Year: 1878

opinion, defiance Of my unworthy suspi-
cions. Now | can see that Myra was
but filling her proper place in society as
hostess or guest but then blinded by
my jealousy, l grudged any other man
a pleasant word or a cherry word. l
cannot tell you now of every scene that
turned her love for me to fear and dis
like. She become pale and miserable,
often sullen and defiant Finally she
left me.


"Left your


81 came home one afternoon, after
conducting an intricate criminal case,
and found note on my table, telling
me Myra could no longer endure the life
of constant quarreling and reproach.
She had taken her child and would
never return to me"


"Did she not go to relatiyesP


"She had but few. Her father died
while we were abroad, and having been
considered rich man, was found to
have left less than funeral expenses.
She had an aunt and some cousins, to
all of whom | went, but who denied
all knowledge of her. After searching
with the eagerness Of penitence deep
and sincere, and love most profound, i
finally advertised, and even employed
private police investigation. 1t was all
in vain. | never found wife or child.
0Yet Won think they lyef q


~ cannot tell. / remained here for
FIVE years, and then, as YOU know, went
to St Louis to see my only sister, dying
in consumption"


"And to become my second father"


"Yes my boy. found you, my lit
tie namesake, sobbing boy Of twelve,
heart broken over your mothers illness
and death. You know the rest of my
life history. / retired from the pursuit
of my profession, travelled with you,
made YOU my one interest in life !!
You filled my empty house and heart,
for l loved you, Hilton, as dearly as l
loved my beby daughter, whose child
hood is closed sealed book to me-"


"But now, Uncle George, can nothing
be done P


"We have been in New York three
years, and every month there has been
an advertisement only Myra would un-
derstand in the leading papers. / have
never had one line of answer. No, my
boy, it is hopeless now If in the future
you ever know of my wife or child, |
trust her to your care and generosity"


1t seemed as if, in the excitement of
the recital, Mr.. Hilton had forgotten the
conversation that had Immediately sug-
gested it. He rose from his seat, and
opening q cabinet in the room, brought
back a small box. 1t contained brace
let of hair with an expensive clasp and
locket.


"When we were in Paris" he said, 81
had this bracelet made of Myra's hair
and mine woven together. She has the
companion one. This tiny coil of gold
in the clasp was cut from tile baby's
head, our little darling, then but three
months old 1t must have been some
lingering love that made Myra still keep
the bracelet like this which she wore
constantly. What is the matter, Hill
toni You look as pale as death"


Nothing. Is your wife's picture in
the locketP


eyes. You see how beautiful she
was"


III see more than that p said Hilton;
"and yet 1 dare not tell you what |
hope. Will you give me one little hour
to see if"


'If whatF'


"Only one hour-I will be back them"


"Stop p Mr.. Hilton cried, shaking
with excitement. But his nephew was
gone Hoping, fearing, not knowing
what to hope or fear, Mr.. Hilton
watched the clock till the hour should
be over. He walked up and down, he
tried to read, he lived over again that
past, whose remorseful memories had
been so vividly recalled. With Myra's
picture before him, he thought again Of
that wild, fierce love that had been his
happiness and his curse.


"Why was l not calm, reasonable as
became my years and position q he asked
himself, bitterly; "why did give boys
love to woman who had lived in so
ciety and respected all its requiIementsl
i lived an ideal life-Myra the actual
one around US Where is Hilton
What can he know What has he dis
covered Only thirty minutes gone,