The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-05-21

/ had given to his clerk to mail that Tues
day evening. The money had of course
been distracted, the envelope having
been carefully opened at one end, and it
still contained the note that accompanied
the money sasM9a3 asgsGgt9 n
'Never know of such thing BEFORE
though Mr. Morton, as herode homeward.
''Through this piece of rascaiity I have
turned off Forsythe. Wish knew where
he was is. It did look suspicious,
though" trying to ease his conscience,
that told him he had been rash. .1.-
Veronica Morton made q lovely picture
as she sat under the subdued gaslight in
in, her warm, bright sitting room, idly
dreaming over a volume in crimson and
gold that contrasted with the lily white
ness of her dimpled hand. A rarely beau
tiful girl of eighteen, with eyes contain
ing unbelievable depths Of womanly
tenderness and truth, rich, cream tinted
complexion, that deepened gradually into
vivid color on her cheek; a mouth sweet,
lovable and firm, and form of exquisite
proportions, attired in closely-fitting
dress OF maroon silk.
Footsteps in the hall and, 90, papa,
you've come; you're later than usual"
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
its bright silver and dainty china.
"What is the mattea, papa?" asked his
daughter, nothing that he looked unusu-5
ally thoughtful. '' b.
He hesitated a moment, then told her
of his Dismissal Of Byron Forsythe and
the. finale. A look Of intense sympathy
overspread her face.
80, papa, how dreadfully he must have
felt to be so unjustly suspected. I saw
him a few times. He looked too good
and noble to do anything mean. Don't
you think you can find him?'
! ~ am afraid not, dear; but am going
to do what can" @'a
And when Veronica laid her head on
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. "- <I
| She had never guessed that the vision
of radiant loviliness that had appeared
once or twice in her fathers dusky Office,
in jaunty hat and velvet, was 1ndelibly
engraven on, the memory Of Byron For
sythe, high-spirited, well-born as she, and
that he cursed the poverty that forbade
him to try to win the prize he coveted.
Mr.. Morton's inquiries for him proved
fruitless, and the world wagged on. *
The crowds on the thronged sidewalks
stopped and held their breath teams and
tournouts tried to clear the way as a run
away horse came galloping down Ire
mont street, champing his bits and foam
ing. The driver, who was slightly intoxi-
Gated, had completely lost control of him.
There was no one brave enough to attempt
the rescue, and the carriage was in mo
mentary danger OF being overturned,
when some one leaped from the crowd
caught at the bride OF the excited animal.
and chung to him with desperate grip.
He was dragged along short distance,
getting terribly bruised, and then others
came 10 the rescue, and he was taken up
insensible from the feet of the horse that
stood painting and steaming, but con-
quered. The occupants of the carriage
were lady and gentleman, whose white
faces showed the terrible fright they had
experienced. Ill.,,
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" .... -.....-
my God" exclaimed Mr.. Norton
for il was he and Veronica-as they placed
him ON the soft cushions. sit is Byron
Fcrsythe!'' .,-....-- ~,
For the terrified lovely face of Veronica
Morton, beside her father in the open car
rage, had caught the eye of Byron For
sythe, and in an instant he had flung him
self between her and terrible danger.
&c." said Veronica, with little cry of
terror as she recognized the face. "Have
we killed him?" f.,
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 consciousness.
No prince could have been tended more
carefully than he, lying in a darkered
chamber, whose rich, soft carpet muffled
every sound. He had skilled nurse, bat
Veronica herself often soothed his restless
ness. In spite of careful nursing, brain
fever ensued. His wild rawlings of unjust
suspicion and hopeless love, chilled the
hearts o. his listeners. Veronica prayed
that he might live to know his innocence
had been proved, and her father, who had
just come from the borders of death,
longed for reason to return, that he might
atone to the sensitive soul for the injustice.
The boon was granted. One afternoon he
opened his eyes to see Veronica's lovely
face bending over him, not radiant and
animated as he had seen it, but suffused
with tender sympathy. is
"You here? Where am I? 1t was
your father who suspected me Of" he
said, weakly. 'Ea,
"Can you forgive me, my boy! 1 was
hasty. l proved your innocence long
ago. Will you give me your hand?" said
Mr.. Morton, who stood there. 4 I 20.
"You almost gave your life for ours, =
said Veronica, in faltering tone, reach
ing out her hand also, which he carried