|
Abner Hite and Jane Temple Daniel Thornton and Jane Temple
| (widow of Abner Hite)
+---------------+--------------+ +-----------+----------------+
| | | | | |
Silas Andrew Mary Sarah
(d. in (inherits (m. John (m. Jackson Pepper)
childhood) estate) Hollis) |
| | |
+---------------+----------------------+ +----+----------------+
| | | | | |
Frances 6 other children Mary Belle Sarah Jane
(m. Richard (d. in (m. 1. John Logan (m. 1. John Logan
Dudley) infancy) 2. Marshall Page) 2. Hiram Gilcrest)
| |
+------+---------+ +--------+---+
| | | | | |
Abner Dudley Logan | Betsey
| John Calvin
| Martin
| Silas
| Philip
| Matthew]

Until he read that letter, Abner had, half unconsciously, clung to the
hope that even though his father had been a dastardly villain who had
wrecked the happiness of two trusting women, it might still be possible
to establish his own legitimacy. Now, even that shadowy hope must be
abandoned. "What!" he thought despairingly, "prove my right to wear my
father's name at the cost of the fair repute of Betty's mother! Never,
never! Rather will I accept the bar sinister for my own escutcheon."

He could bear no more. Thrusting the papers roughly aside, he rushed
down the stairs and out into the darkness. Here, throwing himself face
downward upon the ground, his hands dug into the sod, he cursed the day
upon which he was born. But at last the soft serenity of the starry
June night soothed him into a better mood. He arose, and, with a prayer
for strength and guidance, re-entered the house.

"My fir