The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1906-09-28
THE ETERNAL BOND
By GEO. T. EATON


took little two-year-old baby girl
into their home there was a buzz of
excitement in the neighborhood. The
Billmans were childless. But even
so, the neighbors felt that the affair
was unusual at least, and that some
explanation should be forthcoming
The busy inquiries elected the in
formation that the baby had been
found by Mr.. Billman himself, and
brought home to Mrs. Billman, with
a request that she take it and rear it..
Then there were quiet shakinss of
the head and whispered doubts as TO
the relationship of the lawyer with
the child. Some of the more inter
ested ones even expressed sympathy
for Mrs. Billman, and rather criti-
cised her as being weak and a dupe.
Little Ethel, as she was called.
grew and fiourished under the good
care of Mrs. Billman until she be-
came beautiful child of six-at once
the pride and despair of the neigh
borhood. Other pretty little ones
there were, but none TO hold a can
die to the dainty Ethel. At the Bill
man home she was simply worshiped.
Mr.. Billman, who never had been
particularly fond OF children, unbent
under the sunlight of Ethel's nature.
and became passionately fond of her:
and as for Mrs. Billman, she was never
happy while away from the little one.
Lawyer Billman was very busy
with a mass of papers when a rus
tie arrested his attention and he
glanced up to behold a tall. stylishly
dressed woman with regal carriage,
standing before him. ....
Mrs. Van Dorst!" he exclaimed.
after a moment of stupefied staring.
Pardon me, but | did not get your
card"
No, l did not send it in" she re-
piled, calmly. Il walked past the
door-boy. l wanted to be sure to see
you, and did not propose to be put
OF by a servant Mr.. Billman, l want
my baby. l have recovered my
health, and am going to establish a
home for myself and the little one"
But, my dear madam. you forget
that the child was placed where she
is by direction of Mr. Van Dorst, in
whose possession she was"
But she is mine, and | will have
her" cried the woman, with a men
ace in every tone and gesture. Il
have been deprived of her for four
years, and supposed Ernest took her
to Europe with him until a few DAYS
ago | learned that he had employed
you to put her in the hands of
strangers. Where is she? Tell me.
or | will tear the information from
you with my finger nails
You forget, madam replied the
lawyer, with dignity, that in this
matter l am acting as the attorney
for your husband, and it would be
the most fragrant breach of trust to
give you any information whatever"
This is especially true" he added
more gently, and with a touch of
pity in his voice, 'inasmuch as | have
on my desk a letter instructing me
TO bring suit for divorce and to Sc
cure for him the custody of the
child"
He can never do it," she replied.
with deadly calmness, although her
eyes blazed like diamonds. NO, not
even with your help. He can have his
divorce, and welcome. But not the
little girl. don't know anything
about courts of law, or anything of
that sort, but | will find a way to
prevent it If it ends in a tragedy"
Then, melting into tears. she
threw out her arms and said: "Is she
alive? Is she well? Tell me, oh. IL
you have a drop of human blood in
you. tell me-"
The lawyers eyes were suspiciously
moist as he. replied in tones as
steady as he could command:
She is well, Mrs. Van Dorst, and in
the best of hands. where everything
is being done for her-and l think |
may say she is happy"
Il thank you for so much of com.
fort" she replied, as she swept from
the Office. Then, turning at the door.
she added: II warn you and your
client that I will defeat you i'm this
villainous plot. My husbands suspi-
cions are unjust and untrue and cruel.
and while | will not fight his d.
vorce, If it does not involve the loss
of my child, | will fight him and you
and the law and everything in the
universe with every weapon in des-
perate woman's power before | will
submit to the loss of my baby"
A few weeks later a sturdy, tanned,
well-groomed young man invaded
Lawyer Billman's office carrying with
him the smell of the ocean and the
atmosphere of a domineering spirit.
He was a handsome fellow, with all
the marks of birth and breeding-and
the suggestion of willfulness born of
Indulgent parents and admiring
friends. His strong. handsome fea-
lures were marred only by the jux-
opposition of the eyes which suggest
ed jealousy and suspicion.
'Well?" he said.
II have followed your instructions"
reDlipd the LAWYER