Pittston Gazette

              ' """ PITTSTON, LUZERNE CO.. FR1I) D Y JULY C26, ItC89. A Weekly Local and Family journal. "SrSK" t Oldest f ewsuauer in the Wvoming Valley love; and yet Nora Warner had been ready to stake her very soul upon it. She had borne none of the looks such as an insane person would be supposed to possess, and had, in faet, seemed singularly ealiu, except for tho excitement caused by the telling of tho story. Tho Captain regarded it all as a favorable augury, little suspecting how the clouds were hanging low In his horizon, only waiting for the proper time to advance, with thunder and lightning aud engulf him in their shadowy darkness. Between Koger and the servant, Andrew, a conspiracy had been formed, and the plot was no insignificant one, either. Ity, anil lio was soon in possession of his arms of tho m an she hated "• d despised —Capt. Grange. from a lorenpaa mat was wmte as snow, though furrowed by tho cares of years. "To both of your questions 1 have but one answer—yes! Heaven knows how willingly I would join my lot with yours, to be with you always, in sickness or in heulth; but while Nora Warner lives it is Impossible, Give up all thoughts of such happiness, dear Roger, for "it is beyond reach." snart ttiat mama their graves, 1 take hope again." THE DA i who destroyed mv peace, ana me the lost one I am. Deny It if When, however, ho attemptotk a denial of being Implicated in the affair, Capt. Grant would not listen to him. tfense.s again Somehow, u delicious sense of repose seemed to pervade her whole being, and sho gave way to the multitude of fancies that flooded ber brain, by fainting dead away. Tho room in whioh Roger and Carol were left was scantily furnished, and what articles there were showed signs of age, having, no doubt, once been the property of the mad miller. J.vay a dare It was at this point that the first gleam of light that was soon to overwhelm Carol, came into her mind. She eould only sit there with all her sensee strained, drinking in the sweet voloe of the widow and await the coming shock. "Trouble and sorrow have been my lot. Ah! I never thought I should survive that dreadful night, and many a timo since I have looked back to shudder and feel my heart grow cold with the hoTror that took possession of It. The proof seemed damnable in- his eyes, and he turned a deaf ear to my pleadings —my vows—and cursed me: but for that I have forgiven him, for I was Innocent.Whan I kissed her that nijht i; "i'.vas so dark that nothing A,ul not being sure liut I'd mi Why, 'twas right 1 should k The man laughed sneerlngly I have no choice loft mo, only to proainst tho endearing- adjectives ilv to my poor self. If you ask am I the man who once onoo loved you, and, "You have playod me false, Richmond, deny it if you dare. Hark! even now I can hoar your accomplice riding off, and doubtless carrying your daughter with liiui—a second Locliinvar. Highly romantic, no doubt, but you shall suffer for it, even if it should bo the last act of my life. A bravo foo I can honor, but a traitor I 'despiso, and would risk life to give him the punishment he deserves." Sho "was dimly conscious of a jolting motion, as if on the back of a horse and moving rapidly, but it was a long time before consciousness returned in full. Upon one wall was a picture, in a small frame, with its faeo turned away. Several other pictures there were, but none had been treated in this way. There was dfl.-k I was rearii'i) in vain for t Conllictlng doubts arose in the mind of the h'irl, and she suffered quite as much from the uncertainty of knowing the truth as from the facts themselves. She pitied him the more since she had seen that glad light leap into his eyes, for she felt sure that he waa building up false hojhou t he wliite I v l exii t . he When Carol assumed her bridal robes she looked too sweet and sad for mortal eyes, and even the heart of the fierce old man throbbed with a half-pity, when she directed a look at him, as if in muto entreaty.U so happened 1 kissed Uer sorr out his mistake, deserted you She was still clasped in tho arms of her abductor, and looking up, could eeo his face in the mystic starlight. Anil I wasi J3 to w tlitori But I know that I sigheJ to ba I her she li rather than remain and liring you to I answer, I am lie She was not to be allowed to remain long in this state, however. Curiosity in itself is strong enough in any one, but it was somo greater power than this that urged Carol to walk over to the picture that hung with its face to the wall. It seemed a* though some invisible power had hold of her hand and was leading her on. "Not so tar a--i yon luwtfrae. Xfty darling. Even now it seen# to me the skies are growing brigliUr," he said, drawing forth a letter. farther away that 1 got ire l Then you have pronounced your Your words are plausiblo enough, ona time might have deceived me. w they eomo to late. Think you next time 1 culled It so liaj loom Events were clustering about her own homo that wero destined to have much concern with her future, and she could not long remain in ignorance of theiu. It was the oountenanoe of Roger Darrel!we stood in tliat hallway 01: He had hoped against hope, and now only anger and despair reigned in his heart. There was no chance of rescue left now, it seemed to him, and the sacrifice must go on, thoijph It cut him to the heart to see his darling child wedded to such a desperate villain as he knew the Captain to be. '•Listen to me!" cried the old man, now fully alarmed for his safety, as he saw that the mad soldier-adventurer was in a lit state to do any rash act; "although I would have saved my daughter If it had been possible, yet I swear to you I had not tho remotest suspicion of such a thing occurring; and now I seo through it all plainly. Do you know who has carried away your bride, Capt. Grant? The young master of Darrel Cliace ha3 been here 1" He seemed to be aware of the fact that she had once more come back to life, for presently he stooped down and softly spoke her name. "What do you mean, Roger?" "Nora Warner Is dead!" he replied, slowly. Jd the gaslight fell over ami rom As I quietly moved to the iloor. I hav it roado many discoveries siuce you 1 laselv left mo when I had made every a could make for the Jy dimpled Then her broken heart hud to be «|D in She turned the little picture, gave one glance, and then, with a cry of dismay and astonishment, lot it fall back in its old position. her red ehcoks so rev \ud her eyes shone so wiC sacrifice a wo uims against the oppressor, unii, she found some relief In being able to forget for the time being that which was bearing so heavily upon her. Lawrence Richmond was like a tiger at "Oh, Roger, you have saved mo from that dreadful man. I am so glad, so glad." The girl gave a start, and an exolamatlon fell from her lips. "Impossible 1" she cried. "His curse went home. God punished him, oh! how terribly, and yet at the 6ame time I had to suffer with him, for were they not my darlings? Not one was left; he alone remained to curse the blight that had fallen upon his home— the desolation that had robbed him even as he had robbed me. Uat 1 guessed where L And I reached u i turned ,ts wer man she lov leaving mv gipsy home, other, ray all, to become your wife I thought . t Av hen I followed It was all she could say; simple enough in itself truly, and yet the relieved cry of