Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1914-11-19
~ LIZZIE SAWYER.


Rupert King lay dying He loved
life. and he was very rich man; but
that could not save him.
looking woman, knelt beside him, his
hand In hers. her face drenched In
eeare; for, cold as she seemed 10
moot. she loved her husband dearly.
On the opposite side Of the bed leaned
Paul Dering. the dying mans s'epson-
Eighteen years before. Mr.. King had
married Paufs mother. a widow with
this one child, then FIVE years old He
loved the boy as his own son. He had
brought him up as his heir. and had
long ago made a will leaving him all
he possessed. with the exception Of a
handsome allowance 20 his wife.
There ia something ought to have
toM you. Hester" the dying man said
20 his wife. Don't think hardly Of
me when you know IL, after | an
dead. I don't know but I ought to
have altered my will, but this sick.
ness came so suddenly, there has not
been time"
His mind wanders." muttered Mrs.
King.
NO, mol" the dying man gasped. In
great distress. Look IN the little
drawer in my private desk when am
dead"
That was all he said.
The widow found the following let
ter IN the desk. She read II the day
after the funeral.
10 ran thus:
NY Dearest Wife; have never told
yOu that before I ever knew you ! was
married 20 another woman She deceived
ana betrayed me. or I Was led to believe
%. and left her. She died not long after.
leaving q child-a little girl--whom l never
looked after. because of the bitterness !
sttll felt toward the mother and because
dt0 not believe she was my child. But
recently ] have heard something which
makes me think that possibly that un.
happy woman was innocent. after all. Il
10 the merest doubt. but ! came rest
easy TIL ] have solved It. I have 40. fell
well for a few days. or | should have sat
isfied myself: and ! did not want TO tel
you till ! had done that But toni-h
there 10 q weight upon me. caanlt sl-r,.
until j have y. rcn ta.s |
In case I shoUid - t.-s d. Esas &
be III
''If my first wife was an innocent WON
an. then I have bitterly and cruelty
wronged my own child. and I leave to
you the taak OF finding and righting her.
eesire you. my dear wife IN the name
% our mutual love. 90 endeavor. by means
% che memoranda which accompany this.
60 ascertain the truth II she was an in
nocsnt woman. this child have so long
eisownsd ought to have my property In.
stead Of your son.
70 you fnd that wrcnged my FIRST wife
waat you 70 seek out my child. and Paul
must either marry her or give her the
money ] have left In my viii 10 him.
shoul0 IKE them 20 marry. shall not
alter my VIII; Il would be making every
thing too public. trust all 20 Paufs
honor.
The letter fell from Hester Kings
hand. An angry HIGH. cleaned in her
black eyes.
"Paaps honor shall not be tried.
abe said, bitterly. He shall never
know. II shall be my secret"
She secretly set on foot inquiries
which resulted In satisfying her. re.
lucsant ne abe was, that her husband
had cruelty wronged an innocent
Almost at the same time that this
conviction was forced upon her, heI
son. 20 her horror and dismay. an
nounced that he was thinking Of mar
Fying.
Paul had poured the whole wealth
Of his affection upon a girl who was
only q poor music teacher. He had
met her ct the house of a friend, to
whose little girls she was giving les
Mrs. King knew human nature toe
well openly 20 oppose her son. She
therefore. made no objection. but
asked him 10 weigh the matter well
and not be In too great haste.
Then having obtained the girls ad
dress. she went, without her sons
knowledge. TO see her.
In spite OF her prejudice, she was
Impressed by Edith Bonds refned and
cultured appearance, as well as by
her beauty. sweetness and dignity.
She adopted very different line of
conduct on seeing her from that which
she had at first proposed. She ap-
Dealed 20 her generosity.
She told her frankly that her sos
loved her; and Il was evident. by the
hoe blush. the dropping OF the sweet
eyes. that he did not love In vain
Then sine told her that IL Paul mar
ried hsr,-it would be at the sacrifice
Of his whole fortune. though he did
not know 10.
Finally. she asked her to 20 away
where he could rot find her.
Edith Bond was violently agitated.
MIRA. King" she said. do you think
10 u fair not to give him a chance n
choose between his fortune and Inc?
He would choose YOU" Mrs. King
answered, despairingiy.
Then" spoke Edith. If your son
loves me 30 much an that. are you mo-,
afraid You viii destroy his happL
nessT'.saa~
He will suffer In being separated
from you. Of course" Mrs. King an.
swered. coldly; but he viii get over
t. He win live to thank me for in.
terfer1ng TO prevent his -throwinr
away fortune. and making hinsslf
Q pauper.-
The sweet face flushed proudly: the
blue eyee dropped again.
There was q few moments silence
and then Edith Bond said. gently. Il
think you require too much of him
Mira. King: but you are his mother
viii promise. you this: will GO
away where Jour son cannot see me,