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

him. He was arrested and tried. He
told a story no one credited, that
Charles Ralston had Sent him from his
house to the bank for papers, after
keeping him busy there over the books
all the evening. But Ralston swore
that he had not been at home that
evening, and proved 1t; that the keys
of the vault safe, found hanging In the
| key hole, were stolen from his desk,
and he had not sent his clerk to the
bank. So Ralph was convicted and
sentenced. He escaped! Elsie, l had
saved fifty pounds for my wedding gar
ments. l went to see him In prison,
and, knowing he was innocent, l gave
him the money to bride the keeper of
his cell. The man took it, and Ralph
was tree. l have never known If he
lived or died until tonight.
after he was gone, your mother was
taken ILL., Before her marriage she had
worked for the same establishment
where 1 was employed, and knew her
we'll. The shock of her husbands
death was too severe for her, and she
never rose from her bed. though she
lived three months. When she died
promised you should be my charge
and never know the shadow upon your
life until you were a woman"
Elsie was sobbing quietly, after lift
ing to her lips the gentle hand thai
had given her all she had ever expert
enced of life's blessings.
There was long silence after Mis-.
; Merriman ceased speaking, and tn,
gray dawn was creeping In at the win
dows when, softly kissing her, Aun
Della told Elsie to go to rest.
But for herself there was no rest
Feverishly, with an agitation altogeth
err unlike her usual quiet, she waited
the coming of her lover who had fie,
from his unjust sentence twenty year
= before, but who was free now, and hi
u innocence known. The day was young
and Elsie was sleeping still, when b
came.
Della was waiting for him in tn
:. drawing-room. There was no affecta
- ton of youth in her silver-gray silk
u and the square of black lace upon he
soft hair; but, instead of a brooch
- there fell upon the knot of ribbon a
her throat the pearl locket Ralph ha,
= given his betrothed. She stood up t
greet the stern-faced man who ad
> vanced to meet her, trying to fin
&c traces of her lover. Not until he smile
tenderfy I'D she recognize him.
Is Then, her own eyes dim with tears
she said softly:
you are more than welcome. an
rejoiced the cloud is lifted from you
s. life, Ralph"
! And he, holding the trembling han,
fast in his strong ones, answered:
e Il have found you at last. begal
u to fear you were dead, Della. My littl
love, my darling!"
l. ralph" she said, the bright blus
rising to her faded cheeks, "you for
Ii get we are gray haired, elderly pee
ple!"
Il II forget everything but that you ar
% here, that the hope that has seemed
y dream Of madness for twenty years
II realized. 1 have been In California
Della, all these years., amassing wealth
/ under another name, working for gol
% to drown thought. 1 have led a bus
y life, but there has not been one hou
when l have not pictured such happ
l. ness as this. You are mine, Della
1t You will not send me from your 70
e will be my wife?"
1, "If you wish it," she said softly, he
% own faithful heart thrilling under til
RI sincerity of his tone, 81 have neve
o. ceased to love you or to pray for 70,
IL Ralph"
u Society speculated upon the br.e
. courtship, for there was a quiet wei
III ding within a month, but nobody kne
" of the painful past save Elsie, th
cherished child still of Ralph Carrin,
L ton and his Wife.-Wayerley.