an overburdened hoart. Sho had gazed upon the face of her "Not so, dearest. Read that letter, and you will see that what I have told you was the truth. Nora Warner, poor girl, has found rest. The letter was delayed in finding its destination, and some kind fate directed it into my hands. Read.'' : turning witu nuirou, 1 •ouliai! deliberately planned The minister who was to perform the ceremony was a particular friend of Capt. Grant's, and having been already primed by several glasses of hot punch, lie would not have hesitated about uniting a man in the holy bonds of wedlock to his mother-in-law or own aunt. father 1 FETTERED BY FATE had even wager that ,vay the daugliter of the bay He was iu Uio toils of the oppressor and although he squirmed under tho yoke, he could do nothing but what the Captaiu wished. CHAPTER XIII. lure Roger looked down upon her tenderly, and oven drew her closer to him, an action sho oould do nothing to prevent, even had she so desired. "THE LIOHT OF MY LIFE GOES OUT WTTH leen The Captain uttered an oath HIM." "Why do I tell you this, child? I hardly know, for I have never spoken of it to a single soul, but there Is something in your face—your eyes—that makos me talk of the old happiness, the old pain, and I feel better for relieving my weary, over-burdened, pain-racked heart. I told you I loved him so well in spite of all that I forgave him, but once my heart came very near rebelling, and I could have cursed him when I heard how my dear ones died, but peace from Heaven came Into my heart, and I forgave him even that. I have lived here for months and yet not once have 1 set eyes on him, or even heard his name mentioned by those whom I am occasionally brought into contaot with. I know not whether peace will ever Join us again, but I am willing to wait and leave it all in Hif5 hands." .mong tiio peaks of the Pyrenees I There was something plausible In this statement that made him hold his arm, for he had raised it as though to striko the old man to his own floor. HAT did It mean? This was the A Thrilling Virginia Romance made my terrible vow to hunt you down to the death, oven if it took years to acih it, und I have never forgotten n the long time that has then. I know that fate .1 bring us faeo to face again, and For tho ftrst tiiije in his life the proud Virginian felt tho iron heel of oppression, and his soul groaned beneath the pressure. He blindly obeyed the mandates of his persecutor, and yet all the while ho was blindly hoping that something would occur to chango tho tide of events and place this man in his power. When that time came, ins he fervently hoped and prayed it would every hour of his existence, ho would show the Captain the same mercy that had been extended toward him and j et.instead of eold-bloodad cruelty, he would let passion master hiin. And it was impossible to withdraw herself from his clasp; she could only romain passive, and forgetting what terrible rocks rose up in front, gave herself up to the enjoyment of tho present. Sho know, poor girl, that tho dream would soon bo rudely broken, that there lay before her a path of duty which she must and would tread, no matter what pain it might cost her; and who can blame hor if she allowed conscience to sink into a lethargy for the time being, seeing that she could not help herself, only that she might gain strength of mind to resist the temptation that must soon come in her way? This was what she read in the great, coarse scrawl of a man who had been a scholar once, perhaps but never a good penman: Being in the condition now that seemed necessary for his business, no scruples would ever prevent him from accomplishing the desired end. and it could be set down as a fact that ho would do his part of the work, at any rate. question ( that kept ringing its « 1 A ('un®es through B / ; t M her brain as she Si i ' ■ ■■ - til 8tood there t» - r ig§ fore that mystei ily, V Ka ous picture. r, / The face Was V-V&?"' JM that of a man in vi tha prime of life. - evidently he" tween tho age of thirty-five and forty, and so different was it from the Lawrence of t he present thftt she might not have recognized it had hot she soon a eopy of tho the same pit • n:v nron the wall ut home. "Roger Darrel here 1" he snarled, BY EMMA S. SOUTH WOBTH smec Ills coolness, which had always seemed a part of his naturo, had apparently deserted him at this juncturo, leaving him the embodiment of savage rage. Tho idea advanced by the old man might have gained more headway, but that in again searching the face of Lawrence Richmond with ills keen eves, ho dctocted a gleam ia the other's orbs which it seemed to him was induoed by triumph. "Mr. Hoger Darrel has proven how wise I was in my Sib—The young woman whom you committed to my care, Nora Warner, made her escape from the asylum a week since, and drowned herself in the river. We have this day succeeded in finding the body, which, though badly mutilated by the fishes, has been identified by articles of clothing as that of your unfortunate wife. It shall wait for you two days, and at the termination of that period, should you not come, I will have the body interred. With deepest sympathy for your great loss, I subscribe myself, your humble servant, [CON'TWDKD ] There stood before hiia one whom his eyes became glued, looked upon her features it plainly seen that he Rave quil though immediately after he wa: self again, cool and collected. Copyright 1888, by Laird i Lo&D belief From the open window, a pair of keen eyes watched all that was transpiring. wo stand, face to faeo, Roger and tho shadowy id as ■ou}(l ,ipos wings of death aro Parrel of tho past larken ' tli skies Though many years indeed had naesed away since he had set eyes on the interior of the Terrace, Rogor did not seem to forgpt certain things about tho mansion, with which he had been familiar at that time, and, from i*nio#g tl10 vines outside tho little balcony, ho could obsorvo without being himself seen above u I have (sought you long, an* nqw my own arm shall avenge tho 1:1-1 Traitor, deceiver, villain, prepare tD "Who are you, girl, and wha seek here?" he asked, somewhat tilv. o you moot your Mak Tho koeri flasher! in U stiletto of th suriliaht. ip-y }:irl Tho Captain knew full well how ho was huted, but ho ws» too bold and reckless to heed it much, au4 let events shiiiie themselves. All ho might pay would go for naught, and Lawrence Richmond saw from tho flash upon tho other's fupp I hut ho was doomed. That settled it. haugh- man Ifco sight would have ,been one full of horror, for tho captain To many Not twenty yards awav, the swiftest lorse iu all the surrounding country was in waiting, bidden by tlDo How long they had been riding Carol could not gvpiss, ft must have been qultp a time. Whore was Rogor taking her? The thought came to her suddenly, and she Instantly made up hor mind tcC iieU. "I will take you anywhere you wish, Carol. I was heading for the old ruined mill, where, as you know, the widow, Mrn. l|v«8 alone. If you can think of apy bottpy tell mo, and I shall carry yqu thorp. only object in carrying you off tq sftyo yttu from a designing villain, a iqafi whom I have met before, and about whom there is a mysterious familiarity that puzzles me at time$." "1 am Barbara Merriles, tho gipsy seek nothing here, for I ra when you came," replied tho ■eagle eyes first fastened upon wooderingly, expectantly