The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-11-22

Mr.. Morton rode down townto the Office.
l-LinG to sss the reOoyersd mail matter.
much surprised to find the ones he had
given to his clerk to mail that Tuesday
evening. The money had, of course, been
distracted, the envelope having oeen care
fully opened at one end, and it still con-
tained the note that had accompanied the
money.
Never knew such thing before
thought Mr.. Morton as he rode homeward.
''Through this piece of rascality I have
turned off Forcythe. Wish l knew where
lie is. 1t dill look suspicious, thongh,' =
trying to ease his conscience chat told him
he had been RASH
Veronica Morton made lovely picture,
as she Sat under the subdued gaSlight in
her warm, bright sittinb-room, idly DREAM
ing over volume in crimson and gold tHat
contrastedwitht the lily whiteness of her DIM
pied hand. A rarely beautiful girl of eight
cen, with eyes containing unfathonable
depths of womanly tenderness and truth,
rich cream-tipted complexion, that deepeued
gradually into vivid color on her cheeks, a
mouth sweet, lovable, and firm, and o
form of exquisite proportions, attired in a
closely fitting dress of maroon silk.
Footsteps in the hall and 80, papa,
VDn'va npu,a. vnn'ra latar fho,, runol
WAS the greeting that Mr.. Morton received
as he entered. His careworn face relaxed
from its drawn lines as the girl put her
arms around his neck and kissed him
They passed into the supper room, with it's
bright silver and dainty china.
"What is the matter, papa" asked his
daughter, noticing that he looked unusu-
ally thoughtful.
He hesitated moment, then toli her
the story of his dismissal of Byron For
cythe and the finale. A look of intense
sympathy overspread her face.
80, papa, how dreadfully he must have
felt to be so unjustly suspected. l saw
him few times. He looked too good and
noble to do anything mean. Don't you
think you can find him ?"
II am afraid not dear; but am going
to do what l can"
And when Veronica laid her head on her
pillow that night the face of the tall,
han nd
and fair, broad broad brow, who was un
der the shadow of dark suspicion haunted
her dream.
She had never guessed that the vision of
radiant lovelness that had approached
once or twice in her fathers dusIy Office,
i'll jaunty hat and velvet, was indelibly en-
craven on the the memory of Byron For
cythe, high-spirited, well-boru as she, and
that lie cursed the poverty that forbade
him to try to win the prize he coveted. Mr..
Morton's inquiries for him proved fruit
less, aud the world wagged on.
The crowds on the thronged sidewalks
stopped and held their breath; teams and
turnouts tried to clear the way as runa-
way horse came galloping down fremont
street, chNnping his bits aud foaming.
The driver, who WAS slightly intoxicated,
had completely lost control of him. There
was no one brave enough to attempt the
rescue, and the carriage WAS in momentary
danger of being overturned, when some
one leaped from the crowd, caught at the
bride of the excited animal and clupg to
him with a desperate grip. He was
dragged along short distance getting
terribly bruised, and then others came to
the rescue, and he was taken up insensible
from the feet of the horse, that stood
painting and steaming, but conquered.
The occupants of the carriage We're lady
and a gentleman, whose white faces
showed the terrible fright they had ex-
perienced.
Bring him here, said the lady's sweet,
syery voice. as they hesitated what
to do with the man. "We are almost
home"
my God!" exclaimed Mr. Morton
for it was lie and Veronica-as they placed
him Oh the soft cushions. 1T is Byron
Forcythe!"
For the terrified, lovely face of Veronica
Morton, beside her father in the open
carriage, had caught the eye of Byron
Forcythe, and in an instant he had flung
himself between her and terrible
danger.
"O,' said Veronica, with little cry OF
terror, as she, too, recognized the face
Have we killed him."
And Byron Forcythe was unconscious
that the little gloved Land, which he woule
have counted happiness to touch, wa
resting gently upon the rich masses o
brown hair, that clustered above his fair
open brow.
The best medical aid was summoned, ant
he was soon restored to consciousness. N
prince could have been tended more
carefully than he, lying in a darkenet