The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-01-05

AFTER Elsie mad left her she put aside
the jewel-case, and sat musing before
the fire. She had made 1t one of her
duties to her adopted child to accom-
pany her, after introduction to society,
to all scenes of gayety. But a severe
cold had rendered exposure to the
night air an imprudence on this, the
evening of Mrs. Walton's large party;
and Elsie had Joined the family of
friend.
Memory was very busy In Della Mer-
rlman's heart as she sat over the fire
during Elsie's absence-so busy, that
she started as If from a dream when
the carriage rolled to the door as the
mantel clock chimed two.
There were words OF parting, then
light steps on the stairs, and Elsie
came in, not as usual, full of bright
animation, but with an earnestness Of
purpose quite unusual to her.
Did you have q pleasant evening,
dear?" Miss Della asked.
"4es-no-I don't know. Are you
very tired?"
connected answer the girl seemed able
to give on account of her emotion. -
mo, dear! Why Elsie, love, what is
1t" For she was looking troubled.
Il have a message for you, auntie."
For me?'
From a stranger who was at Mrs.
Walton's-Mr. Carrington-Ralph Car
rington."
Della Merriman rose to her feet. she
tried to speak, but the words woulu not
come.
"Auntie," the girl cried, terrified,
don't look so-don't."
''The messenger" Miss Merriman
whispered.
He told me to tell you that the man
who killed Harry Garman was Charles
Ralston, the cashier of the Hope Bank,
who had confessed his guilt. He said.
Tell Miss Merriman that tomorrow l
will see her. Auntle," Elsie contin-
ued, with urgent entreaty, what does
it mean? was not Harry Garman nv
father?"
Eyes, child. 1t MEANS" Miss Merri-
man said solemnly, that the cross that
for twenty years has lain on my life
has lifted tonight. You shall know all.
Elsie, at once. l will not send you to
sleepless bed, child, with your heart
so troubled. But give me few mo-
ments to think of your tidings, and tell
me how this message came to be en-
trusted to YOU"
Mrs. Walton came to ME late In
the evening. and asked permission to
introduce Mr.. Darlington. 1 noticed a
stranger, who looked at me very ear
nestly."
"a tall, handsome man, with curl
ing brown hair, and pleasant features
wearing a full beard of waving golden
brown"
mo, tall, grave man, with sterr
features, smoothly shaven, with gray
lsh hair"
True! true! had forgotten. He
must be 49,"
when he was introduced to me, he
touched the locket upon my neck. Par
don me- he said, II l am too curious
but your name and that trinket are
connected with SO much In my life thai
j venture to ask you something con
corning them. The locket first. DID
not some one give 1t to you-a lady p
His looks were SO eager. that TOLD
him the locket was yours. Then he LEI
me on, little by little, until told hin
my whole life. He said he had beer
here two months seeking for you. II,
did not look for a wealthy woman, bu
one poor and solitary. Then I inform
ed him how poor we had been; ant
lavished every good thing on me. Ant
then, auntie, he whispered half to him
self that had no claim on you. VIVA
did he mean? Are you not my aunt !?
mo, dear, there is no tie of bloot
} between us. Your claim Is the CLAIM
of love; for you have been the on,
comfort. the one sunshine, of my lionel!
life. Twenty years ago, Elsie, Ralpl
Darlington gave me the locket yol
have upon your neck, gift of betroth
al; for We loved each other truly, an,
were engaged to be married. l was
poor girl, making artificial flowers 70
bread-an orphan, too. He was assist
ant cashier of the Hope Bank, wher
: your father was night Waterman, an
Charles Ralston was the head cashier
Ralston was In love with me, and pur
sued me with unwelcome attentions.
Zone day, to rid himself of his i'm
portunities, l told him had promises
to marry Ralph. He left me in a rage
e Only one week later the bank was en-
s tered at night. your father shot throug
] the heart, and Ralph Darlington dis
covered In the vault trying to reyiy