Tiio situation had not be«» a very pleasant one, menaced by those two women of the dead past &» it li#id been ; but ht was a man who believed firmly iu luck uud fate, and something seemed to tell him tli»t ail would come out girl. se lo the edge of the preei- nitd as tliot ;h a touch Again the soldier clutched him, and his face, purple with passion, looked more like the possession of $ (lend than a human being. By whs*t right, diil this lone woman who !.ime from no une knew where, havo he! father's picture upon tho wall' What mystery v.a; this? "Elysium House, on the Potomac." "Timothy Grim, M. D. All thia -while Carol had been utterly unable to speak a word, but now she recovered her breath. piee V»"OUlC that i nd him ovt tid the enraged Roger Dan-el's was not the only form tMuUcfyed at a window and looking on, for u man, dresssd in black, and with a certain foreign pir about iuuD, at one of these opening upon tlfe piazza, and hiw eyna wop® glued upon Gapt. Grunt With a cold gleam In ti,ei#. lyhjle from his nnietachod lips fell the yards: She read this through and then handed It back to him with a look of pain on her fano a disappointed expression, turning i iis hand. ml then, with girl was half-crouched, ready to fly at "In Heaven's name, who are you, and what relation do you bear to Lawrence Richmond?" 6he gasped, her eyes all aflame with eager expectancy. "I was told afterwards that the courts had made us strangers, but for eight years ho called me by that dearest name on earth—wife. I am nothing to him now save the wretched woman from whom he was divorced, and who loves him still in spite of her wrongs; but why do you ask? Ha ! your face is white, and your hands tremble. You advance toward me—you hold out your arms. No; it must be a dream, for they all sleep under the magnolias. Girl with the eyes and face of my dead Carol, what relation does this man bear to you?" and she tore down the hidden picture, holding it in front of Carol's face. Not:i nerve of his frame trembled yet he kiirw full well Mm li pantlier "You havo played me falso and now I shall bring ruin upon you. I told you it was a dangerous game playing vyitl) flre, and it seems you wpuld npt Ijeed It. The consequenoes be upon your own head. Do ypu J}ear roe, traitor?" Was the fact of ita face being turned In to be considered aq insult, or what? Her Wood began to leap through her vein like molten lava, but she was enddenl.. aroused fr«A tUi* state of stupefaction tiiat had come over her, 6piteof tho ma ! ner in which her blood \\fvi boiling, tho voice of Roger, "This Timothy Grim, M. D., may on ordinary occasions be a keen man, but faio has made a football with him, or else this letter has been purposely delayed so that any deception he may have intended could be carried out. One ihing is sure: Nora Warner was In the flesh for days after this letter was written. I have seen and conversed with her face to face." Caiii. Grant had hold his loft. is dang Well So far as Jiarbara Merriles was «C•«- cerued, • this had come true, for the would trouble htm nu kjofc, uuless her hind him, seemingly in a c :iuner, and vet there wa ; much r ich a time every faculty was need ;in his action, for. the gipsy maid -have instantly recognized the -love that ho always wore upon it -vetshe had not been able to catc a glimpse of it. save himself nd th ioldier could i afford to gi Ho ever rv.il Mevri way to trembling. ii!o i in her face. spirit coulil come back to hfuipt tlnj man who had been the curse of her lift), a thing that the Captftijj h#4 no fear of. last I have run-hinD down I" His hand had caught the old man's throat, and in his fury of madness he would In all probability have choked Lawrence llkhwond, for tfop fpw guests present werp so filled wltji horror that they could move neither hand nor limb; but tjifs junction t}ip form of the mysterious foreigner darted acro&s thp floor. is this v done to t-' ;ow Barba The ouroinoBy commenced ics that ! Dnied tier not. or Thus affairs were allowed to drift along in their own way, and the fatal luour drew near when the climftx was to com®- Jt was destined tfl gp through, and yet not through this notorious for. nigauT, \fho appeared to have such an attachment for I he j»j}J4jcr-duelist, caratany interruption. "Carol!" "Then you overheard all tliat passed between Lawrence llichmoad an.l myself ?" he asked. might be that he desired to still further enn-ge her, so that she would blind herself with anger. 4 simple pronunciation of her name, but there was that in tho to:io that caused her heart to soemlngly stand still. She slowly turned. The young girl felt har soul recoil in horror at the thought of making such a sacrifice, even for her father's for ho had given her to understand just how It was, and why ho was forced to do such "I believe yaq, Imager, and sooner would I have died than have beeorao his wife; but It seemod as If my senses were bound, and all that J did was in a mechanical way. Thank heaven you saved me from such a fate, I shall never forget it, linger, never." •'Alive and here! What can she want, poor girl; but why need I a3k? If that be so, then all is gloom again where I had caught a glimpse of dawn, aDd the darkness will be all the darker and fvj •pain more bitter because of it. oh, Carol, am I to go from you forever? Something seems to tell me that if we part now it will be never to meet again. "You have spoken truly; but it neei not trouble you, for I have neither th disposition nor the power to harm you o interfere with vonr olans. Mv missioi "I 60e you are like a tiger-eat, and seek my life. Explanations would avail naught with such as you, and I aha.ll not waste any breath with them Fl'ow the easy attitude ho had assumed, it was ei"sy to *00 that Ue intended watching It through. Roger had only obtained a gllmp e or tho faf-o that was Inclosed in tin- g./.d frame and turned to the wall, and he had not recognized it, qf oonrse. lfi» liitml, too, was upon other things, and lit! paid little heed to the emotion of the young gii l save as it referred to him, One hand fell uppn tfoe shoulder of the craaod soldier, Before an unnatural thing. "One wife more cannot hurt the rogue, for he han already had at least ten, bo far as uiy knowledge of him goes. As for the girl, she loves him not, anif it will only please her to learn that she is not his wife. The Count plays his cards well, but thiif branded hand and the black glove have betrayed him." "Just In time to prevent the charge of murder from being added to the list ol crimes of whloh you stand aooused, my dear count." . i- is ol n. rar cut to rent nature searching for a man." All. indeed. Atid mav I iuquin attended your scare! you go a step further I wish to warn you, girl, that the consequents wiJJ fall upon your own head. As wo 11 might tht stars try to rival tho moon as for you to think of overconiinr a man of my caliber. For the last time, Barbara, I warn you to beware. If you come on, It will be to your death." Still it was uot 60 bad as it might have been at a former time. Her heart lay dead within her, and she could not take half the interest la matters that she might otherwise have buf, yet the idea of marriage with that man was quite enough to horrify her. There was sincerity in her voice, but Roger made no reply. His heart was too full for utterance, knowing as he did, that all was over between them, and that of