The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1879-05-01

''Never knew of such thing before, /"
thought Mr.. Morton, as he rode home
ward. Through this piece Of Tascality
II have turned of Forsythe. Wish I
knew where he is. 1t did look suspic-
lous, though" trying to ease his con-
science, that told him he had been rash,
Veronica Morton made lovely pic
tuTe as she sat under the subdued gas
light in her warm, bright sitting-rOOm,
idly dreaming over a volume in crimson
and gold that cOntTasted with the lily
whiteness of her dimpled hand. A
rarely beautiful girl of eighteen, with
eyes containing UnfathOmable depths
of Womanly tenderness and truth, rich,
CTeam-tlnted complexion, that deepened
gradually into vivid color on her cheek; I;
A a mouth sweet, lOvable and firm, and
form Of exquisite proportions, attired in
clOsely-ftting dress of maroon silk.
Footsteps in the hall and, 20, papa,
you've come; you're later than usual,
| was the greeting that Mr.. Morton re-
! Ceived as he enUered. 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 its bright silver and dainty china.
'What is the matter, papa2" asked
his daughter, noticing that he looked
lunUsually thoughtful.
He heatated a moment, then told her
of his dismissal of Byron FOTsythe and
the finale. A look Of intense sympathy
overspread her face. 81
20, papa, how dreadfully he must
have felt to be so unjustly suspected.
saw him few times. He looked too
good and noble to do anything mean. !
Don't you think you can find hin?"
Il am afraid not, dear; but I am going
to do what I can"
And when Veronica laid her head on
her pillow that night the face of the tall,
handsome youth, with fearless blue eyes
and fair, broad brow, who was under the
shadow Of dark suspicion, haunted
her dream.
She had never guessed that the vision
Of radiant loveliness that had appeared
once or twice in her fathers duslEy Office,
in jaunty hat and velvet, was indeliblY
engraved on the memory of Byron For |
sythe, high-spirited, well-born as she,
and that be cursed the poverty that for |
babe him to try to win the prize he COW !
eted. Mr.. MOrtOn's inquiries for him !
proved fruitless, and the world Wagged !
on, q i
The crowds on the tbronged sidewalks
stopped and held then breath; teams
and turnouts tried to clear the way as |
runaway horse came gallOping down |
fremont street, chainping his bits and
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 mOn1entaTy danger of being over
turned, when some one leaped from the
crowd, caught at the bride of the ex-
cited animal, and Clung to him with
desperate grip. He was dragged along a
short distances 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
but conquered. The occupants
of the carriage were lady and a gentle
man, whose white faces showed the ter
Hble fright they had experienced.
'Bring him here" said the lady's
sweet and silvery voice, as they hesitated
what to do with the man. 1--WE are
almost home"
D.. "HTv GOdP' exclaimed Mr. Morton
for it was he and Veronica-as they
placed him on the soft cushions. Hlt is
Byron ForsytheF
For the terrified lovely faCeo Veronica
Morton, beside her father in the open
carriage, had caught the eye of Byron
EOrsythe, and in an instant he had flung
himself between her and a terrible
danger.
, 90" said Veronica, with a little cry of
terror as she recognized the face. Have
We killed him p
Byron Forsythe was unconscious that
the little gloved hand, which he would
have counted happiness to touch, was
resting gently upon the rich masses of
brown hair that clustered above his fair,
open brow.
The best medical aid was summoned, |
and he was soon restored to conscious
hess. No prince could have been tended
more carefully than be, lying in dark
ened chamber, whose rich, soft carpet
nuf8ed every sound. He had skilled
nurse, but Veronica herself often soOthed
bis restlessness. In spite of careful
nursing asbrain fever ensued. His wild
-avings Of unjust suspicion and hopeless
Owe. chilled the hearts of his listeners
Feronica prayed that he might hvetO
Know bis. innocence had been proved,
md her father, who had Just come up
rom the borders of death, lOnged for
reason to-retuTn, that he might atone
o the sensitive soul for the injustice
The boon was granted One afternoon
ne opened his eyes to see FerOnica's
oEelye faee bending. over him, not IA
liant and animated as he had seen it,
)ut sufused with tender sympathy.
"YOu here Where am ]? It was
,our father who Suspected me Of, "he
aid, weakly.
"Can you forgive me, my boy2 I was /,
nasty. 7 proved your innocence long
.go. Will you give me your hand" SAID {
Ir. Morton, who stood there.
"YOu almost gave your life for ours"
aid Veronica, in a faltering tone, reach
ng ont her hand also, which he carried
to his lips.
Byron Forsythe, the junior partner in
he firm of Morton & Co, and the happy
husband of Veronica, is Arm believer
II the doctrine that "Misfortunes are
blessings in disguise" ..-- --