The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-01-13

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claims, and these were SO manifestly
fraudulent that the matter was never
carried into court. When felt myself
firmly settled in my position and rec
ognized as the legal possessor of these
millions I quickly left Cleveland and
went to New York. Taking rooms in
the most retired hotel could find I
began the search delegated to me. I
went, first, to the directory and took
the addresses of all the famil., IS by the
name Of Rogers that were to be found
there; then where their position war
ranted it I visited these families, and
where it did not, learned through
such persons as thought it safe to'em-
among the daughters, and if there was
I contrived to see the girl, often finding
one glimpse to be enough to satisfy me
as to her ineligibility.
"The child Of Abram Rogers was the
first one that struck me favorably.
Not that was satisfied even with her
beauty, but had seen so many bold
and uncultivated girls among my wan
derings among the poorer classes,
where I naturally went first, that I
could not but be struck by her inno-
cent naiVete of expression and the in
herent goodness to be discerned in her
sweet face. But when had made up
my mind to know her better, and, with
this purpose in view, called at the
house where she lived, was shocked
to hear that sickness and death had
been before me, and that the fair
young girl had passed forever from my
reach and from that Of the money with
which I had contemplated endowing
her. :"
Thrown off my balance by this incl
dent I next visited the various schools,
and though did not find scholar to
suit me, I heard of a young teacher
who was said to possess every personal
and mental attraction which one could
desire in woman. So warmly was
she praised that became assured even
before seeing her that my task was at
an end, and could hardly contain my
impatience while waiting for the letter
of introduction which had sought for
and obtained from a member Of the
school board, in whom I was happy to
recognize an old friend.
"And when I went into this girls
humble home and noted its neatness
and the marks of good taste which
everywhere abounded, I did not need
the sight of her winning yet intelligent
face to recognize the presence of one
of those domestic angels who grace
any home and nobly fill the most ele-
vated stations. talked with her, and
my liking and admiration grew. Had
she not risen to her feet, as she pres
emily did, and thereby betrayed a Sc
rlous lameness, which robbed her of
that indisputable claim to beauty upon
which Mr. Delaney had laid such stress
I should doubtless have committed my
self irTetrievably, for my sympathy
and interest had both been awakened,
and more than this was unnecessary at
the time, so weary had I become of
my task and so hopeless was I Of find
ing any worthy prototype Of the noble
and beautiful being who had been SO
much beloved by Mr.. Delaney.
"But this physical disability Of hers
at once marked her as unfit for the po-
sition for which I sought her. dared
not give Mr.. Delancy's money to one
conspicuous for defect when he had
hidden me choose absolute beauty, at
least not till I had sought further and
found beyond all dispute that the city
held no one of her name at once more
charming and more worthy. So re-
commenced my search, and this time
went the round of the private schools.
"And here want to say that. what
ever consequences may have followed
my undoubtedly mysterious actions, I
am conscious of having done nothing
that would in any way lay me open to
the charge even Of ungentlemanly con-
duct. I tried to make my inquiries and
take all necessary observations myself,
which was, perhaps, mistake, but I
never wilfully led any girl to think l
took q personal interest in her, nor did
I ever breathe word or give a glance
that could be wrongly misconstrued
without the aid Of the girls own van
ity. I say this now. because, accord
ing to Mr.. Gryce, events for which I
am not in any way responsible fol-
lowed my discovery Of very pretty
Miss Rogers in Miss Hadden's school.
She received letter inviting her to an
interview in the jersey depot. But I
never wrote that letter. I simply
paused when she and her companion
passed by me on their way to church
or concert, looking at her most certain
ly, but not with impertinence, or even
with any extraordinary interest, for
soon saw that she possessed nothing
beside rather ordinary prettiness to
recommend her to my regard, and mere
prettineSs. even Of an extraordinary
nature, was not enough to charm these
millions out Of my pocket as long rs
there was a single Jenny Rogers in
New York who possessed virtue as
we'll as beauty, and character as well
as grace.
From her, then, soon turned, what.
ever evidence you may adduce to the
contrary. If card bearing my name
was found in q letter received by her
that card was either stolen from my
pocket or forged by some persons anx-
ious to get me into trouble. I was
seeking noble. self-sacrifcing wom-
an NOT q sillv and romantic school pirl