hor own free will sho had yielded to the dictates of fate, and Renounced all happiness aud peao?, ws r The Captain did not relax his grip upon the old man, but, as the voice of the stranger reached hla ears, it was observed that he not simply shivered, but shuddered like a man with the ague. ' 'He is my fathert* I'm?" asked the captain, into whoso Oyos i-aruo a imjst peculiar gleam That look betrayed liim Ho might disguise his 'Carol!" "Have you over sounded the depth of that terrible word? Think of the days, weeks, months, years that must pass, and yet I will remain but a sad memory in your mind. I am a brave man, and have faced the cannon's mouth without flinching, but there are times when it seems to me I dare nor face the great future stretching out before me without you beside me. I have ltd a lonely life In the past, and yet never have I willingly wronged man or woman. My heart has often ached for its mate and in you it found rest. One word from you will decide all, and may God give you wisdom to decide and me strength to bear. Tell mo, beloved, is it life or death; shall I stay go?" I ,ri®i Shp read much in the manner of hi.- pronouncing her namo. It had alway» sounded like music from his lips, for love made hii» speak it as no other could: but now, besides reverence sho could read passion but half suppressed, wild entreaty and fadeless, deathless love in his alter Tim voico beyond recognition, jD*ss his brother without re but the eyes of hate are ko thosa of love, and Barbara Me His face had changed with the rapidity of lightning, and in place of the sneering smile tig.d como a savage look, while his brow was corrugated and his eyes flashed There was one, however, whose interest in her never flagged, and that person was Roger Parrel. He kuow she loved hue, and, if her »cj'uples wpuld not permit her to marry him, he was at least determined that she should not bo forced to many another againat hfcr will. In the midst of the ceremony, however, quite an unlooked-for event occurred. He slowly turned his head, his face still scarlet, and thefe was a look in his eyes that was uipst wonderful to behold, but whether of fear or defiance, or both, It would have bpen hayd to say. Onse or twice a wild thrill seemed to take possession of his heart as the thought flashed into his mind that perhaps It might make sumo difference now that he bad saved her. Surely even with such a taint u|Don his family name, an alliance with him could not be any worse than with such a scoundrel as Capt. Giant, as the adventurer was pleased tc call himself. Both at R}ohmoi}d Terpaco Darrel Chac-e tlipre were m&chipes for manufacturing gas, such as is the general custom anions tho wealthy planters of the Southern states, find the who}e supply was furnished by a single pipe. een that expression in his eyes t , forget it. She knew him now. -fiko little lightnings, voice. "You waste your breath, Roger Darrel, false lover, base fiend! Hero I am, resolved to avenge the past, and It It* just as well for you, as I would never leave you in peace as long as I lived. Ha! Here is Barbara Merrile3' blow for ro- Fpr half a minute hp looked at the man In black over his shoulder. The light deserted his eyes and sullen fury alone raged thpro, Gone were all other thoughts. It would have been hard to havt me keener than this gipsy girl. Hind There was one of the servants at the Terrace who hail become aware of the love that existed between his young mistress and. ti»e master of Parrel Chuce, and whom, some time previous, Roger hid been In a situation to assist In a material way. She knew that perhaps the greatest trial of her life was before her, and she took a long, deep breath, as if she could draw in with It inspiration and courage to do that which roason told her was right, even when her heart cried out against its bitterness. I Though tho knowledge had come to her ike a thuuder-ciap, she did not betray When the minister w»# just propounding to Carol tho solemn question &s to whether she would ''take thjs man to be your lawfully wedded husband," tho answer to which would pot hftve been regarded with much anxiety, even if It had been a flat refusal, sudden and complete darkness came upon the whole house, every gas-jet being extinguished on the instant. rsel Not a muscle of lior ive evidence of tlio amazing C 't'.Y'hat dp you seek?" hp Anally demanded.As quickly as this hope came It was banished, for he reallted that Carol had done this aot from principle, and would not very likely let her judgement bo influenced by the new state of affairs, even though her heart was. .lie liail luade. VCBg lit: that nothing lie could say or do would keep her back; for the timw being she was CFazed with fuiy, and would have leaped at him had she known that certain death lay beyond, but neither by look nor movement did he let her see that ho feared her. "I seek you, count. Be careful how you oapry yourself if you would not have all made known hero," returned the new- •1 have searched far anil wide 1 ■tin1 man who ruined my life ai lie came a step closer to her. her through his Tho man, therefore, owed him much, and he had been well pleased at tho aspect of affairs up to the time the explosion came. His arms were held out, his pleading eyes fixed upon hor own with a glance that was almost fascination. Ho had caught her In his arms now, and she could not have resisted oven had*such been her desire. J' yiDs. J10S3 to JIK I ih'ttored mvs If t Cuuning orept Into tho eyes of tho Captain, and ho proved himself the son of the Evil One by his actions. Some mon would have •' en foolish enough to have flown at the stranger, and havo been defeated, but ho was ft)o wjse fur such a comer A short time later, and he drew up In front of the old mill. would know him, no *u where I met him, such was my him; but I was wroujj. tor when tD: bate for How she longed to throw herself into those arms and bo forever at rest; but she know lull well guilt would never let hor rest, and, with a heroism worthy of tho olden martyrs, she stilled her throbbing heart as best she could and held back.. Hiseyea wero glued upon her face, (ull of the passionate fire of thq absorbing love that possessed his soul, and she trembled under the look, knowing her weakness now that love had such a power over her heart; but she summoned up her courage and resolutely shut out thte alluring scene that came before her. 4-iior t.n(4i eyeni/ Auuiew naa uikt-u il upon himself to convey »11 that lie saw and heard in reference to Miss Carol to Roger Darrel. He did not act in a mean manner, but, believing that this objeet was good, and that the end justified the means, he was continually on the lookout for something hinging on the case. The effect can be imagined It was as picturesque a 6pot as one could well imagine, for the great trees overhung (hp ruined mill, and the noisy fall of the water over the dam could be plainly heard. All the terrible wrongs of the past must have rushed over the young gipsy girl and overwhelmed her, so that she hardly knew what she was dointr. save mat me object that had been the dream of her life for a long time back was in a fair way of being consummated. Consternation filled the minds ol almost every ono, and the few guests present were alarmed, not j«)0\viug wfofi} was about to happen, CAROL SPRANG FORWARD AND CLASPED "Once I thought I had found him, ami only after