“Open it, Persis. Hurry! let us see what is inside.” And Persis broke the heavy seal. “Why, what are these things?” she exclaimed. “And there is a letter and a ring.” Opening the letter she read:
“To Miss Persis Holmes:
“My dear Child,—The pleasure which I have lately received from your visit has renewed an old desire to emphasize in some substantial way my obligation to and affection for your grandmother. Many years ago I was the suitor for the hand of my cousin, Persis Carter, who always has been and always must be the loveliest woman in the world to me. But, alas! I was not worthy, and your beloved grandmother, my cousin, Persis Carter, would not consent to link her fate with one who chose to degrade his manhood by the use of the intoxicating glass. She married a good and noble man, and was a happy wife and mother. It was only when I lost her that I realized what a foe to me was the wine-cup. But her dear helping hand was stretched out to save me, for when, in a moment of frenzy, I struck down a neighbor, believing I had killed him—which, thank God! I had not—I fled to her and she saved me, not only from myself, but from the consequence of the act which threatened to brand me as a criminal. I have never seen her since then, but her image has never faded and her nobleness and generosity has been ever a holy memory. I feel that my days are numbered, and for the sake of Persis Carter I wish to bestow upon her namesake this token of my undying gratitude and affection. Your little friend has told me of your hopes and ambitions. May this gift help you to become as wise and good a woman as my beloved cousin, Persis Carter. The little ring was my mother’s. I had intended it for the Persis whom I hoped would be my wife.”
“Faithfully yours,”
“Ambrose Peyton.”
“Oh, Annis!” Persis exclaimed, her eyes full of tears; “isn’t it sad, sad? The dear old man! How he has suffered; and what a story lies between the lines! Dear, dear grandma, who could believe to look at her that such a tragedy as that had been so near her!”
While Persis was reading the letter Annis was attentively looking over the other papers which lay in her lap. “Why, Persis,” she said, “these are bonds,—government bonds!”
“What?”
“Yes. Why, Persis! why, Persis! there are one, two, ten thousand dollars’ worth of government bonds! Oh! oh!”
“No! I don’t believe it!”
“Yes, they are, truly. Look!”