Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1906-10-04
The Eternal Bond.
BY GEO. T. EATON.

~ e8VU W. SVu1uU
BY GEO. r. EATON. s..
copyright. 1906, by Daily Story Pub. Coz
When Lawyer Billman and his wife
took little two-year7old baby girl
into their home there was buzz of
excitement in the neighborhood. The
Blllmans were childless But even
SO, the Ineighbors 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 shakings 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 flourished 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 Ethels 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. 5s'z p
MRS. Van Dorst!" he exclaimed,
after moment of stupefied staring.
Pardon me, but did not get your
card.'' *
mo, l did not send it in," she re-
niied, calmly. II walked past the
door-boy. I wanted to be sure to see
you, and did not propose to be put
of by a servant Mr.. Billman, want
my baby. I 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"t
But she is mine, and l will have
her, cried the woman, with a men.
ace in every tone and gesture. q
have been deprived of her for four
years, and supposed Ernest took he1
70 Europe with him until few days
ago l learned that he had employed
you to put her in the hands OF
strangers. Where is she? Tell me
or I will tear the information from
you with my finger nails" & Fla
you forget, madam replied tbs
lawyer, with dignity, "that in this
matter I am acting as the attorney
| for your husband, and it would BIZ
the most fragrant breach of trust tt
give you any information whatever
This is especially true" he added
more gently, and with a touch, o
pity in his voice, "inasmuch as have
on my desk letter instructing m,
to bring suit for divorce and to Sc
cure for him the custody Of tn,
child s.
HE can never do it. she replied
with deadly calmness, although he
i eyes blazed like diamonds. No, no
even with your help. He can have hi
divorce, and welcome. But not tn,
little girl don't know anythin
about courts of law, or anything 9
that sort, but will find way t
| prevent it if it ends. in a tragedy.
Then, melting into tears, sh,
threw out her arms and said: Is sh
alive? Is she well Tell me, oh, ]
i you have a drop Of human blood /
! you, tell me, z
The lawyers eyes were susprciousl
moist as he replied in tones q
steady as he could command,
She is well, Mrs. Van Dorst, and |
the best Of hands, where everythin
lis being done for her-anei think
may say she is happy. ~
Il thank yon for s. much Of cor
fort, she replied, as she swept fro
the Office Thes turning at the tlsr,
she added: warn you and 70,
client that 1 VIII defeat yon In ii,
villainous plot MY husbands sMsI
cions are unjust and untrue and crue