Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1912-12-19

@ by Scott Studio. m
carefully guarded and he needn't worry
about me ut all. Then she hung up the
receiver and led ne back into the room
with the lire on the hearth
| Now. the name COrnelia at once ar.
rested my attention. A year before
when | had entered the third grade at
school my father had brought down a
desk from the garret for my use. was
to keep my books and papers in 1t. and
1t was to be my study desk in the even
ing In clearing 1t ont I had looked
oyer several old papers that were in it.
and in one had seen this name Cor.
nelia. More than this the contents Of
| the Ini~r mad impressed me. could
not remember the name signed to H.
bnr II WaS n WOinan's name She Wac
evidently very III and very penffent
about some sin she had committed.
Now that my father knew l was
safe | sat down on Il 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." l said.
"What do you know about Cornelia p
she asked quickly. "Have you heard
your father speak Of me?"
mo. papa never mentioned the name;
l saw 1t ON n IMner-a letter, think"
what paper? What letter."
Zone I found in a desk papa had
the butler bring down from the garnet
for me to use for 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 let-
ter"
"Who wrote it,"
II can't remember the NAME"
The lady asked the last few ques-
tons ferverishly. She eagerly asked
another. Would know the name II
heard it? replied that thought
would. Then she asked If it was
Amy.
YES" replied: that's 1t. Amy"
The lady gave me a fierce hug. then
asked tremblingly what l had done
with the letter. told her that 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. ~
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 | took out of my desk. You
will find one among them signed Amy.
with sulnething in it about CorneIia.
| will hold the wire till hear from
you
heard click and knew that my
father had gone to do as ! had indi-
Gated. Cornelia awaited another call
with feverish anxiety. Ten minutes
had not elapsed when there was ring.
Then | heard my fathers voice saying:
s explained see no reason why your
location should remain secret. Tell
the lady that If you give it to me
will come to join you immediately"
sreceived permission to give the
street and number. and within twenty
minutes there was sharp ring at the
dOorbell. My father entered. He and
the lady stood regarding each other
for few moments; then he knelt be-
fore her and said:
Forgive me-"
He rose. and they were clasped 10
each others arms.
But |. having no mind to be left out
of these transports. running up to
them. said:
Wont 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.
ITO 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 malicious woman who
wrote confession which she had not
either the courage or sufficient time
before her death to give to me. treat
ed mamma very cruelty"
Are you the lady," I asked of nv
mother. whom l remember taking me
up from my crib one night when you
were crying and kissing me?"
''That was a goodby. though you
were too young to know it. | left you
suddenly on Christmas eve"
And have faint remembrance Of
stockings hanging from the mantel"
Everything was ready for your
first Christmas that is, the first you
could appreciate when-w when
Il listened to she devil" said my