Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1879-09-03

approached, anu tOucDeO DIS nat 10
Ernest. 1t was his own cOachmau,
an old and faithful servant who
had been coachman to Ernest's
father.
"Beg your pardon, Mr.. Ernest,
for coming up here without leave,
but have you seen the mistress,
siri,
"No. What do you meanr
"Well, sir, she drove to the sta.
ton after you lett, sir, and she
seemed 80 wild like and unaccount.
able that made bold to follow her
for fear she might come to harm;
and | followed her here sir, where
she changed dress for widows
weeds, and got into the Brighton
train, sir, with Captain Potter"
Ernest turned pale and tainted.
lie recovered himself with great
effort.
81 know he cried, 81 sent her TO
Brighton, and have Just seen her of.
How dare you follow your mis-
tress STRIP
The man turned away in blank
dismay.
Ernest said Constance, Two
have both been deceived
"Stui,- said Ernest, ait was .
trick We played you, that's all; We
found out the plot, and counter
plotted to save you"
But still there was terrible doubt
at his heart. What could it all
meant
"Come into the waiting room,
Constance" he cried, "and let US
talk. All, what misery!" lie mutter.
ed to himself.
They turned into a waiting room,
and Ernest threw himself upon q
seat, leaned his arm upon the table
and groaned.
"What do you intend to do, Err.
estf' said Constance, clutching him
by the arm. ut ia all very we'll to
tell your servant such stories l
admire you for it, Ernest; but I
know better. 1t ia deliberately
planned. We are both deceived"
at is impossible" said Ernest.
"How blind you are" said Con.
stance. 81 always mistrusted
Theresa; she was my early friend,
you remember, and l believe that
Potter used to come to our house on
purpose to see her, using me "a q
blind. Oh, Ernest, what shall we doi"
81 shall have special train and
follow them,' cried Ernest.
.Then | will 60 with yOu," cried
Constance.
"Ernest!' said decisive, feminine
voice at his elbow.
He turned, and beheld his wife
and Capt. Potter.
"IIullo!' cried Potter. "Ernest,
my boy, how are youi Cad, I've
got into pretty mess with all this
ambuscading; wrong party after all,
jolly row, pull the string, stop tho
train-Clapham Junction, guard in
awful rage. Give us into custody,
Ell! Ha, ha! Here we are again,
back first train. say, old fellow,
III just change widows with you"
"Come into the waiting ROOM"
cried Black, sand tell inc what it
all means. Potter, consider you
an unprincipled fellow to inv eigle
this young lady into such trap.
You know you only want to waste
her fortune as you've wasted your
own
"Gently, old fellow said Potter,
"all mistake. My uncle died last
week and lett me three thousand Q
year"
"Then why do you make OF in
this clandestine wayT
ats all right, Black, 1 assure
you. I've got special license in
my pocket, parson waiting at Brigh-
ton. We're both of age, you know"
"Then why all this disguisei7
"Oh, that was my DOING sobbed
Constance. al was 90 dreadfhlly
afraid of papa"
"And how did you get the widows
things, Constancei'
"F-frOm-your-Aunt Blake.
1t wasn't very wicked, was itf'
~ think" said Theresa, who had
recovered her equanimity and her
usual aspect Of proud serenity, 81
think, Constance, you had better
como back to Shrublands with me,
and he married in respectable, or.
derby way
And they settled that 90 II should
be. They all went back to Shrub
lands, and Constance Was married
the newt week, not in the widows
weeds, but in full bridal costume,
with several bridesmaids.
ernest" said Theresa, affection
ately, when it w0s all over, "l1l
never be jealous again, bat for ell