The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1914-12-29

nocent woman, this child I nave so long
disowned ought to have my property in
stead Of your son.
II you find that I wronged my first wife,
l want you to seek out my child, and Paul
must either marry her or give her the
money ! have left in my will to him. I
should like them to marry. I shall not
alter my will; 1t would be making every
thing too public. I trust all to Pauls
honor.
The letter fell from Hester Kings
hand. An angry light cleaned in her
black eyes.
"Paul's honor shall not be tried"
she said, bitterly. He shall never
know. 1t shall be my secret"
She secretly set on foot inquiries.
which resulted in satisfying her, re-
luctant as she was. that her husband
had cruelty wronged an innocent
woman.
Almost at the same time that this
conviction was forced upon her. her
son, to her horror and dismay, an
nounced hat he was thinking Of mar
rying.
Paul had poured the whole wealth
of his affection upon a girl who was
only a poor music teacher. He had
met her at the house of a friend. to
whose little girls she was giving les
sons.
Mrs. King knew human nature too
well openly to oppose her son. She,
therefore. made nc objection, but
asked him to 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 refined and
cultured appearance, as well as by
her beauty, sweetness and dignity.
She adopted a very different line OF
conduct on seeing her from that which
she had at first proposed. She an
pealed to her generosity.
She told her frankly that her son
loved her; and 1t was evident. by the
hot blush, the dropping of the sweet
eyes, that he did not love In vain.
Then she told her that II Paul mar.
ried her, 1t would be at the sacrifice
Of his whole fortune. though he did
not know it.
Finally. she asked her to go awav
where he could not find her.
Edith Bond was violently agitated
Mrs King" she said, do you think
it is fair not to give him a chance to
choose between his fortune and mel"
He would choose you" Mrs. King
answered, despairingly.
Then" spoke Edith, IF your son
loves me so much as that, are you not
afraid you will destroy his happt-
ness?"
He will suffer in being separated
from you. OF course" Mrs. King an
swered, coldly; but he will get over
1t. He will live to thank me for in
terfering to prevent his throwing
away a fortune, and making himself
a pauper."
The sweet face flushed proudly; the
blue eyes dropped again.
There was a few moments silence.
and then Edith Bond said. gently, Il
think you require too much of him,
Mrs. King; but o are his mother.
will, promise you this: l will go
away where your son cannot see me,
for a year, If you promise me that if
at the end of that time. he still loves
me, you will tell him everything, and
leave him free to seek me, If he
chooses to do So"
Mrs. King consented to this very
reluctantly. but she went home much
relieved. She thought, "In a year he
Is sure to forget her"
Never was a mother more mistaken.
Edith Bond kept her word. She
went away before Paul Dering could
see her again, and left no clue to
where she had vanished.
Paul Behring'S amazement and grief
at her inexplicable disappearance were
SO deep and violent hat his mother
was almost frightened at what she
had done.
Meanwhile she was causing secret
but diligent search to be made for
Lucy King. the cruelty wronged child
of her dead husband. But she could
learn nothing Of her. She had been
taken In charge by an aunt at her
mothers death. and the two had gone
away together. no knew whittier.
Mrs. King one day showed her son
his step-father's letter. She pointed
out to him that he should marry Lucy
If she could be found, and hui keep
the wealth from going to a stranger.
But Paul declared he would marry
one but Edith.
That very evening, Edith, so closely
yelled and cloaked that no one would
have known her, entered the room
where Mrs. King sat alone.
Throwing up her veil, she fell at
Mrs. Kings knees. and burst into
tears.
Mrs. King" she cried. y have but