Page:Stories of Bengalee life - Prabhat Kumar Mukerji.pdf/210

198 of caste by taking her to wife, we have each time warned the party of the intending groom. I now warn you."

On hearing that the child had been picked up at the great Varuni Festival at Triveni, a suspicion arose in my mind and I resolved to see the girl. I said to Chatterji Mahashoi that as my father was about to marry his daughter, it was fit and proper that I should see her first. Chatterji had the girl suitably dressed and brought to me for my inspection. At first sight of her I was amazed to find that she was the exact image of my lost wife. I then said to Chatterji Mahashoi—"This girl is not your daughter. I know all about it." The truth of this Chatterji was constrained to admit. What I then wormed out of him through much cross questioning, confirmed my suspicions—the girl is my sister-in-law. Reckoning up the time, I found it is just thirteen years ago that my mother-in-law returned from Triveni having lost her child, then only two years old. During a whole week the parents vainly made searches for her in all directions. As the child was adorned with many golden ornaments, it was believed that she had been murdered by some one for the jewels. All this history is certainly known to you. To arrive at certainty in the matter, I telegraphed to my father-in-law. This morning he arrived here