Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-24

various commands thereafter, to the best
of my ability, to the end - Ny father
has now returned to Rhode Island and
has, / learn. been making inquiries touch
ing my whereabouts and condition, so
that l have every hope that we may be-
come reconciled. Yet as my services to
the country We're against his wishes and
caused so much harshness and heartache,
and being now come into a part OF the
country where 1 am unknown. l am de-
cided to resume my rightful name, that
my wife and children may bear it and in
the hope that 1 may myself yet add to 1T
some honor.
Nor shall my wife or any children that
may be born to me. know from me
(badly blurred). Yet not caring to de-
stroy my sword. which l bore with some
credit, nor these testimonials of respect
and confidence / received as Adoniram
Caldwell at various times and from vari-
Gus personages of renOwn, both civilians
and in the military service, place them
under my house now building, where
hope in Gods care to end my days In
peace. l would in like case make like
choice again.
Ten lines following this were wholly a.
legible, but just before the date June II,
17S9), and the signature, which was writ
ten large, was this:
God preserve these American states
forever!'
We had all been moved by the reading
of this long-loSt letter. and Miss Octavia' s
turned TO Cecilia once or twice during the
recital of the dead patriots message, l
saw tears trimming her eyes.
"Mr. Virgins once told me that his
great-srandfather had lived somewhere
i'm Westchester county, but | fancy he
had no idea that Hopefield was the iden-
teal spot" remarked Miss Octavia. 1t
seems incredible, and yet | dare say the
hand of fate is in it,
"Oh, it's SO wonderful: SO beyond be-
lief" cried Cecilia, reverently folding the
letter, which, I observed, she retained in
her own hands.
Its wonderful added Miss Octavia,
promptly. taking the sword, which Pep
perton had with difficulty drawn from its
battered scahbard. that even a discern
ing woman like me could have been SO
mistaken. l recall with humility that
last Fourth of July. at Berlin. l repri-
manded Mr. Virgins severely because his
family had not been represented i'm the
war FOR American independence. BY the
irony of circumstances it becomes my
duty to present to him the very sword
that his admirable at-grandfa ther
bore in that momentous struggle. ! shall.
with his permission. place bronze tablet
on the outer wall of this house to pre-
serve tho patriots memory
Several copies of New York newspapers.
half dozen French gold coins. the min
iature Of wOman's face which as
sumed to be that of Roger Virgins
mother or sister, were briefly examined
then. by Miss Octavia's orders, We care
fully returned everything to the chest.
Several packets of letters we did not open.
Arnold, she said. when we had closed
the chest, will you and Mr.. Pepperton
kindly carry that box 10 my room? No
servants hand shall touch it; and | shall
myself give it to Mr.. Virgins at the
earliest opportunity
We had lost track of time in those
hidden rooms. preserved by the whim OF
ore man that the secret of another might
be discovered, and found with surprise.
after the chest had been carried to Miss
Octavia's apartments. that ii was after
clock. We had been i'll the hidden
rooms for more than three hours.
we shall have much to talk about to-
night. and | fancy we are all a good
deal shaken. It's not often we receive a
letter from dead man. so We shall ad-
NIT no callers tonight. unless. indeed,
Mr.. Virgins should chance to come an
nounced Miss Octavia. The next time
Hartley Virgins visits this house he shall
come as conquering hero
Il hope So. replied Cecilia, brokenly.
We were still at dinner when the cards
of Dick and the other suffers I had last
seen at the Prescott Arms were brought
in: hut Virgins made no sign. and 1
wondered.
tTo be continued tomorrow