my dagger had almost Uilien his life did I realize my mistake and curse my blindness. The man I liaCl fol•o Drea bo long was not tno liogor Liarrei who wrecked my life, but one to whom I owe much in the past. HER ARMS ABOUT THE NECK OF falso course THE WIDOW. Capt. Grant did not realize whether this was an accident or part of a deep laid plan to rob him of his intended bride; so, In order to be ready for emergencies, he threw one arm around her. "Gentlemen, you will oxome mo for n few minutes while I retire with this person ami explain to him tho misuiki under which he labors," said tho Captain. As seen in daylight, there was some, tiling sad and lonely in the spectacle of the ruined mill. Where were its former occupants? Onco busy life had dwolt there; the song of tho miller was heard from morning until night. Gone now were the prattling tongues that had made the rafters ring with their cheerful, childish noise. In all her life Carol Richmond had never seen such an expression of wild ungovernable joy as swept over tbe features of Mrs. Bandall when she uttered thoso four words, so simple, and yet containing a wonderful amount of knowledge to the poor lady: The temptatlru had just then been almost beyond her endurance, but ahe had triumphed, nnd from this time on the victory was in her hands. Sho would have been no mean antagonist lor any man in her present condition, for the fury in .her heart had made her muscles like steel. Her lithe frame was drawn up to its fullest extent, and such a picture of supple grace could not well be found elsewhere. Thus the young master of Darrel Chaeo was aware of all things of importance that were transpiring at the That was a period, brief in regard to the- seconds composing it, but seemingly hours in duration, when there was taken into calculation the intense anguish that wrung Iheir hearts and minds. "When I found this out I began to despair, for it seemed as though Satan protected his own; but a little bird whispered to my soul that wo would meet again some day, and this was all that kept me from going mad." Of course those present murmured au audible assent, ut which the mysterious straijgor smiled, and camo very At almost the same instant, however, Carol was jerked from his encircling arm, and he received a blow on the head that staggered him. What did she believe of him, standing there and looking 1dm in the eyes? The story of Nora Warner, as told by that unfortunate girl herself, must have flashed into her mind like lightning, but with her eyea upon Roger Darrel's handsome, honest face, she was as sure that he could do no wrong to any one willfully as that she drew breath. He know how hard Carol seemed to suffer, and, not knowing wb broken heart she carried about with he:, could not but feel a trifle angry at the delicate scruples that could doom two lives to continue suffering. Terrace laughing. neat "He is my father!" Ho accompanied theCaptuln, however, and there were somo who saw that hC hold in his hand a little royolvor, wlilol. was kept half concealed. Evidently, the foreign gentleman had no intention o' beuig overpowered by treachery. "Bogor, there is but one answer. Love can command my life, but it can never eaaso me to forget that I am a Richn -md. As th» dearest friend I have on earth, I look to you, but more than that you cannot, must not be, while she lives. My answer Is—Heaven help us both—go I" First of all she could trace amazement and incredulity on the face of the widow, but this quickly gave way to other feelings as her mind began to comprehend the true state of affairs. The poor wheel that had been wont to turn all day long 6tdl remained, but a mere skoleton of Its former self, most of the wood work having rotted away. Bank weeds clung to the Iron bands where they had caught during a freshet, and waved to and fro with every parsing "Then you must hate this man terribly?" said the soldier, question in glv. At last the tableau was broken. Wilh a cry like that of an enraged animal, the gipsy girl sprang forward. « J?3 "Hate "is a feeble word to apply to the feeling I have in my heart for him. There are times when, in thinking over the past—all I have been to him, and how basely he deceived me—it seems to me I must go mad if I do not) meet him soon; and If I could only stand face to face with him once more, I would ask no other favor on earth. She had been close to Capt. Grant, and this movement would have hurled her form upon him had he remained in his old position—which he did not. This harsh feeling quickly passed away, however, and his heart bled for his lost love. How he yearned to take her In his arms, and, kissing away the tears, cheer her spirits. What a terrible fate it was that fettered them so, and kept apart two souls that lived but for each other. Then a cry broke from her lips—a cry so full of delirious joy that it pierced Capt. Grant went away with a Strang look lliU'O his face, a-jf of mingled hat and shrewd cunning—a look that wouir perhaps have alarmed the foreigner had he noticed it, aud been more oailious; but ho was not willing to give the count, as he called Grant, credit for the sagaeitj he really possessed. That Nora Warner was his wretched wife she understood too well, for had he not himself acknowledged the stain upon his name? But thai ho had acted the part of a villain toward her Carol could never believe. Ho nerved himself to ipeot it like a man, but it was a terrible blow. Carol's heart — and she realized then what was the relationship between them. When he saw that timo for action had arrived, and that the vengeful girl was coming at him like a tornado, the duelist captain quickly stepped aside. If the old mill looked strangely sad In the day time, how weird and ghastly Its appearance by starlight. "Carol, it may be you are right, though I am too blinded by love and sorrow to comprehend it. In the future I shall be to you a friend in time of need. I shall come and see you here, but never again #6 your lover. Then, if there is any relative to whom you would liko to go, I will take you there. I hear Mrs. Randall coming. Trust in her, for she is a true frlond. And now farewell, my love, my life. Farewell, farewell." "My child! my child! Oh, how could they be so cruel as to tell me all had died? J see it now! He would not let me have even one little grain of comfort and hope, but must doom me to complete despair. But the Comforter came—he could not keep him away—and I found peace. You have looked on your mother as dead, and few there are who know different, but she stands before you, Carol, seeking your pity—your love. Will you come to me, or have you learned to hate the mother that bore you? Speak to me, my child; my heart trembles in anticipation. Heaven help me." "Ho is as cunning as the fox and as daring as the panther. I should expect to find him even in the house of his deadliest foe, and, perhaps, eating at the same tablo with him. You may think me crazy, but I was never more sano in i:iy The moment was so abrupt that there was no timo given Barbara Merriles to recover herself, and as a consequence, not meeting with the resistance she had expected in the shape of her foeman, she tottered upon the very brink of the awful precipice. He also learned, with great surprise and anger, of the plans that were being perfected for the 6peedy marriage of Carol. Boger had evidently been here before and