The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-08-22


preaching made her start, and turning
round she saw, 10 her establishment, Ca
eb Alder.
She was sitting on one OF the green
seats alone Her father, the Colonel, had
strolled little way along the parade to
finish his cigar and buy book at the
library while she waited tor him.
Her annoyance at the approach of her
enemy, as she regarded him, was there
fore assuaged by the certainty that her
father would soon return, and that the
interview could not be long one.
"Good evening, Miss Loveton," said
Caleb Alder in voice which he tried to
render calm, but which showed that he
was under the influence of suppressed
excitement. "Have time to explain to
Won something in regard to Mr.. Ever
sleigh before your father returns ?"
Nelly's heart sank within her with a
fresh recurrence of her presentiment,
but she said bravely:
"What have you to say about Mr..
Eversleigh that you cannot tell me before
my father 2''
Caleb Alder made gesture of indif-
ference.
"It does not matter to me-" he said /;
Though when you know what it is,
fancy that you will be very sorry you
we're so impetuous. 1t is a matter which
effects Frank Eversleigh's life and honor.
Say quickly, for your father is coming
down the path: shall speak before him
or shall | come back with you and the
Colonel to Laurel Cottage and speak to
You alone on the lawn2"
81 will speak to YOU there said N lily,
in a cold, constrained voice, utterly un-
like her own; "after tea will stroll out
upon the lawn and meet you."
She had scarcely finished speaking
when the colonel came strolling down
towards them.
He was a tall finely man oi
abont fifty-6ve, with face all satisfied
now, because the world was using him
well, and be had nothing TO annoy and
irritste him, but it was easy to see thai
If anything occurred 10 rouse him, he
could be heard, unbending, even cruel.
Looking at him, Nelly, though she
loved her father, thought how prudent
she had been not to risk disclosure which
evidently affected so greatly the fate ol
Frank.
She could read 10 every wrinkle of bis
face, even in the calm smile which play
ed around his stern mouth, how little
mercy he would have to expect in that
quarter.
The colonel greeted Caleb Alder Cor
diallv.
Was be not partner IN the bank
where his prospective sonin-law was to
be part master2
They walked along pleasantly chatting
towards Laurel Cottage, Nelly excelling
herself in pleasantly and merry laughter,
though her heart was heavy with the fear
of some coming disaster.
After tea Nelly was the first TO rise.
1.-The wind is freshening and / am go
ing to the gate to see the waves come
in. papa" she said "Mr. Alder, will
You come with me? / know papa is
anxious 10 look at the new book he has
bought, and he can spare you for half
an hour"
At any other time the voice and the
manner would have brought j)y to Ca
! leh's heart.
! But he knew well that sue was only
acting part. that she was going 10 put
up with his society in order to learn the
danger that threatened her beloved
Frank.
The colonel merely laughed.
"Hs! going to worm out news of
Frank p he cried "All right, Caleb; l
will trust you to Nelly for half an hour,
and then-cribbage. You disappointed
me last time. and as you have come so
unexpectedly from London, l claim
I you"
"Certainly, colonel said Caleb.
"Come, Miss Loveton, am ready"
Within five minutes they were stand
ing at the little gate, from which they
could see the sea rolling in it's waves in
great surges on the beach, under the iE-
huence of the freshening breeze.
At another time she could have stood
there and gazad with delight upon the
scene-the wide voiceful ocea1, the ships
scudding before the wind, the white,
named billows rolling, rising, rolling,
falling, and breaking in mirthful monot-
ony on the shifting pebbles.
Blu. now she was eager for but one
thing, all her senses were concentrated
upon one hope: that the news that was
coming to her of Frank was not as had
as her aching heart forewarned her to
expect.
"Now, Mr.. Alder" she said, with cold
earnestness, "mv whole heart is Franks,
and anything you have to say of him
shall listen 10 with eagerness "
THIS was plain admonition to him
not to speak again of his own mad pas
sion.
Caleb recognized its meaning, and
WINGED
But he was armed at all points, and
said in a low tone of pain:
"Miss Loveton, hope, at least. when
you know all, that you will tell me that
l am, at least, entitled to your gratitude
for not speaking Of the matter to the
colonel am, in fact, putting myself
in strange position by doing Frank q
service at all, seeing that l am partner
In the bank, and be is positively in ny
employment at present. But l trust in
your honor; were you to betray me, the
consequences would recoil bitterly on
Franks head"
"You need not threaten me, Mr. Al
der" said Nelly, proudly. II will not
betray you"
"WeI, you must listen to me carefully,
and suffer the pain nv words will give
you," sail Caleb, "for am going to tell
you the truth, hard as it is. In the first
rlacc. Frank is in terrible trouble, and
this is how it came about:
"The other night, as l was walking
, along the pine-wood near the lodgings
where Frank Eversleigh stopped while
be was staying at Oeepsea, saw him
/ accosted by rough-looking man, who
, talked to him in what / imagined :
threatening voice.
I 81 make no excuses for my conduct
e Frank Eversleigh is my rival, and l lis
tened
=. INK