Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1906-12-26
After Many Years.


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After Elsie had left her she put aside
the 1ewel-case, and sat musing before
the fire. She had made It one of her
duties to her adopted child to accom-
pany her, after introduction to society,
to all scenes Of gayety. But a severe
cold had rendered exposure to the
night air an imprudence on this, the
evening OF Mrs Walton's large party;
and Elsie had Joined the family Of a
friend.
Memory was very busy In Della Mer-
riman's heart as she sat over the fire
during Elsie's absence-so busy, that
she started as II from dream when
the carriage rolled to the door as the
mantel clock chimed two
There were words Of parting, then
light steps on the stairs. and Elsie
came In. not as usual, full of bright
animation, but with an earnestness of
purpose quite unusual to her.
Did you have a pleasant evening,
dear" Miss Della asked.
"Yes--no-I don't know. Are you
very tired2"
The last words were all Of the dis
connected answer the girl seemed able
to give on account of her emotion.
mo. dear! Why Elsie love. what Is
It, For she was looking troubled.
u have a message for you. auntie."
"For me?"
From stranger who was at Mrs.
Walton's-Mr. Carrington-Ralph Car.
rington."
Della Merriman rose to her feet, she
tried to speak. but the words wouiu not
come.
"Auntie." the girl cried, terrified,
don't look so-don't."
The messager Miss Merr,man
whispered.
HE told me to tell you that the man
who killed Harry Garnan was Charles
Ralston, the cashier of the Hope Bank,
who had confessed his guilt. He said,
Tell Miss Merriman that tomorrow I
will see her Auntie." Elsie contin.
ued, with urgent entreaty. what does
1t mean7 was not Harry Garman ny
father"
Eyes, child. II MEANS" Miss Merri.
man said sOlemnly, that tho cross that
for twenty years has lain on my life
has lifted tonight. You shall know nil.
Elsie, at once. l will not send you to
a sleepless bed, child. with your heart
50 troubled. But give me few mo-
ments to think of your tidings, and tell
me how this message came to BIZ EN-
trusted to you"
Mrs Walton came to me late In
the evening. and asked permission TO
introduce Mr.. Darlington. I noticed a
stranger, who looked at me very ear
nestly."
"A tall. handsome man, with curl
ing brown hair, and pleasant features,
wearing Il full beard of waving golden
browne"
mo, a tall. grave man. with stern
features, smoothly shaven, with gray
ish hair"
True! truel I had forgotten. He
must ba 49,"
when he was introduced to me, he
touched the locket upon my neck. Par
don me- he said, II am too curious;
but your name and that trinket are
connected with 30 much In my life that
venture to ask you something con-
cernlng them. The lecket first Did
not some one give 1t to you-a lady 2"
His looks we're 80 eager. that told
him the locket was yours. Then he led
me on, little by little, until l told him
my whole life. He said he had been
here two months seeking for you. lie
did not look for wealthy woman, but
one poor and solitary. Then | inform
ed him how poor we had been; and
about your cousin, and how you had
lavished every good thing on me. And
then. auntie. he whispered half to him
self that had no claim on you. What
did he mean? Are you not my aunt?"
"No, dear. there Ia no tie of blood
between us. Your claim Is the claim
Of love; for you have been the one
comfort. the one sunshine, OF my lonely
life. Twenty years ago. Elsie, Ralph
Darlington gave me tfe iocket you
have upon your neck, a GIT of betroth-
al, for We loved each o:her truly. and
were engaged to be married. l was a
poor girl, making artificial flowers for
bread-an orphan, too. lie was assist
ant cashier of the Hope Bank, where
your father was night watchman, and
Charles Ralston was the bead cashier.
Ralston was in love with me, end pur-
| Sund mo with uDweIcofnA stfanfIop
zone day, to rid himAe6 of bis I'M
portunities, told him had premised
to marry Ralph. He lef. me "a rage.
Only one week later the reuk nas en-
tered at night, your father Raf.e Sarough
the heart, and Ralph Cstr'bsfm dis
covered In the vault trying n revive