made all arrangements, for, evon as he leaped to the ground and was in the act of lifting Carol down, the door opened, and a woman appeared in view holding a sputtering candle. Ever since hearing what Barbara Morriles had to say, she had deemed him innocent of any wrong, such was her love and trust, and this it was that made her believe in him through all. There were those present who reallj expected they would never see him again. Thoy knew not who the mysterious man was, but he was evidently on the captain'* trail, and upon the faco of the latter tliej had read guilt plainly. Both the Captain and Lawrence Blehmond would have been amazed could they have learned how much of their mutual understanding was known. Boger was quite well aware of the fact that the soldier duelist possessed a s«cret which he held over the head of Carol's father, and that this same secret was to be the "open sesame" to the old gentleman's They had called Nora Warner mad. Why should she not, therefore, imagine even more wonderful and more terrible things than those she had told to Carol? life. True, my heart Is trembling, but i is with happiness because the end Is a The shadow of a terrible crime hung over the old mill, and most people in the neighborhood avoided it, especially after nightfall. All the money in the vaults of the treasury could hardly have tempted one of the negroes on Bichmond Terrace or Darrel Chace to have willingly gone to the haunted mill when darkness had descended upon the land. Even then she might have recovered her equilibrium and saved herself, but it seemed as though k were fated 6he should perish, for the earth crumbled away beneath her weight, and, with a sharp cry, she went down. Lawrence Bichmond was among the number. He felt sure that the Nemesis for whom he had longed had come, and that the captain had fallen into his grasp. That it was due to the judicious item in the newspapers, ho also had no doubt. Panting, she struggled from his fierce embrace. He stood there looking at her whilo he grew calm and icy cold. Then, turning, he took his hat and left the old mill. "Yes, my work is nearly done. The monster who wrecked my life still lives, and I havo tound him. Heaven be praised for this moment. Hold out your hand, iiond, scoundrel! Ha! the black glove! That is the last proof. Here the trail ends. For many weary months T hand. She had seen demented peple before, and knew their vagarios—knew that ofttimes thoy cursed the hand that carod for them, and reviled the one who loved and cherished thom since childhood, as if she had been a devil on earth instead of an angel. There was not the least hesitation. treasures She sank back with clasped hands and tearful eyes. With a low, exultant cry or "My mother !" Carol sprang forward and clasped her arms around the neck of the widow. When hope seemed indeed lost, a ray came to her, for her hands, thrown out with a clutch of despair, fastened upon a root that Jutted from the face of the cliff at its very top. He knew that Carol hated this Capt. Grant, whoever he might be, and ho became nrmiy resolved that, it it must be the last act of his life, he would prevent the unholy marriage. Since words would bo of no avail, he was ready to proceed to still stronger measures. HE BECEIVED A BLOW THAT STAGGEKEI If exposure of his own trouble could only bo avoided, none would feel more glad than ho that this doom had fallen upon the soldier duelist, for he had come to hate Capt. Grant most heartilv. HIM. What this crime was does not enter into our story, so far as particulars are concerned, but let it suffice to say that the mad miller murdered his wife in a fit of jealousy, and also the man who was working for him, whom he suspected— whether rightly or not was never fully provon—of being his wife's lover, ending the terrible tragedy in a fitting manner by taking his own life. "Give me strength, oh Father in Heaven, for the light of my life goes out with him r have sought a devil In human shape, and now I havo found him. You are the man I" He made a clutch, but his arm onlj clasped the empty air. Whither tht young gill had gom lie could not guess. Wonderful, is It not, what things dart through the mind in a few seconds of time? The strange feelings sho had experienced at sight of Mrs. Randall were all explained now, and could be accounted for on very natural grounds. There she hung, unable to help herself, hanging between heaven and earth, between life and death 1 A. light was struck, and, upon being applied to the gas the rooms were oneC more illuminated. Then the truth became apparent. Now that the skies seemed brightening inj this direction, his thoughts turned upon the abduction of his child. There had been no change in his ideas thus far, and when he declared to the captain that it was his opinion Boger Darrel was the one they had to thank for this madcap act, he spoko his convictions truly. Boger could bear the silence no !onger CHAPTER XIV. CHAPTEB IX. He remembered the story of young Lochinvar, who carried off his bride just when she was about to be married to another, and yet the cases were far from bei ng parallel, for in this instance thero was a barrier between them, and, even though he Baved Carol from such a fate, it would not bring them any closer together.When he spoke his voico vibrated with emotion, which he tried In vain to suppress."HE IS MY FATHER I" They embraced with all the fervor ol thoso who loved, though they had boen parted so long that it was as if Carol had never seen her mother. THE CLOVEN HOOP. He could have saved her if he would, HEN Mrs. Randall entered the room, the mind of the young girl leaped again to tho mystery that had engrossed it before Roger Parrel made Lis appeal for life and love—her father's picture turned with its face to the wall. H E seeno was dramatic. One exertion of his muscular power, and she would have been lifted to life. How could she have ever again attempted to slay him when this was the case. "Carol, my own love, for the last time I como to you, a suppliant. Pride has given way before the love that floods my soul, aijd, unable to restrain the words that rush to my lips, I speak on, it may be to my doom. You may hato me for thus tempting you, but God know* I do not look at it in the same light you do. The shame of the past is buried in the madhouse. Why should this woman come between us? Whither she had gone, or who lgi'l car ried her away, not a soul in that roon could pay. Perhaps Lawiviioe Rirhiuont could give a shrewd guess, and, m something like the truth camo througl his mind, he could not lu'lp the faint grim smile that ciept over his counte nanee. » Carol was missing! Then they *ut down to talk, first of tht fntj' had led *C■D tM«* '»D«» and then of tho past. Jparol heard her mother's story, as told In the simplest manner, and then she found no blame could be attached to her. That her father had been blinded by jealousy there could not be the least doubt in the world, and while In this state he could be n* more held accountable for his actions than the man who was drunk. Such a striking \ tableau, if it only l~£i could bo trans~ v ferred to canvas, kSJjjetv would surely N bring both lame . and fortune to the artist. Eveiy thing was v propitious for the The children of this unhappy couple had been taken in charge by relatives, who tried to rent out the mill, but the effort was in