Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1907-09-07

- Ao'' oA'oA INTRODUCTION TO society,
10 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;
ana Elsie had Joined the family of n
friend.
memory was very busy In Della Mer-
rIhans heart as she sat over the fire
during Else's absence-so busy. that
she started as II from dream when
the carriage rolled to the door as the
ihantel clock chimed two.
Ihere were words OF parting, then
ight 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 a pleasant evening
dear?' Miss Della asked
Yes-no-I don't know. Are Won
very tlred?"
Inc last words were all of the dis
connected answer the girl seemed able
to give on account of her emotion
mo, dear! Why Elsie, love, what Is
It, For she was looking troubled
/ have a message for you, auntie."
For me?"
From a stranger who was at Mrs.
Walton's-Mr. Carrington-RaIph Cor.
rington."
Della Merriman rose to her feet she
tried to speak, but the words woulA not
come.
"Auntie,' the girl cried, terrified,
don't look so-don't"
The messageT Miss Merriman
whispered
He told me to tell you that the man
who killed Harry Garnan was Charles
Ralston, the cashier Of the Hope Bank.
who had confessed his guilt. He said
| Tell Miss Merrman that tomorrow
VIII see her. AuntIe," Elsie contin-
ued, with urgent entreaty, what does
it mean? was not Harry Garman nv
father?"
Yes, child. It MEANS" Miss MarrI-
man said solemnly, that the cross that
for twenty years has lain Oh NV life
has lifted tonight. You shall know NIL
Elsie, at once l will not send Won 10
sleepless bed, child, with your heart
so troubled. But give ME a 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. l 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
brownY
mo, tall, grave man, with stern
features smoothly shaver, with gray
ish hair"
True! true! 1 had forgotten He
must be As"
when he was introduced to me, he
touched the locket upon my neck. Par
don me- he said, If am too curious:
but your name and that trinket are
connected with so much In my life that
venture to ask you something CON
corning them. The locket first. Did
not some one give 1t to you-a lady?" |
His looks were SO eager, that l told
him the locket was yours. Then be led
me on little by little, until l told him
my whole life. He said he had been
here two months seeking for you. lie
did not look for a wealthy woman, but |
one poor and solitary. Then l inform /
ed him how poor we had been; and |
about your cousin, and how you had |
lavished every good thing on me. And |
then, auntie, he whispered half to him |
self that bad no claim On you. What |
did he mean? Are you not my aunt?" |
mo, dear, there Is no tie of blood |
between US. Your claim is the claim |
of love; Tor you have been the one |
comfort, thu one sunshine, of my lonely |
life Twenty years ago, Elsie, Ralph |
Darlington gave me thu locket you |
have upon your neck, a gift OF betroth- /
al, for we loved each O.her truly, and |
we're engaged TO be married. | was a |
poor girl, making artificial flowers for /
bread-an orphan, too. He was assist /
ant cashier of the Hope Bank, where
your father was night gYatchman, and /
Charles Ralston was the bead cashier. |
Ralston was in love WITH Ine, and pur-
sued me with unwelcotne attentions.
zone day, to rid himselr of bis i'm
portunities, told him had pT9mised
to marry Ralph. He lef. me IA rage.
Only one week later tho feuk rTas en-
tered at night, your father ab0rf t5arough
the heart, and Ralph Csarfhgf1ru dis
covered in the vault trysAe tn revive