The Virginia enterprise. [volume] (Virginia, St. Louis County, Minn.) 1893-19??, 1907-02-01
line later I landed In Chicago.

/ Tune later landed In Chicago. j
worked In real estate Office, then the
post Office an6 finally became q rail-
way mail services man. studied dur
ing my spare moments and thus ac-
quired fair education. I saved my
money, invested it carefully, and grad
ually it grew until had a competence.
Then I moved to Duluth, engaged in
real estate operations, was more than
fortunate, and to-day I am worth the
greater part of three quarters of a
million dollars. I am a member OF
several clubs and societies and am
we'll thought of generally" All this
time was told. with a sincerity and
earnestness which forbade any idea
of vanity. Co.. Cheney waited for the
crux of the story. He knew it was
yet to come. Farwell again continued:
All these years have had desire
to know who and what am; who and
where my parents are, and their rea-
sons for deserving me and leaving me
to the tender mercies of strangers.
But now that desire has become the
paramount object of my entire life.
l have placed my business affairs in
such shape that, If necessary, I can
devote all my time and income to the
solution of this problem" Still. the
climax had not come; Farwell was
holding something back. Cheney
looked at him keenly, and said:
mr.. Farwell, why is this desire SO
paramount now; what is the real rea-
SOM"
Farwell hesitated, coughed slightly,
colored up and fidgeted in his chair.
well you see, colonel, I-er-damn
it, colonel, I want to get married"
This declaration seemed to relieve
him greatly. Some time ago I met
Miss Blanche Davis, daughter of a very
prominent man of Duluth. love her;
she loves me; W.. are engaged. But
this frightful mystery of my birth
so haunts me cannot allow her to
link herself to me until that is
cleared up. The postmaster here in
Chicago is warm friend of mine.
have successfully invested money for
him, and I came here to see him.
Last night told him my story, and
he urged me to see you, and said ii
you would personally take the case
he thought the solution could be
made. That's the reason of my visit
and you won't refuse it, will you,
colonel?" There was world of visit.
fulness, of pleading, of entreaty in the
young mans voice.
my Cod" he went on. "Think what
it means to me, and to Blanche
AS he repeated the woman's name
his voice sank to a tender whisper.
Does the young lady know, Mr.
Farwell?'
Eyes, she knows, and-God bless
her-says she will marry me, name or
no name. But her father is as proud
as Lucifer, and I haven't told him yet
nor do I want to, unless you find
am-nameless. That would be the
end, l am afraid. I love Miss Davis
too honestly even to allow the finger
of scorn to be pointed at her because
some. carping, woman found out her
husband was nameless:' ~
II know that's a way the dear WON
en- have sometimes" drawled Cheney
But will you take the case, colonel?
Money is no object at all; I'll give you
half my fortune. Yes, I'll give you
all of it and begin over again If you
will only find me name. 7 want a
name!"
Cheney studied for a moment, men.
tally going over his calendar and en-.
gagements. Just now things were in
pretty good shape. Sid Guthrie could
come in and look after the details OF
the Office.
VERY well, Mr.. Farwell, I'll take
the case. You must not expect results
Immediately. have very little to 60
on, but hope in the end to present
you with name, as you desire. You
will return to Duluth and pursue the
even tenor of your way. Attend
strictly to your business, and do not
be alarmed if you do not hear from
me every day. I'll communicate when.
ever I find out anything of impor.
tance"
Farwell's eyes glistened as Col
Cheney spoke. He sprang to his feet
grasped the colonels hand and shook
it heartily.
THANK you, Colonel, thank you
| I feel better already. I know you'll
succeed"
well, I'll try, Mr.. Farwell; I'll dc
my best. We don't always succeed
you know. Good morning"
Miss Wood" said Cheney, when
that young lady reported in response
to his ring, "send telegram to Guth
rie to report to me here tomorrow
morning. He's in st. Louis to-day
and ought to reach Chicago in plenty
Of time.''
That day Cheney arranged all his
affairs so he could leave. He made il
a rule never to tell any one about
his personal work, where he was 20
ing, or what he was going to do
Guthrie, of course, would know where
mail or kilograms would reach him
but that was all. Col. Cheney also
went over every detail of Farwelrs
story. He never made notes, save
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