vain, for all united in declaring it was haunted, and that in the middle of the night they would be aroused by a terrible din, which invariably resolved itself into one sot conclusion. But he was a man -without a heart. He was just about to give some orders in reference to pursuit, which would have been quite useless, as the bold abduotor must be miles away by this time, when on® of the windows of the room was darkened, and a man cnterod in whom they recognized Capt. Grant. Kneeling down, he saw her face, whito now from terror, the great black eyes looking up at him in a pleading way, but he even 6miled sardonically, and uttering one word, "Farewell," walked a few paces away to where he could only see the small brown hands clutching the root in a death grasp. Then he turned his back upon the spot. Ho heard no sound, no cry; but when he turned a few minutes later, the hands had vanished. Meanwhile preparations were going on at tin' Terrace for the wedding of Capt. Grant and Carol. The young girl had not spirit. enough just thcij to resist. Her faith in Roger was not gone, but it had received a terrible shock, and this rendered her quiescent with the numb pain that filled her heart. It caught the eye of Capt. Grant, um in an other instant he was at the man'i side his hand clutching his arm. He was alone, They declared they heard the mad miller chasing his wife and hired man from room to room, cursing and reviling, while they prayed and pleaded their innocence with him. Then would come the sound of heavy blows with a knife, one for each person, heavy falls, terrible groans, and silence would ensue. scene, even to the "Listen to me, dear Carol. I told you once you were my first Jove, and I tell you the same now. No matter what happens in the future, believo that, and also that I shall be faithful to you until death takes mo honce. Oh, my poor darling, why wore you cur ed with a love like mine, that seems to blight where it falls; and yet God is my witness that If I could serve you by having my poor body tortured, willingly would I undergo the infliction. You believe me, do yoi not, beloved?" romantic surroundings— great precipice leading down a hundred feet or eo, the beautiful river below glinting in tho rays of the sun, the majestic trees and huge frowning rocks—all these only gave additional power as a setting to what was already a most wonderful picture. "You have sealed your doom by thu aot, Lawrence Richmond," he hissed, savagely. CHAPTEB XII. What was thore in the hidden past of this still handsome woman that connected her with Lawrence Richmond! Of late Carol had begun to see her father In a new light that was not as agreeable as It might havo been. Formerly she had loved him, and been petted by him aa one who would exDeot an only child to be, but all had changed on that day when he found her seated by the side of Roger Parrel In the forest. THE HAUNTED MILIi. Although unable herself to alter the plans of 'the two men a particle, there rotted deep down in her heart a hope, the composite quality of which she herself could neither analyze nor even understand, and yet it seemed that she looked for help from some quarter. LTHOUGH, as has been said be~o, Carol Richond had hoped r something to ome in her favor hen hope jmed even a delusion and a hollow mockery, she had never expected it to como in the way it did. Tho widow had not even hoard Carol's name front Roger, he having only stated the bare facts, and she had consented at oneeto aid him. her soul recognizing the Injustice of such a forced lnarriagi:. Spite of his satanic nature, the archplotter could not but feel the shudder that passed over his frame as, in his mind's eve, he saw the poor gipsy girl whirling down to the awful death below. CHAPTER XI. WISDOM OF THE HERPKNT. There were some who shook their heads wisely, and made sage remarks about vivid imaginations, wind blowing through strange knot-holes, and the like, but it might have been noticed, singularly enough, that these self-same wiseacres were the very last ones to ever volunteer to spend a night in the old mill. HE Captain's face was as black as a thunder cloud, when he grated the words out bebetween his teeth and well might he be enraged, believing, as he did, that this was some of the The gipsy girl, with her wondrous face and peculiar rich garments, stood with her form drawn up like a tragedy queen. Carol possessed a part of her father's determined character, and .'.ho did not long beat about the bush. Though her question apparently startled the widow, there crept a shadow of pain into her face and h'er voice trembled as Ac said : He had then showed what an ungovernable temper he possessed, and this had not improved since. Then had come his strange conduct in relation to her marriage with Capt. Grant, who also had a hold upon him for 6ome act done in the past. "It is over,'' ho muttered between his teeth as he walked away with ouick nervous strides; "she sought her own doom. Would that Nora Warner had gone with her. My skies are brightening with the drawing in of the net!" Tho preparations for tho wedding were not of a most magnificent nature, for It was the Captain's wish that the ceremony should b'' quiet, and witnessed by only a few personal friends of tho family. "You know I do, Roger. You know that my heart is wholly yours, and over will be, but once again I tell you what you ask can never be. There rests between us a barrier as deep and unfathomable as the abyss through which the river passes on its way to the sea—a barrier as high as the noblest peaks of the mountains, and over which evon love as powerful as ours cannot reach. Mj heart is breaking, Roger, but better that it should do so with love than shame and disgrace." Her intensely black eyes were bent upon the form of the man before her, as though she would scorch him with the lire'that was contained In them, while her right hand was raised and the index finger pointed at her enemy as if sho would send a poisoned dart to his heart. What was his object in this, he, the For some years back It had been Inhabited by a woman who called herself Mrs. Randall, and it was assumed that she was a widow. She was quiet and troubled no one, and always seemed to havo enough money to keep herself in existence and aid those poorer than herself. '•People often turn to the wall the pictures of those dead. He is dead to me." Last of all, shta now heard o f his contemptible conduct in the past, and her sympathy was wholly with her mother, whom she exonerated from all blame. CHAPTEB X. ;na:i CD fiili of display and love of ostentation, thoy could not comprehend; but Lawrer.eo Richmond suspected that he w as nil aid sum# one who had known him in the past, and whom he was afraid to see, might learn of Ills whercaijouts. Whccf the gas was so suddenly extinguished, through the agency of the shrewd Andrew, who had arranged all these matters with the young man beforehand, she too was somewhat alarmed by the total darkness that came upon the see no. "Was he a great friend, then?" a&kod Carol, breathlessly, her eyes fixed upon Mir. Randall's face. DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND. treacherous work The expression upon her face was a most remarkable one, being a mixture of crazed delight and trembling eagerness. AKOL RICH- T.OND suffered in silence. of the man whom he held in his power, and who, up to this