The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-02-24

"Colonel Mansfield has called to see Miss
Anna"
Request him to walk in and / will gladly |
welcome him; then you may inform my
daughter of his arrival"
The Colonel entered, was received with a |
courtesy, grateful kindness, which made |
that queenly matron nobly prepossessing in
his sight.
The conversation, hinging much on the ser
vice he had been so happy as to render, con-
tlnued until the rustic of her dress announced |
beautiful Anna MarstOn, our heroine. As he |
rose, she glided forward, and with hands ex-
tended to grasp his, exclaimed
Il am so glad you have come SO soon, that |
my dear mother may with myself join in a re-
ncwal of grateful expressions for
"A service which fortune threw in my way,
and to which hope my kind friend will make
no further illusions, for by the honor of her
acquaintance L am more than rewarded
nope you feel no evil effect from the startling
incident of the dayl''
None at all. And 1 can now explain to
you how it occurred"
The reader, who has noted all the incidents
of the plot laid by Belphor, needs no repeti-
ton of them here
Colonel Mansfield listened, and with the
keen perception of man of the world, read
the entire plot in all its dark details And
while he rejoiced at its failure, he warned the
lady that bad men seldom give up wicked
plan because foiled at first, and that she must
yet guard against peril from these men.
Urged on, they could not say why, or cared
not to ask, each in turn confded to the other
a knowledge of their respective positions.
The Colonel, who had gained his rank in
the volunteer service, was now about to enter
the regular army as captain of cavalry. He
intended TO do so, for in frontier and garrison
duty he could find leisure to use his pen. and
the income from that, added to his regular
pay, would enable him to continue to support
and educate an orphan sister-his dear little
Pearl, then at the Rutgers Female College.
He informed Miss Marston that his sister
would graduate during the following week,
| and that it was his intention to then take her
| to the West with him.
"For," he added, "she is too Young. too
pure, to go out alone in contact with the
world"
when your dear sister graduates would
| room shall be next my own. Birds shall sing
in every window, and flowers greet her eye
on every side. Promise me, my preseryer,
that you will let her live with me, at least for
| q time ~
| II would be unjust to both you and her to
refuse, and if you will, together we will visit
her tomorrow, for it is Saturday, and she will
| be all day at home"
Anna, noble hearted, far above the selfish
ness of too many of the wealthy daughters Of
America, now revealed her soulful nature, a.
| well as a part of her history.
Do not think me bold, Colonel Mansfield, y
she said &" 1 do not mean to be. But am,
fear, spoiled child. Mother was left 8
widow when was very young, with an i'm
! mense fortune in her hands, u large part O
which became mine a year ago, when / be
came of age. She has had me educated al
home, but has allowed me always to have IN,
own way in everything. 1t has made me in
dependent and willful, apt to speak just as
feel, and to act as / believe right. If err
forgive me.'
Dear Miss Anna, your faults are the fault:
of an angel, and | can never see them. Were
/ wealthy, placed above the influences of that
tide which, ebbing and flowing, carries poor
humanity whittier it wills, | would feel indie
pendent, and say more to you now than honor
will permit For to tell you that 1 love you
to ask you to give your love and hand to onC
unable to do more than to keep himself out O
debt, and to raise and educate one sweet sis
ter, would indeed be dshOnOrable"
Edgar Mansfield, l drop all titles, l scorr
all cold ceremony, hate conventionalities
acknowledge that l LOVE YoU-that nature
whispers to me you are the one the only one
to whom l can confide the happiness of my
life"
"Oh, Anna, is not this dream ~
"No, Edgar Mansfield, it is real, and every
word that | have uttered comes from my
heart. The world, too cold to read hearts as
hearts are, may not understand me, but you
will. Love springs into existence even as
volcanic fires leap from the snow-crowned
mountain, and l LOVE ~
| This outburst of affection was succeeded by
a cry of alarm. Anna MarstOn, raising hcl
eyes to the curtain of the large window, front
ing the parlor, saw face which she immedi
ately recognized. Her startled exclamation
caused the owner of the face to fly, and pur
suit was made in vain.
To account for the presence of this strange
face at Miss Marston'S window it is necessary
to return to the two gamblers. With bite
curses on his lips, Belphor rejoined his part
ner, Durant, and explained the manner il
which Mansfield had saved the lady and how
he had been literally refused an opportunit,
to make any acquaintance with her.
While he was threatening to challenge hi
rival, for such he mentally made him, the vag
abond urchin who had shared in the worl
rushed up, demanding the five dollars which
Belphor had promised him.
Belphor gave him the money, and the DO,
was about to run off when the gambler said
mot so fast, boy. I've more work for you
Do Won see that officer walking toward tn
Drive? Well, want him followed and watch
ed He'll 90 to his hotel first, that am sur
of. But after he comes out again, want t.
know where he goes to, and L don't want hin
} to know that he is watched. Do this an,
bring the information to my lodgings-here'
my card, with the address-and I'll give yol
five dollars more"
"An right, guv'nor," returned the boy
who was about to set forth on the mission
r when Durant stopped him. The latter, VIII
: had been mtently scrutinizing his face 70
l some moments, fancied that he detected i
, his features a striking resemblance to thos
of misery millionaire who pretended to b
l a childless man.
boy, what is your name?" Durant aske
4 | "AwNINGs."
awnings? That is a singular name. VIII
: are you called Awnings"
h Because | was found under heap of avn
r ings when was squaller. But you'd bette
4 let me run after that cove if you don't wal
4 him to get out of sight before start
n With motion Durant assented, and the DO