Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1915-11-26

A cold sn1ver came over tie young
man. He was about to cry out de-
NAL when the attorney went on:
Pardon me, but have an unpleas-
ant duty to perform in giving you this
part Of the information have for you,
though the only really distressing thing
about it is that you are not the person
you suppose yourself to be. About
twenty-five years ago your supposed
mother, Mrs. Bradley, was in danger
Of losing her husbands love. They
had been married ten years, and no
children had come to them. This was
great disappointment to Mr.. Bradley.
There was crisis in their affairs and
the husband was, about to leave his
wife when she Informed him that she
was about to become mother.
From this moment the relationship
between them that had existed during
the first years of their married life was
restored. In due time a child was pre-
scented to Mr.. Bradley, but it was not
his son. Mrs. Bradley. in order to hold
him, had procured the child of other
parents and led him to suppose that it
was their offspring"
The listener groaned and covered his
face with his hands. After a pause
the attorney continued:
THAT part of your life before you
were given to the Bradleys is an old
story, and for the present at least l
need only give you an outline. The
daughter Of ambitious parents con-
tracted a secret marriage with poor
only fruit, of that marriage. Your ia
Their died before you were born; your
mother in giving birth to you. Her
marriage never having been divulged
to your grandparents, she determined
to send you to friend, your supposed
mother, and it was this offer that led
Mrs. Bradley to present you as her
own child. Before your mothers death
she sent for me and told me of your
whereabouts, asking me to look out for
you and if you ever needed help to
help you, leaving it discretionary with
birth.
'Not long after your parents death
your grandfather made a lucky bust
ness stroke that gave him capital to
work with and from that moment be-
gan to accumulate fortune. His only
child, your mother. being dead, he
called on me to draw up will leaving
his property to charity. l then told
him the story of his daughters mar
rage and of your existence.
Gle was DESTROYS of claiming you
from your foster parents, but, on my
representation that such action would
bring sorrow on q devoted couple, de-
sisted. He made the will in your IA
vor, instructing me. On your coming of
age, to inform you of your true origin
and that you were the possessor Of a
fortune. The will makes it optional
with you to assume your own name
and inherit the estate or to remain as
you are, in which case it goes to chart
ty. He died only year ago. l have
given you but an outline of the story.
whether you will become Arthur Ste
vens, with half million, or remain
Martin Bradley. without it."
1t was some time before the, young
man spoke. He said:
what l am to decide between is,
giving great pain to the dearest wom-
an and the best man in the world and
a splendid fortune. My decision is
made. relinquish the fortune"
Had you not better think the mat
ter over? You forget that, with this
money, you might give them many
comforts, much happiness"
''They don't need the comforts, and
instead of happiness 1 should inflict a
frightful blow"
''Then l am to regard your decision
as final?"
''You are"
The lawyer took the young mans
hand in his and said:
II wish had son like you"
Il. +
Ten years later a widow lay dying
Her son, a man past thirty, knelt at
her bedside.
II have wronged you, my boy" she
said. 81 have deprived you of a for
tune. 1t has been my selfishness. Had
you known what have DONE
Mother, have known your secret
ever since the day 1 came of age. l
gave up fortune Of my own free will
! that no break might come in our hap
py home no trouble to you"