, and the faint
pressure Of her hands thrilled Geoffry
like strong wine. He sprang to his feet
and drew her gently to his breast.
Say, Geoffry, | will try to love sou he
said masterfully.
But the sweet face was hidden on his
breast
Say, Geoffry, l will try to love you he
repeated very softly.
Anda fiuttering little voice whispered
better and dearer words
| love you now, Geoffry-I think
have loved you always!
In the pretty rooms set apart for her
use in her daughters house, Elizabeth,
Lady ErndaIe, lay on a couch near the
open windows. The terrace ON which
the windows opened led into the rose
garden, which was separated BY thick
hedge of yew and holly from the rest of