Two hours later the three partners separated, Waters and Bentley taking trains for their destination, while George Howard went directly to the residence of Mrs. Nash. The good woman at first did not recognize him, as he stood before her in the little parlor of her home, but after closely scanning his face her delight was unbounded. She had heard of his prosperity, but when informed of his selling his interest in the mine for one million dollars, she could scarcely realize the truth of the assertion. "One million dollars!" she exclaimed. "The day of miracles has returned to us." That day Alden told the motherly woman his story. He told her of his childhood; his struggle to obtain an education; his career as salesman in a store; and his appointment as teller in the bank. He told of the happy weeks at Lake George, where he met the love of his heart, and then related the opposition of her father. As he proceeded, Mrs. Nash became much interested. He spoke of his adventure in the burning factory, describing his injuries and sufferings. He told of his long illness, and the secret marriage, and when he described the happy days following, he could scarcely control his emotion. He told of the parting between his wife and himself; the false accusations against his honor, his weak condition causing him to flee from home and friends, and then he related the particulars of his flight and the cruel letter. Suddenly Mrs. Nash arose excitedly, and asked: "What is your rightful name?" "Alden--George Alden." "George Alden? And was Cleverdale the place you fled from?" "Yes; but you are agitated; what--what is it?" "There has been a great mistake somewhere. You are mourned as dead." "My God! Mrs. Nash, what do you mean?" exclaimed George. "_I_ mourned as dead?" "Yes, wait here a moment. I have a paper containing full particulars. Your poor wife could never have written that letter. But I will get the paper." A moment later she returned. Greatly excited, Alden seized the newspaper, which bore date of a year and a half previous. His eyes fell upon a marked article, which read as follows: "A SAD TRAGEDY. [From the Cleverdale, N. Y., _Investigator_.]