Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-09-05

der hands
My dear fellow" said ''you are talk
ing riddles. ST down and tell me calmly
what has happened. But, first of all, as you
look utterly worn out, will ring for my
man to = ct You some food"
"No, " he said, "a want NOTHING. Weary
i am, for | have been to Scotland and back
as fast as man can travel. | reached Lon
don short time ago, and after seeing one
man have come straight to you, my old
friend, for help-it may be for protection.
But l have eaten and have drunk, know
ing | must keep my health and strength"
However, | Insis ed upon some wine being
brought. He drank a glass, and then, with
a strange, enforced calm, told me what had
taken place His tale was this:
After we had parted company on our return
from Scotland, Carrlston went down to the
family seat in Oxfordshire and inf )rmed his
uncle of the impending change in his life.
The baronet, an extremely old man. intirm
and all but chldish, troubled little about the
matter. Every acre of bis large property
was strictly entailed, so his pleasure or dis
pleasure could make but little altei alton in
his nephew's prospects Still, he was the
head of the family, and Carriston was in
duty bound to make the important news
known to HIM. Tie young man made no
secret of his approaching marriage so in a
very short time every member of he family
was aware that the heir and future head was
about to ally himself to a nobody. Know
ing nothing Of Madeline Rowan's rare beauty
and sweet nature, Carristons kinsmen and
kinswomen were sparlng with their congrat-
ulations. Indeed, Mr.. Ralph Carriston, the
cousin whose name was coupled with such
absurd suspicious, went so far as to write a
IN. latt. f,,n .
tation. This and Charles Carriston's naughty
reply, did not make the affection between
the cousins any stronger. Moreover, short
ly afterward the younger man heard that
inquiries were being made in the neghbor-
hood of Ma1elnes home As to her posi-
ton and parentage. Feeling sure that only
his cousin Ralph could have had the curios-
ity TO institute such inquiries. he wrote and
thanked him for the keen interest he was
manifestug in his future welfare but
begged that hereafter Mr.. Carriston would
apply to him direct for any information he
wanted. The two men were now no longer
on speaking terms.
Charles Carriston, in bis present frame of
mind, cared little whether his relatives
wished TO bless or forbid the banns He was
passionately in love, and at once set about
making arrangements foI a speedy marriage
Although Madeline was still ignorant of the
exalted position held by her lover-although
she came to him absolutely penniless, hs was
resolved in the matter of money to treat her
as generously as he would have treated the
most eligible damsel in the country There
were several legal questions to be set at
rest concerning certain property he wished
to settle upon her. The OF course caused
delay. As soon as they were al justed to his
own, or, rather, to his lawyers satisfaction.
he purposed going to Scotland and carrying
away his beautiful bride. In the meantime
he cast about for a residence.
Somewhat Bohemian in his nature Carris-
ton had no intention of settling down Just
yet to live the life of an ordinary moneyed
Englishman. His intention was to take
Madeline abroad for some months He had
fixed upon Cannes as a desirable place at
which to winter, Out having grown some
what tired of hotel life. wished to rent a
furnished house. He had received from an
agent to whom he had been advised TO apply
the refusal of house, which, from the glow
ing description given, seemed the one above
all Others he wanted As an early decision
was insisted upon. my inlpulsive young
friend thought nothing of crossing the chan
mel and running down to the south of France
70 see with his own eyes that the much
who was to be its temporary mistress.
He wrote to Madeline and told her he was
going from home for few DAYS He said
he should be travelling the greatest part Of
the time. SO it would be NO use her writing
to him until his return. He did not reveal
the object of his journey. We're Madeline
to know 1t was to choose a winter residence
at Cannes, she would be filed with amaze
ment, and the Innocent deception he was
still Keeping up would not be carried
through TO the romantic end which he pic
turo1 10 himself
The day before he started for France,
Madeline wrote that her aunt was very
unwell, but said nothing as to her malady
causing any alarm. Perhaps Carriston
thought less about the old Scotch widow
than her relationship and kindness to Miss
Rowan merited. He started on his travels
without any forebodings of evil
His journey to Cannes and back was hgr