Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-09-09

relleVe MS IalNnS fortunes. Line marriage
most feasible: and he began to
reason with himself that if she were to mar
ry him against her own will her grandfather
would surely not cut her off, and at length
he resolved to abduct her.
His plan was adroitly laid. There was
man In the city, an old ally Of his younger
rascalities, who had once helped him in a
somewhat similar adventure, though in that
case the lady was not unwilling Stevens
had personated clergyman then for his
aid, and possibly he might now provide one
who would do up marriage III fact.
Bromley wrote him to come and see him
He came. Almost twenty years had not
changed him very mitch. He was the same
round-faced, jolly, good.hatured fellow he
had known, with broad English brygue,
and broader English laugh.
When Bromley reminded him Of the old
scrape his face fell. Tine look Of content
ment and happiness left it. He was silent
for moment.
II did not think you had sent for me to
speak Of that, or should not have come,
Bromley
"Well, we will not speak of it. I want
you how to help ME in smother way. I
want to marry women against her will"
Il will have nothing to do with it,
Nonsense, Stevens. You will do it,
tits just this"
And he told him all the circumstances
and his plan. Stevens listened, and his
eyes opened wider and wider, until when
he named Emily Carlton, his eyes shut with
snap 50 quick they could almost have
been heard. Stevens now seemed to enter
fully into his plans, and they arranged the
minutie without difficulty
The mex tweek was fixed for the accom-
plishment.
On the appointed morning Stevens was
to present himself at the school as a mes
senger from the city with intelligence of
the severe illness Of Mrs Carlton, and re-
quest for the immediate attendance of the
daughter. He was to convey her by car
riage to the river, where they would take
the steamer for New York, and Bromley
would join them the same evening at place
to be appointed by Stevens. Every thing
promised Success and the clergyman whom
Stevens was to furnish would perform his
work, consent or no consent.
In the drawing-room of. an elegant resi-
dence in the city. at about nine o'clock of a
winter evening, an old gentlman sat alone,
looking into splendid fire, manifestly alb
sorbed in deep thought.
Before him swept the shadows and shapes
Of nearly seventy years, and he did honor
to them, more, or less, as they severally
demanded it. Sometimes his face grew
dark and clouded, sometimes it was clear
and sunny, sometimes bitterly sad.
At length lady entered. She was a.
bout forty years of age in appearance, and
was still very beautiful. No girl Of eigh-
teen ever seemed more fresh in feature,
more graceful in form, or more winning in
all her ways.
''She is here, my father"
'Let her come in, Kate, and will tell
her ALL"
The door opened, and Katharine Carlton
entered. Her presence seemed to give new
light to the room.
Katharine, my child, come close to me.
| have much to say to you tonight, and |
would prepare you for scene you have lit
tie anticipated"
Sha was kneeling by the old mans side,
looking up into his face with trusting
love.
''When 1 was boy loved one who was
like what you are now. lean
see her again when | look at you. l hated
her father, and / was proud Of triumping
over him BY winning his daughter against
his stern commands. I clipped with her
Your mother was our only child. We were
happy together for many years How hap
py! Their memory is buried. I lost her
she died. Then 1 loved yo1r mother
God visited my youthful sins on me, and
in my happiest days your mother yielded to
the smooth voice of scoundrel and left me,
as her mother had before left her father
But your mother was deceived. God pun
ished her too and when you were two years
old, and she had an infant in her arms, she
was abandoned to the world and its cold
cruelties.
By the strange interposition Of Provi-
dence found her in the hour of her utmost
anguish, and took her back to my heart
God has blessed us both with many happy
years since then, and we have loved you be-
yond all words to tell, and now must tell
you who was your father, and who"
He was interrupted by the opening of the
door, and the servant retiring hastily, gave
place to Mr. Stevens and John Bromley.
No man was ever more astonished than
was the latter at seeing the grandfather of
his supposed victim before him. He turn
ed furiously to Stevens, but the next in
slant flash Of lightning appeared to have
struck him. This was surely Mr.. Carlton,
the same man he had seen in France; but
vet it was not the same. The red COM
plexion Of the French marquis was gone,
the dress was altogether changed, and the
man before him was-could he doubt it
how did he fail to see it before-where were
his senses-this man was Judge Cameron,
the man OF all others on the face of the earth
he least desired to see.
L needed but one blow more.
Mrs. Carlton entered. He looked at her
and the strong man quailed before the look
Of the woman he had wronged and aban-
doned. Had the grave opened he could not
have been more appalled,. He thought her
long ago folded in its quiet embrace. tie
though the seal of everlasting silence set
on her testimony. But now he saw him.
self arraigned before the tribunal of injured
innocence and offended justice.
The GOODNESS of the villain returned after
j., ,nomont's nause. and he nreDared to con-