Mexico weekly ledger., 1879-02-13
Harold Tracy smiled. He had
oreseen the storm, and had provided

Harold Tracy smiled. He had
foreseen the storm, and had provided
for it.
''Miss Carson" said he, sswill YOU
allow me to be your legal adviser in
this emergency"
She nodded assent.
''Then," continued he, ssI would
respectfully request this company to
withdraw"
Silently they obeycd him, and soon
he was alone with Kate.
s'Miss Carson" said he, stthe
time has come in which to test the
sincerity of Guy Livingstone's pro-
testations. l am sure that you will
bless this calamity, if it reveals his
heart in its true light. AS for me,
my duty calls me to your fathers
side. / must hasten now to catch
the midnight train. Goodnight
He left the room, donned his hat
and sailed forth into the night.
AS he passed out of the park the
sound of human voices struck his
ears. He recognized Guys voice
and drew near to listen.
81 love her," Guy was saying to
his confederate; .'but marriage is
out of the question now. She is in
fatuated with me, and / would wish
for nothing more than to rob her of
her virtue. sip the honey of her
charms, and leave the dregs to that
pedantic rival of mine, Harold Ira
cy."
'You can do so," answered the
other villain ''arrange a mock mar
riage. 1 will officiate as clergyman"
They sauntered away and Harold
heard no more.
''Villains," he Indignantly ex-
claimed; II will foil your plans.
must hasten to release Mr.. Carson
and inform him of the danger menac-
ing his daughter.
The next day Mr.. Carson was re-
leased on bail, and Harold told him
as briefly as possible of the dastardly
attempt about to be made on his
daughters honor.
Anxiously the father and lover has.
tened to the villa. 1t was dead night
when they arrived. Eagerly Mr..
Carson sought Kate's chamber. 1t
was empty-the pair had flownl
100 late-too late !" shrieked the
unhappy father.
One of the servants noticed the de-
parture, and pointed out the direc-
ton the carriage had taken. The
next moment the parent and lover
were mounted on the swiftest steeds,
and had started In hot pursuit.
When Guy whispered his plan of
secret marriage to Kate, she at first
started back in horror. But he gave
such ardent proofs of his at
tachments, he detailed such CO.
gent reasons for the step. and
so appealed to the romantic nature of
our fair heroine, that she ct last trem-
blingly assented. When all had re-
tired to rest, carriage containing
the villain and his victim, whom he
was ruthlessly about to deprive of
woman's priceless jewel, was driven
rapidly away.
We will not dwell upon the throes
of fear, doubt, hesitation and remorse
that were agitating Kate's breast.
When they arrived at their destina-
ton, a lonely country mansion, Guy
had to lift her from the carriage.
She was almost in a fainting condi-
ton.
Fear nothing, darling" whisper
ed he, as he led her into the presence
of the pretended clergyman, who
stood ready to go through the mock
cry of the holiest of Heavens ordi-
nances.
The ceremony was rapidly gone
through.
They did not dare arouse Kate's
suspicion by any omissions.
SIS there any one," inquired the
masked villain, "who has aught to
say why this couple should not be
united?' e.
II have" shouted Mr.. Carson,
suddenly entering and leveling the
false minister to the ground with a
blow.
"And II" exclaimed Harold,
catching Kate to his bosom and pre-
senting pistol at Guys head.
The plot was defeated, the villains
bound, and the next day handed over
to the care of the law, who meted
out to them the punishment they de-
served. U g
Six months later Harold led Kate
to the altar. All the romantic and
sentimental in her nature was erased
Ivy the scene through which she
had passed. Mr.. Carson looks at
the loss of his fortune as q blessing
of Providence, and finds his greatest
happiness in watching the progress,
upward and onward, of the success
full lawyer, his son-in-law, Harold
Tracy.