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Newspaper Page Text
5R5SS555S8SSPSH Paul placed the little child la charge of a distant spinster relative. He planned to go west and seek in new work forgetfulness of his past gloomy experiences. Then the whole current of his career was changed by a somewhat remarkable occurrence. A young merchant in the town came to him one day. He was only a .casual acquaintance, but he had been always pleasant and friendly with Paul. "See Here, Rivers," be said, in a free, open manner, "I've got a propo sition to-make to you. It's along the line of business." "I had about made, up my mind to try a new- field," responded Paul. 'Tes, I heard of that-4hinking of going out' west, wsrent you:? Well, I'm going to try and head yon off. Here'a thepropo3itloji: rye beeh do ing some- business in thq -mercantile line Jiere in a.small wajj. A party has jcome f qrward who offers to fur nish' large tspital to; expand the busi ness. I've known tor a long" time of your former experience and ability,. Now then, why doa't you capitalize it? You have been grubbing along on thaikHttle place-jof.yeurs', earning a mergOliving. I waigjiypu to join me." . v- "As an eaptoyjjjKk,', "No, asaSpartaer,V' && - Paul was astonished. As his- vis itor went on in detail as to his-prospects and plans there came to the lonely widower something of his old time ambition. The proposition was plain and practicable, Jt JftfQlyed. large quarters, xteasive adypi8ng; efficient management Many a time, during a period of -remarkable business success, Paul Riv ers thought with jtegret-of that poverty-harassed period of his life when; he had craved comforts for the dying woman byhis side he could not af ford to purchase. Money flowejd in to the new Urm. At the- end of ihe fourth year Paul was practically in-r dependent. The business so expanded ifcat lie. m. was obliged to go abroad once & year to buy goods. It ,was on his return " from such a trip that Ids partner, after the usual warm, friendly greet- ings, said somewhat seriously:. of ' "I have some bad news for you;,, Rivers. Your relative who Jiad chargajwj of your little daughter died durfngsl your absence." ' . "And Adeline?" inuired Paut&nxr.2n iously, ( !.. 9 "I hardly knew what to dab6utT her," explained his partner. "ifosrh ever there appeared upon the swiie a Mrs. Iryttieton, who reside, at Taunton. She offered to take cT&rge. of the child until your return.. l) foundthat she was an stimabltedyl of wealth and social standiagjand have received letters from Mrsrlt--tleton weekly, reporting her little charge contented and happy,' I Taunton! A slight sense Qfrsadr? ness momentarily clouded tbeliilndt Ut iHUi. XJ-1C UOIUC VJL uiaL LUHJJl wnere ne oau arst met jiaoise eg naturally awakened poignant ries. The next dav he went 1 ' - - - '- r-fr- ivwj his little daughter. As he nearedifce ' residence of Mrs, Lyttleton he hs covered it to be one of the finB&f isb the place. ? ,, In the garden under a leafy sHmer; were three persons "two ladiepPkndr little Adeline. The lattei was girt ed; in the lap of one of the. ladies? rhef head reclining trustingly upoftAer1 shoulder as a fairy tale wasTJejing told to her. . ,"? : 'Hloise Miss Esmond!" brtfitfisd, Paul with a thrill. "What can InS'bet dome here?" and then, his entrance through the gateway was disco'vred. Dy tftue AO?une, wno Douna ously forward to meet him. "Oh, papa! I have' bees so here," she prattled, "so very with, dear, dear Annty Eloise, with us all of the time." Stately, reserved, but her dee eyes magnetic and beautiful yore, Miss Esmond greeted hefeJcF time friend graciously. Hers "V t superp palm as she told franklJhat.j KF- Bflfu' rmat