Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1877-06-21


almost guiltily. She passed Winter
Graeme in the door, and did not reply |
to his salutation. Ifhe saw her face,
he must have started, for it was full
of sorrow and ghostly.
Ada Carter hastened home and en-
tered her little boudoir that looked
upon the sea over which the Neptune
was sailing. She kept her spirits up
until she shut the door behind her,
then, with a wild cry, she reeled to-
wards her couch, and fell on it in q
swoon.
They found her there, and when
she opened her eyes, the day was
drawing to a close.
81 don't believe it," she said 70
her father. II know there must be
some terrible mistake here; but o!
what a dark night has enveloped my
young life!"
John Carter had never liked Clyde
| Thatche:, and he secretly rejoiced
when he heard of the event which had
thrown Beachy into a fllrorc.
81 hope Mr.. Graeme will have a
chance now," he said to himself. "A
merchants son is better than Il nler-
chants clerk any time, and / wouldn't
care Il jot if the Neptune would sink
in fifty fathoms Of mad sea-"
He resolved TO open the way for
Winter Graeme, and before fort
night had passed the young plotter
had crossed the threshold Of Ada's
home. lie came Ostensibly on q
matter of business with the father;
but Ada was made to entertain him,
which she did to the best Of her abli-
ty.
Il regret it, rs we were friends,
said Winter Graeme, referring to the
light of the young accountant. AT
my feet the discovery fell like thun-
darbolt, and | think l could have
save him from fathers ire
During this speech Ada Carter was
watchiag him closely, but he did not
betray himself when he discovered it,
and the girl failed to find anything
suspicious against him.
Your father is not going to have
him hunted down.
mo. have prevailed upon him
against all his wishes,''
She looked up into his face, and
mutely thanked him, then shudder-
ed to think OF the one tar away from
Bcachy, with the finger of crime
pointed at him. Innocent or gully,
she feared that he would never re-
turn.
The summer passed away, and the
year closed with mad winds sweeping
from the sea, and SNOW on the roofs
al heachy,
Winter Graeme made the conquest
Of Ada Cmtcr's hand, much to the
fathers delight, and the wedding day
was near at hand, for the winter was
dying, and spring flowers We're peep
ing from tho ground.
Ada had land away everything that
reminded her of Clyde Thatcher. His
little gifts, his notes. and mementoes
OF their meetings she had packed care
fully in box, which contained love
that could not be forgotten.
The sailing of the Neptune had
passed from the memory of many
people of the Beachy, and new
man stood at the desk once occupied
hy Clyde thatcher. The affairs of
Graemc 4 Co. were sailing over IN
unrufiled sea, and the accused clerk
was seldom mentionedin the town.
Il wonder what ever became ofthe
Neptune" said one of the group of
young men who lounged one spring
day beneath an aged tree i'll Beachy.
Captain Dolphon was a friend of
mine, and l miss his stories of the
sea-"
Winter Graeme and George Darke,
who were of the party, exchanged
glances,
'sOh! the captain has evidently
entered the service of some bey,"
said the merchants son. He once
told me that he thought of selling the
Neptune and his services to Tunis,
and suppose he has lowered the star
spangled banner from his mzizen and
hoisted in its place the tricolor of the
bey."
"What of Clyde Thatcher! said
the inquisitive youth. do you
think that he, too, has turned MOORE"
"He'd turn anything" said Geo.
Qarke, :'only that he will not turn
up in this country again.
Winter Graeme nodded assent to
his companions remarks, and was
about to speak when figure abrupt
ly turned corner and came unex-
pectedly upon the group.
The recognition was mutual, and a
deadly pallor overspead the plotter's 3
face as the new conner shot forward
with clenched hands.
Clyde Thatcher had returnend to
Reachy, and now stood face to face
with the persons who had driven him
from the town in disgraee-driven
him thence against his will. @
" Winter Greme, / am here! - he