The Republican journal., 1907-01-24
cision had been made-and made ir-

cisiOn had been made-and made IT.
revocably.
"Mr. Malcolm" she said, II have
story to tell you-and am inclined to
believe that when have finished you
will not call me quixotic or foolish as
Mr.. Temple has just done. have de-
cided in my own mind a question of
conscience, and l hope-no, believe,
that you will approve of my decision"
She paused, and John Malcolm bowed
his head gravely, waiting. From an
other woman he might have expected
something trivial, even after such
words As these-for the Rev. John had
fair parishioners who brought to him
their questions of conscience-but here
he knew that he stood before the out
come of long and bitter struggle
and he waited.
after Caleb Ainsley's DEATH" Fred
RIGA said at last, 81 found among my
father's-among Frederick Ainsley's
private papers, proof that l was an
adopted child. l was rescued when an
infant from a railroad wreck, in which
my mother was killed. There was no
clue-nothing by which to identify me,
| and Frederick Ainsley and his wife
adopted me, and reared me as their
own. Frederick Ainsley brought me
here to his father as his own. Whether
or not he ever told Caleb Ainsley the
truth do not know, but l think that
he did not. think that Caleb Ainsley
died believing me to be his grand
daughter, and that he left me his
money because he was proud of what
he believed were my Ainsley traits OF
character. Lawyer Temple would
have me believe, because Caleb Ainsley
did not mention me in his will as his
granddaughter, but left his money
simply to Fredrica Ainsley. that he
knew that he left his money to me
because he wished it to be mine.x He
says that at least it is lawfully mine,
but | cannot feel it so. have no
moral right to it. The dream of Caleb
Ainsley's life was to help orphan boys
and / have today taken the necessary
steps to see that dream fulfilled. In
these past two years | have become an
expert stenograper. You little dream.
ed how hard l was working did your
and she smiled family. '1n short
time Caleb Ainsley's granddaughter
is going out from among you, into
world where bread is won by honest
work-and it will be sweeter bread
than any she has eaten SINCE Caleb
| AIuSlty ucdUI. Ii, duu I'VE WV AAoo
time her voice faltered, eff any
among you will give me a kindly
thought now and then-if any among
you will wish me well-will remember
me not as the proud Miss Ainsley
but as the girl who has struggled with
temptation in your midst and with
Gods help has found strength to do
what she believes is right, | shall be
glad to know that | may call you
friends" There are moments when
the veil grows so thin that we see
through the shadows of this world a
reflection of glory from the next. Such
a moment had come to John Malcolm.
''Fredrica," he said slowly, weighing
his words as was his fashion when
deeply moved, "Fredrica, only pure
gold comes forth unframed from the
fiery furnace. and pure gold-that
has been refined in a furnace seven
times heated-is a rare thing among
us. In this weighty matter your con.
science has been your guide-and l
honor you for your decision-but, dear:
l cannot let you go. l love you and
need you-my people need you. Your
place is here among us. Will you stay
as my wife?
And Fredrica stayed.
r. T. NEWELL.