The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-03-23
ALetter That Came
a Day Too Late
BY MAY c. ETHERIDGE

with no children, at least no cnlluren
at home. But no one seemed to know
much about him, and, being reticent
man, he kept his past history to him
self.
Marmaduke had lived alone In big
house which he had occupied when his
wife was living. When he died neph-
ew who had an eye to his estate went
TO his house and looked for will. He
found none This gave the inheritance
10 the heirs-at-law. The nephew, John
Williams. hunted up these persons and
found a large number Of them. But
they were all descendants Of the de-
ceased's brothers and sisters, none of
whom could claim descent from him
direct.
williams called a meeting Of Marina
dukes relatives and told them that I'M
less they took concerted action in the
matter the estate was liable to be
wasted in chancery A great many
claims might be made by persons who
| would try to prove falsely that they
were related to the deceased. Some OF
these claims might be allowed, and
money might be wasted by the court in
disproving others. OF course the mat
ter Of the distribution was in the
courts. but the heirs would facilitate
matters and save wastaee by actlng
together so as to secure proper dis
tribution OF the property.
Among those who attended the meet
ing was a young girl Of sixteen. She
took back seat and listened TO what
was said without remark, being the
only one present who said nothing
She was very poorly dressed and had
hungry look. When those present
were requested to step forward and
nut their names on paper giving their
relationship to the deceased, this giri
hung back. williams. seeing her, ask
ed her If she had any claim on the
| Marmaduke estate. In reply she said
that she had recently arrived in the
CITY from Canada. where she had been
discharged from founding asylum.
| At leaving she had been given the
baby clothes she had on when left at
| the ASYLUM and a letter addressed 10
Edwin Marmaduke She had been CIV
en- money by director OF the institn-
ton TO 20 and deliver the letter On
arriving she had inquired where Ed
win Marmaduke lived and on reach
ing the house had found Grape on the
door Persons 10 whom she had told
her story informed her Of the meeting
OF the heirs-at-law to Mr.. Marmaduke's
estate and suggested that she might
find out something concerning her mis-
sion from some Of them.
Williams asked the girl why she did
not open the letter. and she replied
that II was stated on the envelope that
II was to be opened by Edwin Marina
duke and by no other person.
A young man who signed his name
Steven Marmaduke and claimed to be
n granddaughter Of the deceased motto
ed the girl and pitied her She had
signed no name on the list OF relatives,
! for she had not come "a a claimant
but for information. When the meeting
adjourned young Marmaduke joined
the girl and asked her IL he could do
ANYTHING FOR her. She thanked him
/ and said that since the person she had
come 10 see was dead she would re-
/ turn 10 the place from which she had
come. He asked her name, and she
/ said she Ind no name. At the found
lings' home she had been called Ruth
| but this had been given her there to
distinguish her from the other orphans.
Steven Marmaduke was much i'm
pressed by the story Of the girl who had
been born into the world under such
unfortunate circumstances. He went
with her to the house where she was
staying. asking her 20 tell him more
about herself. What could she tell ?
The letter she bore 60 one who was
dead and her baby clothes were all
the evidence there was as 10 her iden.
I tity. when she had been left az the
foundlings' home, whoever had re
ceived her had wrapped the letter In
the clothes. and there II had remained
ever since. on the envelope was writ.
ten ITO be delivered when the child IL
/ SD enough 70 act for herself"
Steven Marmaduke advised the girl
10 open the letter. and she did 80 IN
his presence. II read:
Father-For the love you bore me when
I vas q child ike my child who mas
some aav hand you thiE help her, FOR shs
= ~ YOUR own blood. Henry IL aead. and
ny DAYS are numbered Your daughtsr,
KATE.
when Marmaduke read this letter he
turned 70 the girl with wonder IN his
eyes and said:
Rejoice. little one. for you are
heircss r. q princely estate. Guard
well this letter and any other evidence
you NAV have a. 20 your identity.
An Investigation proved that the riri
was Alice Marmaduke Spencer. Her
mother had married IN opposition n
her fathers express command. and he
had never forgiven her. Poverty and
sirkpess haa come e. her aud Der hus-
hand. nnd Jusf before her death she
hsf cent her child 70 the foundlings
home
LEARNING ~ his daughters death 70
yin Nrn~maHnke haf puaeav0red -
fpd fe- ahua. hut hHd failed he had
trrar made VII harinE fhst tir
granddaughter might b. found she
heH come foa lntp 81 give ths % man
a. u-rr~furstv - benefit hef ghns ~
- A. aa.aaaa - 49, -