The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1910-08-25

''Ah, praise God for what this
night has brought forth. Well
might the eyes Of that child recall
the memory of your sorrowful past.
She is your own daughter. Her
mother is your lawful wife, who has
been faithful and true to your mem
ory and your child all these years."
My daughter! My wife! Faithful
and true all these yearsH And
Arthur Benton sank back into his
chair with his head upon his arms
and sobbed. God! can this be true?
Were we both deceived, after all?
l have often thought it may have
been so, but dared not believe it,
Yes,' said Mr.. Black, you were
both deceived by the cruel scheme
devised by your wife's proud, heart
less and naughty step-mother.
When Ethel arrived in London
she was surprised to receive letter
from her husband, presumably, that
had come by the same boat in which
she had crossed. The letter con-
tanned practically the same message
as the one you received. 1t said
that you had shalnefully deceived
her; that you were the husband of
another woman; that you hoped she
would forgive you, as she would
never see you again.
When Mrs. Penner discovered
that Ethel was soon to become a
mother she wrote her husband to
that effect. He swore he would dis
own his daughter and never permit
her to return to his home unless she
first forsook the child. This she re-
fused to do. She went to a home
for friendless women where the child
was born. After working out as
governess for two years she wrote
to me, explaining her sad story. |
sent her money and asked her to
come and live with me, my wife
having died the year previous. She
came and has been with me ever
since.
And now 1 must hurry to the
docks to meet her and prepare her
for the happy surprise in store for
her. In the meantime you may en-
JOY Gods greatest gift to man-the
company and confidence Of a pure
hearted child"
When Mr.. Black and his niece re-
turned half hour later, they found
little Ethel sitting on her fathers
knee, with her arms lovingly en-.
twined about his neck, for the firs1
time in all her young life. The
next instant husband and wife oi
twelve years before were locked il
each others arms.
"Oh, Arthur, Arthur, my husband
Thank God l have found you! Fa
ther told me all when he was sick an(
thought he was dying. But now ht
is we'll again and his only wish is t.
find you and atone for the suffering
he has caused us"
| AS Mr.. Black left the room, tha
the three might be alone in thei
happiness, he met Mrs. Smith in tn
hallway.
Mrs. Smith, do you know why
J asked you to come over here tonight
or this morning, rather?''
why, 1 supposed it was that yo
| might witness the happy meeting be
tween me and my son."
Yes, that is quite true. But
had another and more selfish purpose
still. Mrs. Smith, | have loved 20
r for years, but dared not speak o
7 account of the dark cloud that ha
l hung over your life since Harry
disappearance. / knew you woul
8 not listen. But now that the mist hs
3 cleared away, [ am going to ask fo
s my reward for the enduring patienc
). / have exhibited all these years.
I may not be considered chivalrous fo
8 a gentleman to summon lady frol
4 Dreamland at two o'clock in th
Y morning for the selfish purpose {
t begging her to share his lot in lif
: but, my dear Mrs. Smith, will 70
not complete this night of diviI
o blessings by giving your consent
f my becoming Harry's step-daddy'
d Say yes,' mother" piped voi'
e behind them, he's dear old ma
f after all, and I'd love to call hi
dad"
r. And Harry's mother, with ju
d the slightest feint of resistance, 9
lowed herself to be embraced in Il
l. arms of her future husband.
Thus endeth the story of what
II night brought forth.
A. o. III.