Los Angeles herald., 1906-11-11
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tgA{lE5l I have mentioned nothing about 3
wedding present yet"
well, no. Sir John, to tell the
truth. ] haven't You have been so exception
ally kind to me ever since my mother died. and
SO readily agreed to my marriage with Isabel
that ] do not look for further favors"
Oh tut, tut. Any little things | have been
able to do for you in the past have been amply
paid for by the valuable assitance you have given
me In my business When promised your
mother to look after you / little thought that
was taking my future partner under my charge. '
Partner, Sir JohnY
"Yes, my boy; that is my wedding present to
YOU and Isabel. ] have had all the documents
prepared, and from the day you marry nv niece
the business of John Dawson, which was estab.
lished by my greatgrandfather over century
ago, will henceforth be known as Dawson & Ard.
lamont"
Sir John, II cannot thank you: I"
There, my boy, you can thank me by saving
nothing 1t is my one wish to see YOU and Isabel
happy, and, although, ] am only giving you a
fourth share in the business at present, think
so far as money goes you ought to be fairly com.
Portable on five thousand a year"
II is princely income, Sir John, but never
could understand the great interest you have
"i""NS IdNcH III WeIdTe, ana tins last evidence
OF Your goodwill overwhems me-"
well, my boy, as you are about to become one
of the family, perhaps you have right to know.
l met your mother years ago, when was rather
more than middle-sged man. Hitherto NV life
had been devoted to business, politics and muni
cipal affairs. 1 was wealthy man, member
of Parliament and a magistrate but nv heart
had never yet been touched by woman until |
met her. She was young and very beautiful
| was twice her agej and while was hesitatinq
to ask her to share my lot, had to leave Eng.
land very suddenly upon important business. It
was some months before l returned, and then
too late"
'She was married~
Yes; she had married RUPERT Afdlamont and
gone to live at Liverpool. never saw your father
His affairs went wrong soon after they were mar:
ried, and he went abroad to try and retrieve his
fortunes"
And my mother?'
Your father, although comparatively poor
man, was very worthy one. Before the mar
rage he settled two hundred a year on his wife,
and refused to touch penny of it when the
trouble came. He left your mother in Liverpool.
and you were just month old"
"And he died?'
"Ah, that l cannot tell you. Your mother
heard nothing of him from the day he left Eng
land. Two years later she died heart-broken
woman, and almost with her last breath she ask
ed me to take charge of you"
And nothing has been heard of my father?"
Absolutely nothing; and as it is over twenty
years ago since he disappeared do not think
it probable that we ever shall hear. ANYWAY
that is the whole of the mystery. loved youI
mother and from that cause only looked after
you. When my niece Isabel was left an orphan
took her to hive in my house, and now my fond.
est hopes are about to be realized"
"Your hopes, Sir John?"
dyes hOpec. II al, H.
est wish to see you and Isabel married, and have
watched the trend of your affections with glad
heart and am thankful that I have lived to see
my hopes realized. Heaven bless you, my bow.
and may you both experience the happiness of a
mutual and steadfast love-"