Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1904-01-07

ION, nut ! suppose That my name Is
Alice Tarleton. 1t Is not certain how
ever. There Is very little to help out
the theory. Here is all the proof there
is. | don't know that it is worth any.
| thing"
She took off her locket and handed
1t to him.
He handled IL rather indifferently
for he was just then studying the fine
lines Of her face. But In moment he
! was Interested
'Tarlcton, Tarleton," he repeated.
Then he turned the little diskIof gold
over and saw the cnameled. drawing on
the back, crest clearly outlined.
He started. The crest was quite fa-
miliar.
'Where did you get thisY' he de-
manded in English and with snch blunt
suddenness that she was startled.
"Whcre did It come from"
II have always had IT,"
Always It's the Tarleton crest.
DO You belong TO that familyT
Indeed ] do not know. Papa Rous-
slllon says he thinks do"
well, this is strange and interest
ing said Beverley, rather to himself
than addressing her. lie looked from
the miniature 10 the crest and back
TO the miniature again, then at Alice.
II tell you this is strange" he repeat
cd, with emphasis. at Is exceedingly
strange"
Her checks flushed quickly under
their soft brown, and her eyes flashed
with excitement.
Eyes, / know" Her voice huttered.
her hands were claspcd I'm her lap. She
leaned toward him eagerly. 1t is
strange. I've thought about Il great
deal"
Alice Tarleton, that IL right Alice
Is name Of the family. Lady Alice
Tarlcton was the mother Of the first
Sir Garnctt Tarlcton who came over I'm
the time OF Nardley. It's great fam
lily, one OF the oldest and best I'm Vlr-
ginia." lie looked at her now with a
guzc Of concentrated interest under
which her eyes fell. why, this Is ro-
mantle he exclaimed. absolutely no
mantle. And you don't know how you
came by this locket? You don't know
who was your father, your motherY'
Il do not know anything"
And what does NJ. Roussillon know
Just as little"
"But how came he 10 be taking you
and caring for you? He must know
how he got you, where he got you. OF
whom he got you. Surely he knows
"Oh. l know all that. / was twelve
years old when Papa Rousslllon took
me, eight years ago. had been hav-
ing hard NE, and but for him must
have died. | was a captive among the
Indians. He took me and has cared for
me and taught me He has been very.
very good 10 me. love him dearly"
And don't you remember anything
NJ all about when. where, how, the In
.lians got youy"
NO" She shook her head and seem
I'd 60 be- trying 20 rccollcct something.
No, | just can't remember And yet |
there has always been something like q |
dream in my mind which | could not |
quite get hold Of | know that | am |
not Catholic. | vaguely remember a
sweet woman who taught me TO pray |
Ike this: our Father who art in heav- |
m, hallowcd be thy name"
And Alice went on through the beau. |
iful and perfect prayer. which she re-
peatcd In English with infinite sweet
ness and solemnity. her eyes uplifted, |
Ter hands clasped before her Bever-
ey could have sworn that she was a
'hining saint and that he saw an au-
cole.
Il know" she continued. that some
lime. somewhere. To very dear per
on, promised that never never, never
would pray any prayer but that. and
emember almost nothing else about
hat other life, which is far OF back
onder In the past, | don't know where |
sweet, peaceful. shadowy. a dream
hat have all but lost from my mind"
Beverloy's sympathy was deeply
moved. He sat for some minutes look
lg at her without speaking She, too,
'as pensive and silent while the fire
puttered and sang. the great logs !
ipNiy utluuS, the names TOSSING |
'isps of smoke into the chimney still
coming 20 the wind.
Il know, too, that am not French"
he presently resumed. but | don't
now just how / know IT, My first
lords must have been English, for l
ave always dreamed Of talking in that
'nguage, and my dimmcst half recol-
'ctions of the old days are Of large, /
'hite house and soft voiced black {
oman, who sang 10 me I'm that Ian
uage the very sweetest songs In the s
'orld."
Beverley listened as one who hears a
ever reader informing a strange and y
lptivating poem. To his mind II was l
ear that she belonged 10 the Tarle- !
m family OF Virginia. Youth always I
includes a matter at once. He knew u
me of the Tarletons. But It was a /
idely scattered family, its members (
Ting in almost every colony in Amer p