The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1909-07-20

most ADVERSE circumstances, has WOu
the esteem and respect of all with
whom he has come in contact since re-
siding in Australia. He only made one
slip in his life, but it has cost him
we'll, God only knows what! When he
left he expressed hope to me that, II
he married, l would take care of any !
children with whom he was blessed
and bring them up in total ignorance
Of who their father was. This prom
Used to do. lie married out there and
you were born, but in giving birth to
you your mother died. When you were
four years old he sent you to me.
When you attained your majority he
instructed me TO tell you the secret OF
his life, and begged that you would
not judge him too harshly. Through
| hard work he has gained substantial
fortune, and from this day you will
receive from the lawyers sufficient
capital that will yield an income of
$1,000 year. You will now hear
"Stop!" said Harry, quietly, with
strange, hard look in his face. II can
not and will not touch one penny OF
my fathers money He has deceived
me. He had no right to bring me up
with the thought that his life had
been beyond reproach. 1t was cruel
cruel-cruel!"
He was pacing the room now; his
face was white and set.
"Jessie-the girl to whom l am en-
gaged-what will she say? What am
to tell her?-I. who have always
been taught to be truthful and open
ever since | learned to speak. have
been kept in ignorance Of that which
l ought to have known, and what she
ought to have known"
1T was done with a noble purpose,
and worthy of the noble mind that en-
tertained it," broke in his guardian
quickly. Were your fancee to know
the whole story she would revere
and honor the name you bear"
II shall hear nothing until we are
70 married" retorted Harry. with rapid
ly rising anger. lis it not enough that
my-my father has killed my faith in
him? Now you wish to kill her faith
in me. No! no, no! can't hear the
TRUTH" and he strobe from the room
He staggered blindIy into the din
ingroom. But he paused on the
threshold. He saw Jessie sta nding near
the window, and by her, with his hand
roughly Selling hers, stood James Ban
ton, his rival.
Jessie, l desire an explanation" he
said, quietly, but with a voice that
i shook with suppressed passion and
s jealousy.
With a startled cry the girl turned
? round.
n My explanation is this" put in
r Banton, with sneer, that the son of a
S common forger is not suitable hus-
: band for Miss Payne's niece."
h "Recall those words." shouted Har-
ry, you lying scoundrel,"
5 They are true" sneered Ranton
S "Twenty-three years ago your father
e forged check, was convicted, inpris
S oned, and finally left for Australia
where he has since lived. If you dom
- believe it, have ample proof. Go an.
:. ask Rev. William Maryland"
g 1T is lie! q lie liar." thunderet
!, Harry.
1T isn't true, it isn't true" cries
l. Jessie, moving towards him.
2; The shout had brought Miss Payn
as and Rev. Maryland into the room.
e you are not the son OF Henry Dain
III ing, as you think. but of James Tren
- ton, the forger. one and the sam
II mani"
f. Atthese statements Miss Payne CAV
strange cry. Jessie ran to her.
~ "Auntie, auntie, say it's not true"
~ Then Rev. Maryland stepped forwar
"a and told them tale of how a man ha
le fallen among evil companions, had 60
n into debt and had forged check: no,
IS he had once been engaged To Miss Fri.
AZ ella Payne, and how he had gone I
+ Australia to start life afresh, feelin
that he was unworthy of her gres
Vi love. He told them of the honore
name he had won, of his hard. bite
cy struggle, and of his fortune reaped b
vo long years of toll, of his marriage to
en- woman who, in giving birth to Harr,
ne had died; how the father swore thu
er his child should never know what h
father had been, SO he sent him to Ii,
y in America at sacrifice that nor
y, would ever know.
ut And you, James Banton," thu
uSAOu VIC SiCl ~ LldA, With I1RnteOl
ee wrath, you. the only one in the far
lily who knows the secret, throuc
IN jealousy must use your knowledge
ne a base and foul way, in order to crus
ar- the love Of that true, pure girl Their,
pointing to Jessie-"for Harry, tt
ne son of that splendid spirit, Jam
ng Trenton, threatening disclosures II
ne less he sent you more money Chez
ur after check you received"
1T is scandalous lie." gasped Ba
cn ton, with a livid face. NO one CT
mt gainsay it."
IN Yes, l will gainsay it," said 10
us quiet voice: Il arrived from Austral
u last night. l am James Trenton, ali
William Daining"
at All looked up startled. In the doc
ing way stood an old man with bow
ar head. Miss Priscilla looked up:
ne. 20. James, james," she cried. RI
III ming to him. "VOu come hark f+ar