The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-08-29
CHAPTER VI.
FACE TO FACE ONCE MORE.

HACE III FhCh ONCE mOhEs
Four years had elapsed and the Lom-
bard street mystery was no nearer its
solution than ever.
The once grand hank OF Craddock q
Co had collapsed through continuous
deialcations and forgeries. 1t had been
wound up. and Sir John had only saved
enough ou, Of The wreck 10 keep him in
bare comfort, while the Colonel had lost
nearly everything in the bank where he
bad placed all his savings.
The Deepsea Cottage was still kept
on, but the old soldier, overwhelmed by
his losses, was but shadow of his for
mer self. watched over, tenderly and un-
reproachfully, by guardian angel 10
whose pale face and listless ways it wa,
difficult indeed to recogniz, bright, radi-
ant Nelly Loveton.
For all her hopes in life were gone.
The ship in which Frank had sailed had
foundered in d-Atlantic, and all hands
reported lost; and now, mourning him
as a widow would her husband that she
dearly loved. she only looked forward to
the time when death should claim her,
too, ard bear her to the one who had
been the idol, the king of her heart.
And Caleb Alder?
He was well anil prosperous. He had
had tidings of the crash and sold out ere
it came, and often and often would he
intrude bis ioathesome presence into the
cottage. where he was always welcomed
by the Colonel, while even the memory
OF poor Frank was tab,oed as il it were
thing of horror.
Every one in Deepsea seemed-wi,
the exception Of the Colonel-to dislike
this mas and to pity the gentle. pale and
sad-eyed girl whom he still prosecuted
by his proffered affection, and many also
we're those who cursed the day which
had brought such terrible misfortuDes
upon her and upon the one whom she
had so dearly loved.
1t was balmy evening in August
just such an evening as that on which
we introduced Nelly to our readers, when
she took her way to her fav0rite seat
where she had so often met with Frank
She was gszing dreamily at the tiny
waves which came with monotonous
rushiHes up. over the pebbles, nearly TO
her feet, when voice startled her the
old, hated voica-,hat OF Caleb Alrier
He expected her 10 rise and walk
away she did not; she only gaz,d upon
him with quiet, calm contempt.
Good evening, Miss Loyeton," he
said. 81 am glad to have met you in
your favorite haunt alone, for wish to
refer to subject which for some time
has not been opened between US. ! told
you long since that my love for you was
thing which would last ny life, and"
"Why reopen the subject at all p she
said with calm contempt.
because Miss Loveton," he said ca
gerly. II bave reason to believe that you
will no longer refuse. If your love tGr
Frank Eversleigh was true, you will not,
l am sure."
Nelly became interested at once.
"Explain yourself, prsy," she said in
that calm, cold voice which had become
part of her nature now, "you really
amuse me-"
II shall do more than amuse you pres
ently," said Caleb in quiet tone of con-
6dence. II say again, without any pre-
fix. that l offer you my hand and nv
heart, and that if you consent l will
place in your hands the absolute proof
of Franks innocence. If you respect
his memory you should make any sacri-
| fee to clear bis name before the world"
As he spoke there came over her
cheeks bright flush and into her eyes a
lovesliglft which had long been stran-
ger to them:
"You reckon rightly, Mr.. Alder" she
said "!f you gave me such promise q: