The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1910-12-30

lieu tue Iauy NOIU uuc W SLY W uiui
that she was Cornelia; that l would be
carefully guarded and he needn't worry
about me ut all. Then she hung up the
receiver and led me back into the ROOM
with the fire on the hearth.
Now, the name Cornelia at once ar
rested my attention. A year before
when l had entered the third grade q;
school my father had brought down a
desk from the garnet for my use. l was
to keep my books and papers in 1t. and
it was to be my study desk in the
evening. In clearing 1t out l had
looked over several old papers that
were in 1t, and in one l had seen this
name Cornelia. More than this, the
contents of the paper had impressed
me. l could not remember the name
signed to it, but 1t was a woman's
name. She was evidently very Ill and
very penitent about some sin she had
committed.
Now that my father knew l was
safe I sat down on a sofa beside the
lady and before the cheerful fire. She
put her arms about me and rested her
cheek against mine. was very
happy.
$50 you are Cornelia." said.
"What do you know about Cor
nelia?" she asked quickly. "Have you
heard your father speak of me?"
"No, papa never mentioned the
name; | saw it on Il paper-a letter.
1 think"
"What paper. What letter."
zone l found in Il desk papa had
the butler bring down from the garrett
for me to use for a home school desk
"What was written on the paper"
Somebody was very sorry for'some-
thing she had done to Cornelia. She
said she was very sick"
"Who was very SICK"
"Why, the person who wrote the
letter."
"Who wrote it,"
II can't remember the name"
The lady asked the last few qucs-
lions fcverishly. She eagerly asked
another. Would l know the name If
1 heard it? l replied that l thought
l would. Then she asked If it was
Amy.
EYES," l replied; ''that's it. Amy"
The lady gave me a fierce hug. then
asked tremblingly what l had done
with the letter. 1 told her that l had
put all the papers l had found in the
desk together and given them to the
housekeeper to put away.
"Come with me-" said the lady. II
wish you to tell your father some
thing" She drew me to the telephone,
called up my father. then. placing me
in position to talk. told me what to
say.
Papa, ask Mrs. Crimmins for the
papers l took out of my desk. You
will find one among them signed Amy,
with something in it about Cornelia.
l will hold the wire till l hear from
you"
l heard a click and knew that my
father had gone to do as l had indi.
Gated. Cornelia awaited another cal
with feverish anxiety. Ten minutes
had not elapsed when there was a
ring. Then I heard my fathers voice
saying:
II have read Amy's letter. Since al!
is explained l see nc reason why your
location should remain 4 secret. Tell
the lady that if you give it to me J
will come to join you Immediately"
l received permission to give the
street and number, and within twenty
minutes there was a sharp ring at the
doorbell. My father entered. He and
the lady. stood regarding each other
for a few moments; then he lknelt be-
fore her and said:
Forgive me-"
He rose, and they were clasped in
each others arms.
But l. having no mind to be left out
Of these transports. running up to
them, said:
won't you take me in too?"
My father took me up and held me
in his arms. while the lady put hers
about me also, covering me with
kisses.
40 think" she said, that you
should have been the means of bring.
ing this matter to light"
II have been a FOOL" said my ia
ther, ito believe anything that fend
said;" then to me:
"My boy, this is your mother
Prompted by a malicious woman who
wrote a confession which she had not
either the courage or sufficient time
before her death to send, I treated
mamma very cruelty"
care you the lady," l asked of my
mother. "whQm I remember taking me
up from my crib n night when you
were crying and kissing mel"
'That was a goodby, though you
were too young to know 1t. I left you
suddenly on Christmas eve"
"And I have a faint remembrance Of
stockings hanging from the mantel."
Everything was ready for your
first Christmas-that is, the first you
could Observation-Disclosures
81 listened TO a she devil" said nv