The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-09-01
CHAPTER XVIII.
IRFCEIvF Ny ooNar.


Absorbed as | was In nv newly-awaken-
ed love for Madeline, | failed to notice for
some time the changes which were going on
about us; but was soon brought from dream
land by the attitude which the young mas
ter chose TO take.
1t soon became clear to me that his resent
ment, from whatever source it sprung, was
leyeled against me; and in a short time dis
covered that the innocent cause OF all these
eruotions was Madeline herself.
George Redruth had made up his mind 10
WOO Madeline Graham, and he honored me
so far as to fear that my presence in st. Cur
lofts might be the means of preventing him
winning his cousins hand. A marriage with
Madeline would be advantageous to him,
principally because his own position was be-
coming very insecure. he having gambled
and bet away most of his fortune. and so be-
ing in danger of losing the position which
her money would restore to him. Thus Il
was that he watched the growing friendship
between myself and his cousin with ever in
creasing anger; and finding he could not
openly control her, he determined, l after
ward learned, to gain his ends by treachery.
II was not TO these things, however, which
/ was able at this time to give my entire
thoughts; other and more painful matters
occurred which for time drove the young
master from my mind.
At home things were going very badly
with US. My uncle remained in the same
Responding state, while every day fresh
wrinkles appeared in my aunt's face-the
tears were often wet upon her cheek. 1t
seemed a sin for me 10 be happy while so
much grief remained at home; and l some
times felt inclined to go right away and not
rufr 4 locs a1f
with me.
began to wonder, too, If my uncle could
be right when he said that the new overseer
had hand in poor Annie's downfall. 1t was
strange, but since the night of Annie's dis
appearance Johnson's face had not been
seen in st. GurlOtts. I was pondering over
solution of all these mysteries when one
day an event happened which threatened to
bring matters TO a climax indeed.
| had come up from the mine after pro-
longed inspection of il, and stood at the en-
trance, blinded with taIlow and droppings,
when suddenly | heard a wild sound of
voices, and looking round | saw two men
face each other, and looking as If they were
about to close in deadly grip. One of the
men was my uncle, the other was johnson,
the overseer.
At sight of the man whom he believed to
be his btterest foe, all my uncle's feeb eness
seemed to fall miraculously from him. He
lowered above the other, and raised his
clinched fist as If to strike.
You vilIainw he cried, "Yop cowardly,
treacherous villainl Tell me, whar is my
lass? Tell me, or, by the Lawd, l strike 'ee
dead before me"'
In another moment the arm would have
descended, for johnson was paralyZed with
foo hfffT I ri -uA
with cry. Ny uncle tried TO wrench him.
self free.
Let gaw, Hugh! - he cried. fercely. Il
told ZEE what I'd do II met the villain, and
I'll do Z Look at 'un, the white-faced cur;
he brought trouble TO my lassl And nav,
while she's wanderin' about the earth In
misery maybe, he cooms var 10 laugh at what
he's dawnv'
still held him firmly; and johnson, cur
that he was, seeing that the danger was pass
ed, recovered his presence of mud.
Perhaps, now you're a little calmer," ne
said. you'll tell me what you're raying
aboutg'
81 will answer for him, / replied "Where
Is Annie PendragOng'
He shrugged his shoulders, and raised his
brows.
1T seems to me you are all raying lunatics
together. Why do you ask me these things?
What do know of the girls
You are supposed to have enticed her
from her home You were seen with her in
Falmouth. and you must know where she
Is"
Il don't know where she is l met her in
Falmouth, it's true, and spoke to her: but
her being away from home was no concern
o. mine"
sIts lier' cried my uncle. fiercely; and
again he tried to free himself from my grasp,
but held him firmly.
Its no suse," said; I'VE sha'n't mend
matters with him We must find out By
some other means whether or not he ID
speaking the truth"
The result of all this was q serious illness.
which laid my uncle low. and for some weeks
threatened his life During this time Ma,ie-
line came frequently to the cottage, accom-
panied by Anita, who carried little tempting
things for the poor old man to eat At last
the terrible time passed, and he rose from
his bed-the feeble worn-out wreck OF his
old self.
FrTm that day forth his intellect seemed
shaken, but he chung with strange persist
ence to the one idea, that johnson was In
some way responsible for all that had taken
place. i had my own reasons for refusing
| to share this belief :zhevertheless saw the
overseer again, and after the interview with
| him, became more firmly convinced than
ever that my uncle was wrong in his sur
misses. II johnson had hand In Annie s
| flight, he was not the real wrong-doer. 1
still suspected George Redruth. though as
| yet had been unable to obtain absolute
proof OF bis guilt -
Meantime, having seen my uncle On -
| high rad 70 recovery. was compeiIeo esst 1sse
/ more to turn my attention % the m,ns'' hsS
srs,.e.s q ~ l1sster az fhess dangers aks.1 y.
| ~ SrsIS Sn.l IS HI hfen - ne92 -
~ eSHs - - 49, 1E9sza s u = s'7