Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1906-09-25

y
reE ections took this shape:
The old man SHE'D at telling her
outright. 1 wonder why. He is chock
full of tact, the smoothest old boy l
ever FELL up against He thinks there
may have been little troubles here, per-
hars Well, guess he's right
In the service room he found Brand
cleaning Il lamp calmly and methodic-
al,y. All the stores had been carried
dow. .istairs and the storeroom key Civ
ell over to the purser.
II am glad you have turned up" said
the lighthouse keeper. "Oblige me Dy
openfng that locker and taking back
the articles l purloined recently. If
tie purser asks for an explanation, tell
him the truth and say 1 am willing to
eat this stuff now for my sins"
Pyne noticed that Brands own let
ters lay in a small pile on the writing
desk With two exceptions, they were
unopened. AS matter of fact, he had
glanced at the superscriptions, saw
that they were nearly all from Stran-
gers and laid them aside until night
fell and the lighting of the lamps would
give him a spare moment.
''I'll do that with pleasure" said the
American, "but there's one thing I
want TO discuss with you while there
is a chance Of being alone. My uncle
says he has written to YOU"
TO me?'
Yes. 1t deals with an important
matter too. 1t concerns Enid
Mr.. Trail has written to me about
Enid?" repeated Brand, stopping his
industrious polishing to see if Pyne
were joking with him.
That's so. See; here is his letter
1t viii tell it's own story. Guess you'd
better read it right away"
The young man picked up one of the
sealed letters on the table and handed
it to the other.
Setting aside a glass chimney and a
wash leather, Brand lost no time in
reading Mr.. Trailps communication.
Save that his lips tightened and his
face paled slightly, there was no out
ward indication of the tumult the writ
ten words must have created in his
soul, for this is what met his aston
ished vision:
Dear Mr.. Brandt hope soon to make
your acquaintance. 1t will be an honor to
meet a man who has done so much for
those near and dear to me, but there is
one reason why l am anxious to grasp
your hand which is so utterly beyond
your present knowledge that I deem it a
duty to tell you the facts-to prepare you.
in a word. 90
Circumstances have thrown me into the
company of Lieutenant Stanhope. We
had a kindred inspiration. He, I under
stand, is. in effect if not in actual recorded
fact the accepted suitor of your adopted
daughter, known as Miss Enid Trevillion.
I, although an older man, can share his
feelings, because I engaged to be
married to Mrs. Vansittart, lady whom
you have, by Gods help, rescued. Hence
Mr. Stanhope and 1 have almost lived to-
gether, ashore and afioat. during these
troubled days. Naturally, he spoke of the
girl he loves and told me something Of
her history. He described the brooch
found on her clothing, and a MIR. Jones.
retired from the lighthouse service, who
was present when you saved the child
from speedy death. informs me that her
linen was marked "E T."
These facts, combined with the date and
Mr.. Jones description of the damaged
boat, lead me to believe that the girl is
my own daughter, Edith Trail, whom
you have mercifully preserved to gladden.
the eyes of a father who mourned her
death and the death of her mother for
nineteen years.
can say no more at present. I am not
making differences not justified in other
Ta.S; re- G--I l setting up n fathers
claim to rob You of the affections of
beautiful and accomplished daughter. l
will be content-rnore than content-if
she can give to me a 1.-THE of the love
she owes to you, for, indeed, in Mr.. Stan
hope and in all others who know you,
YOU have eloquent witnesses. Yours most
sincerely, CYRUS j. TRAILL.
2. S.-Let me add as an afterthought
that only my nephew and you have re-
ceived this information. The agonized
suspense which the ladies must have en-
dured on the rock is a trial more than
sufficient to tax their powers. If, as I
expect, Mr.. Stanhope meets You first, he
will be guided wholly by your advice as
TO whether or not the matter shall be
made known to your Enid-to my Edith
before she lands.
Brand dropped the letter and placed
his hands over his face He yielded
for an instant to the stupor of the in
telligence
Pyne came near to him and said,
with an odd despondency in his voice:
Say. you feel bad about this. Guess
you'll hate our family in future"
why should 1 hate any one who
brings rank and fortune to one of my
little girls?"
"Weu." went on Pyne anxiously,
shell be Mrs. Stanhope, anyhow, be-
fore she's much older
That appears to be settled. All
things have worked out for the best.
Most certainly your excellent uncle and
shall not fall out about Enid, If it
comes to that we must share her as
daughter
Pyne frightened considerably. rs he
learned how Brand had taken the
blow.
'Oh. bully!' he cried. 'sThat's clear
way out. Do you know, was begin
ming to feel scared. I didn't count a
little bit on my respected uncle setting
up title to Enidr'
So : s.Sk 3 SSs - (
EnY kHANn~-