Graham guardian., 1913-10-10

l. Roger Hartley Virgins. some time
known as Adoniram Caldwell, having now
| resumed my proper name and being about
| TO marry and having begun tho construc-
tion Of a habitation for myself wherein
to end my days, truthfully sci forth these
1 matters:
My father. Hiram Virgins OF Rhode Is
| land. having supported the royalist cause
in our late war for Independence and an
| gcred by my friendliness to the patriots.
and he. with 49, brothers ard sister hav-
| Ing returned to England after the evae-
1 uatlon OF Boston. Joined the Continental
/ troops under General Putnam on Long
\ Island In July. l77s. serving in various
commands thereafter TO the best OF my
| ability to the end . My father has
| now returned to Rhode Island and has,
| learn, been making inquiries touching my
| wherea bouts and condition. so that l have
| every hope that We may become recon-
cllcd Yet as my services TO the country
| were agninst his wishes and caused go
much harshness and heartnche and being
now come into part OF the country
where ] am unknown. l am decided to re-
sumo my rightfuI name. that my wife and
children may bear II and In the hope that
may myself yet add to IL some hon
or. sss
Nor shall my wife or ony children that
may be born to me know from me . . =
(badly blurred) Yet not caring TO de-
stroy my sword, which | bore with some
credit, nor these testimonials OF respect
and confidence | received as Adonram
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 Ia Gods care 10 end my days In
peace I would in like case make like
choice again.
Ten lines following this were wholly
illegible. but Just before the date June
II. 1882 and the signature. which was
written large, was this:
God preserve these American states that
they endure In unity and concord forever.
We had all been moved by the read
ing OF this long lost letter, and Miss
0ctavias voice had faltercd several
times.
Mr.. Virgins once told me that his
great-grandfather had lived somewhere
In Westchester county. but fancy he
had no idea that Hopefield was tha
identical spot" remarked Miss Octa.
via. 1T seems Incredible. and yet |
dare say the hand OF fate Is In IT,"
"Oh, It's 80 wonderful; so beyond he
lieff' cried Cecilia, reverently folding
the letter. which, observed. she re,
tanned In her own hands.
tits wonderful" added Miss Octa.
via promptly. taking the sword. which
Pepperton had with difficulty drawn
from Its battered scabbard. "that even
discerning woman like me could have
been so mistaken. recall with humil
fly that last Fourth Of July. at Berlin,
] reprimanded Mr.. Virgins severely
because his family had not been repre-
sented In the war for American indie
pendence BY the irony OF circum
stances II becomes my duty to present
TO him the very sword that his admi
rable great-grandfather bore In that
momentous struggle"
Several copies Of New York newspa
pers. hnlf dozen French gold coins.
the miniature of womans face,
which we assumed to he that of Roger
Virgins mother or sister. were briefly
examined: then by Miss Octavia's or ,
ders we carefully returned everything
to the chest Several packets OF let
ters we did not open.
Arnold" she said when we had
closed the chest. will you and Mr.
Pepperton kindly carry that box to my
room? No servants hand shall touch
It, aud shall myself give II to Mr.
Virgins at the earliest opportunity"
We had lost track Of time in those
hidden rooms, preserved by the whim
Of one man that the secret OF another
might be discovered, and found with
surprise. after the chest had been car
ried to Miss Octaria's apartments, that
II was after O'Clock We had been In
the hidden rooms for more than three
hours.
'We shall have much to talk abou.
tonight. and fancy we are all goui
deal shaken. It's not often we receive
a letter from dead man, so we shall
admit no callers tonight unless. Ia.
deed, Mr.. Virgins should chance ~
come" announced Miss Octavia. rThe
next time Hartley Virgins visits this
house he shall come as conquering
hero"
81 hope So" replied Cecilia brokenly.
We we're still at dinner when tle
cards of Dick and the other suitors l
had last seen at the Prescott Arms
were brought In: but Virgins made no
sign. and wondered.
The man who looked after my needs
handed NE note the next morning
which added fresh hazards to Cecilias
already perilous plight.
LEFT with the gardener before U
O'Clock by n boy from the village.
Said 1t was most confidential. SIR"
waited till he had left the room BE-.
fore opening Il. II read:
Gooseberry Bungalow,
Before Breakfast.
Dear Chtmneys--Pep stopped here yes
terday TO see Il. II. He and C. old pals
Watch him. Where's wig.7 II. VI.
The information she conveyed was
startling enough. We had been deal.
ing with company OF suitors outside
the bnrricade. now came warning of
the presence Of strange knight with
in the gates who greatly multiplied
the perils OF the situation. The com,
n IA