time, he had deemed so alarmed for his own safety that he was even afraid to call his soul his own. "Ho was more than that, child. Ah ! It is a sad thing to have the one you love best upon earth turn upon you and revile you—to wrongfully accuse you of that at which your heart recoils in horror; to send you from him as he would a leper, and at one fell swe«o wipe out the happy past. Pray Heaven you and Roger may never reach that point where you must part and forget." True, some might have &aid she was indiscreet, not knowing the circumstances of the case; but when her story was told, Carol saw that there was not the slightest possibility of her having done wrong, and, had Lawrenoe Richmond given heV a chanoe for explanation, Instead of standing there and oureing her, he could not but have been convinced of her entire innocence. Sometimes she did a little sewing, and very often nursed the sick, but for this latter service she would take no pay. "You aro the man!" Though her leart seemed Droken, she made lo moan; but Filled with this idea the Virg.aian made Before she had time, however, to colleot her senses, which had been rather confused, owing to the critical position in which she had been found when tne gas was put out, she felt the Captain's arm encircle her waist and draw her close to The one to whom this was addressed stood there, a Very fair representation of sneering Satan in his most pleasing iin-'tc lo have an announcement of the coming marriage iri several different papers of Washington and Richmond. He would as soon have looked to see a worm turn under the heel that mangled it and attempt to retort, as to have Lawrence Richmond try to thwart his plans; not that he looked upon the old man as harmless, but because he bolieved he had him in his power so completely. The negro doctor of the neighborhood, a black upon Richmond's plantation, tried to make out that she was a witch, because her simple decoctions of common herbs proved efficacious when his weird incantations proved of no avail, but ho was not believod. The blacks looked upon her with reverence, while the gentry at least bore her no ill-will, though they knew from her looks she was a woman with a history. 'still waters run leep," and her iuict manner was With iarc cunning he also contrived to "Shame and disgrace," he muttered, ropeating her words almost unconsciously, and with a vague look upon his face. His left hand, gloved as it was, had been held out for her inspection, and Uo seemed to have little fear of her, to thus invite discovery; but then she had recognized him before this, and it had only been an act of bravado in all probability. dress. havt tiC- itora go the rounds of the pre- s in n'fi'ienoe to a vow a soldier had made yours before to always wear bis left hand covered by a black kid glove. him. only evidence of the great pain within. The story of Nora Warner had almost killed her. So long as she simply believed that there had been a great mistake in his past life—that ho had wedded a woman who Had gone mad—she could still love him. That it was the man to whom she was being wedded when the interruption occurred, she readily knew, for ho muttered words as he held her fast—words that told the young girl ho feared she herself was the object for which this scheme of sudden darkness had been brought about, and that ho was determined it should not succeod if he had any tiling to say about it. "Forgive me for saying it, dear, but I cannot ever be your wife while Nora Warner lives. Her death can wipe out tho shame, nothing else. Until then wo can be nothing to each other." Ah! little did tho widow suspect that they had already passed that Rubicon - • She possesssd a singular, though strong nature, and, when subject to such a tira.de of abuse, pride sealed her lips after that wUd entreaty for him to examine into tlfe matter before ho cursed her. '•If 1 hat. doesn't bring the Philistines down upon hta, then all is lot." The man whom he addressed so fiercely Was for the time being incapable of replying; for it flashed over him that this might not be quite so very pleasant after all, for it might prove a two-edged sword, slaying on both sides. If he could not convince the fighting Captain that he had had no hand in this singular drama that had just taken place, then exposure must come, for in his rage the soldier Would not be very ppt to spare the scourging process. that their young hearts had been wrung with a pain such as seldom falls to the lot of but few upon earth to experience. So suid i ho master of tlie Terrace to himself. u.-i lip reaC! somi* of the notices He was dressed in blaok, and, standing thus, there was, indeed, something so Huggestlve of Mephiatopheles about him that one would naturally glance downward for the cloven hoof. that vri r;' in Mm papers, and then oarofully hid the sheets away for fear lest the Captain should alight upon them. Carol was warmly received. A light leaped into his face that was most wonderful to see. It seemed transfigured, and the sadness of woe unutterable gave way uD the brightness of hope and joy. "I loved him," continued the widow; in a low, sad tone, "as man was nover loved. I have loved him so truly that I have forgiven the great wrong he did me though my pride would never allow me to seek his presence again. Upon the dear graves in the sunny South I have shed bitter tears, but when I think how I shall meet them above, where the truth will be made known, and my heart shown to be as spotless as tho mar ble After hearing what a horrible narrative Nora 'Warner had to tell, howovor, it seamed as though all the dreams of her young life wore shattered. Somehow the young girl had thought Mrs. Randall's oyes had rested upon her in a most singular manner, and yet to her knowledge she had never seen the lady before. The trap was laid, A Jnttlcc of Ibe Peace Shjk. .Fho tableau remained unbroken for perhaps a full minute, and then it was Larbara Merriles herself who distui'bed the spell that seemed to have fallen upon them. At last came the eventful day, and Dame Nature could never have made a more glorious one, for the sun shon« from a cloudless sky, cool, delicious breezes blew and everything looked bright and beautiful. Hardly had these words escaped his lips when Carol was taken suddenly from his arms. "Carol," he said, huskily, "would you be my wife if Nora Warner were dead, so that her namo would be all that was left of her? Would that, indeed, wipe out the disgrace that has fallen upon t'ie namo in your eyes?" HnD. John Nealev, justice of the peace at d f x-nemhor of .the Home of Reprodeatatitei) from Meredi'h, V H„ for twelve rears a isrr b'o t-ufferer with rheumatism. Hessjg; I Chofl Dt obiajn any medicine which does mm much good as your Sulphur Bitters, uni I it ok it is the beat medicine made. bhe could not believe Roger guilty of such inhuman cruelties toward one who had been such a good angel toward him and who had given him such trusting Into whose possession she had now come, Carol could not even guess, and, taken even at the very worst, It could not be more bitter than finding herself In the That she was a lady despite her poor surroundings was plain to be seen. Her hair had once been block, but was now a silver gray, and brushed smoothly away These things darted through the mind of the master of the Terrace verv sneed- "Yes, you are the man, the fiend, the Hi