The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-06-14

hhe Charley Clliton aud yet how | have
mistaken Isabel | never thought she
could have used me thus"
The great, strong man was completely
overcome for time; but Mantyle had an
iron will, aud by exerting it to the utmost
he succeeded in suppressing his emotion,
and began to think calmly Of his position.
He had loved Miss Riverton long, and had
been working hard for three years past to
provide home suitable to her rank; and
now she had jeopardized his future happi.
ness so fearfully.
He was pale when the train stopped at
Riverton, ten minutes later; but he walked
swiftly aud firmly across the platform, and
out into the moonlight. He saw the
squire's groom seated upon one horse and
holding the bridle of another. The man
knew him and Mantyle lost no time in
getting into the saddle.
81 am in great hurry, my man you
had better not attempt to follow me, but
come on at your own pace"
The groom touched his hat, handing the
doctor riding-whip, and the next mo-
ment the handsome bay mare, upon which
Mantyle was mounted, dashed along the
f'rost-bound road at full speed.
Mantyle's brain was in whirl; he had
kept himself cool as long as he possibly
could, but the moment he found himself
cstride the back of that good horse, with
tho keen northeaster whistling past his
ears, his stern resolution, his mighty will,
broke down, and the proud, steel-nerved
doctor was wild, excited and eager as a
schoolboy.
There was an awkward check at the
park gates; the old woman seemed to be
an age in opening them.
Would that fatal handkerchief be hang.
ing from the library window? If it we're
he could see it when he passed the first
clump Of trees, half mile away!
One cut of the whip, and they are off
again; straight as line for the cleaning
light of the Hall. Now he approaches
the place from which he will read his fate.
One wild look. Would that his eyes
were deceiving him But no A white
handkerchief hangs from the library win
dow.
The flush face paled, the flashing eyes
were still, as they gazed at the danger
signal with cold, glittering earnestness.
Suddenly the twitching mouth grew firm
and compressed, the hard, white hand
steady; only the proud nostril quivered,
and the high, open forehead lowered But
the excitement had passed away, and the
doctor was himself again.
Within two short minutes he would
hear his fate.
1t was p. N. when Charley Clifton re.
turned to the Railway Hotel, after send.
ing off his letter to Mantyle.
"There can be no danger until after
dinner" he thought; $50 | may as we'll
stay here, dine comfortably, then walk to
the Hall and dress; when | shall be ia
ample time to checkmate the gallant cap
tain If he try any dangerous moves in tho
drawing room"
SO Charley dined at the hotel, and then,
stepping out into the clear, starlight night,
he walked briskly off to the Hall.
The gentlemen had not left the dining
room when he arrived, so he went up to
his room and changed bis shooting habili.
ments.
In descending the staircase 30 came full
upon Squire Riyerton, his ho I, who was
tho model of what an English c. 4untry gen.
tlemln should be.
"hullo Charley where have you been2'
81 have been along to the station. Man
tyle finds he will be able to get away, and
is coming down by the train"
"Mantyle coming That is glorious |
We had better send the carriage to meet
him"
"Better send a groom with a horse.
Mantyle prefers riding, said Charley, who
did not wish to lose any time.
81 will send the bay mare; she will
carry his twelve stone sweefly."
The bay mare was accordingly ordered
to be at the station to meet the south train.
"But, by Jovel am forgetting; you
have not dined9 p
"Oh, yes, | have" replied Charley. "I
could not get back by your dinner-h hour,
so | stayed at the hotel, and my appetite
astonished the walters, ! can assure you"
81 believe that" laughed the squire;
"but | was going to remark that Captain
Brady has taken fancy to my bay mare.
("Your fair one, toe" thought Charley. }
He wishes to give me 1900 for her; Il is
q good price for the animal; but really
don't care about part"
"Therc is Mrs. Riverton beckoning to
you, sir, interrupted Charley.
Away trotted the good natured squire
to obey without murmur the behests of
his good natured wife, and Clifton rushed
of toward the drawing.room.
But he was not fated to reach his des-
tination without another stoppage, for
young Rupert Melvaino met him on the
stairhead.
II say, Clifton, here's joke you should
see Brady trying to propose to Isabel Riv
erton. | have managed to interrupt them
twice since dinner; one time he got as far
as "Lovely Isabcl," and the other as far
as "Loyely Isabel, / am devoted"
"Let me pass, old fellow !" said Clifton;
"Pm in a hurry"
As soon as he got into the drawiug room
he saw that Melyaine had not exaggerated
the position of affairs. Brady was un.
doubtedly anxious to draw Miss Riyerton
from the rest of the company; so anxious
that Clifton instantly OWNED his suspicion
had not been unfounded, that Miss Mel.
yaine had played the traitor, either directly
or through her brother. However, being
resolved to help his friend by every means
IN bis power, Charley stuck closely to
the pair, joking aud punning to an alarm
ing extent, until after many vain endeay-
ors, Capt. Brady, finding he could not get
rid Of him, hastily left the room.
SO far Clifton had effected his purpose
but Il was only halepast eight-thrce.
quarters Of an hour must elapsc before
Mantyle might be expected, He knew
how passionately his friend loved this nc.
complished and ladylike girl, and what an
awful blow It would be IL he lost her. He
must know what Brady was doing, and to
ascertain this, he also quilted the room
few minutes afterwards. As he slowly
assembled the staircase he met the gallant
captain returning A servant passed Cliff.
ton, and Brady stopped the man.
There Is note upon the library table;