Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1906-10-12
THE BOND
By GEO. T. EATON

INTO their home there was a buzz of
excitement in the neighborhood. The
were childless. But even
so, the neighbors felt that the affair
was unusual at least, and that some
explanation should be forthcoming.
me busy inquiries ELECTED the in
formation that the baby had been
by Mr.. Billman himself, and
brought home to Mrs. Billman, with
a request that she take it and rear il.
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 q dupe.
Little Ethel, as she was called,
grew and fourished under the good
care of Mrs. Billman until she be-
came a 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 If Ethers 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 oma with a regal carriage,
standing before him.
Mrs. Van Dorst!" he exclaimed.
after a moment of stupefied staring.
Pardon me, but l did not get your
card"
mo, 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. q
have been deprived of her for foul
years, and supposed Ernest took hel
to Europe with him until a few days
ago l learned that he had employed
you to put her in the hands O
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 thi.
matter l am acting as the attorney
for your husband, and it would b,
the most fragrant breach of trust tt
give you any information whatever.
"This is especially true" he added
gently, and with a touch O
pity In his voice, 'inasmuch as l hav,
on my desk a letter instructing m,
to bring suit for divorce and to sc
cure for him the custody of tn,
child"
He can never do it." she replied
with deadly calmness, although he
eyes blazed like diamonds. mo, no
rel with your help. He can have hi
divorce, and welcome. But not tn,
little girl. I don't know anythin,
about courts of law, or anything o
that sort, but l will find a way Il
prevent 1t If 1t ends in a tragedy.
Then, melting into tears, she
threw out her arms and said: "Is sh
alive? Is she we'll? Tell me, oh, /
you have a drop of human blood ii
you, tell me-"
The lawyers eyes were s%uspiciousl
moist as he replied in tones a
steady as he could command:
She is well, Mrs. Van Dorst, and i
the best Of hands, where everythin
is being done for her-and I think
may say she is happy"
Il thank you for so much of con
fort" she replied, as she swept fror
the office. Then, turning at the dool
she added: 81 warn you and you
client that I will defeat you in thi
villainous plot. My husbands susp
cions are unjust and untrue and crue
and while I will not fight his d
vorce, If it does not involve the los
of my child, I will fight him and 20
and the law and everything in tn
universe with every weapon in a de-
perate woman's power before I wi
submit to the loss of my baby"
A few weeks later a sturdy, tanned
well-groomed young man invade
Lawyer Billman's office carrying wit
him the smell of the ocean and tn
atmosphere of a domineering spiri
He was a handsome fellow, with a
the marks of birth and breeding-an
the suggestion of willfulness born
indalgent parents and admirin
friends. His strong, handsome fe'
lures were marred only by the ju,
Imposition of the eyes which sugges
od iaaIouay and SugniciOn