Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-05-17

covered their faces in horror as tliSy
 heard his fearful words.
 Surely, the man is mad! whispered
 Zelda Carson, Q lovely young lady Of the
 brunette type of beauty, to her compan- ions, two charming Boston girls, who had
 been her guests for several days.
 have used harsh words," said Noel,
 who now stood as still as statue in the centre of the room, unmindful of the fact that he had been ordered to quit the house, "but they ape not too severe. It was your nephew, Clarence, that caused the trouble at the mill today"
 That Philip Carson could bear to listen to so much was surprise; but something | tn Noers tone compelled his attention. l And who are you that dares to tell me this? ?" asked the President of the Grims- | by Steel Works.
 "Is it possible you don't know me ? Ah' well it's no wonder. I scarce know | myself in my dismal plight. But there was time in the history of Grimsby when Philip Carson would be able to recognize Noel Edwards" Great heavens! Noel, can this be you T." exclaimed Mir. Carson, starting back in astonishment. "And what is the mean. Ing or this disguise ?"
 The meaning of this disguise, MT. Car son, is that am blind, and am here to say that your nephew caused the acci- dent that made me blind. Hesa murder. CT! l saw it all in my room. see it now!"
 You cannot mean thisi How could Clarence cause the accident? Your own injury has turned your brain, and you imagine wild things"
 You think me harsh, Mir. Carson, but ii you had lost your eyes, you would not consider your millions worth much, or your life either."
 Noel's manner was calmer as he said these words than it had been since he entered the Carson mansion, and MT. Carson who was a man of kind heart. was touched deeply by the old mans severe aff1iction. Accordingly the Iron King reconstructed gently with Noel, telling him that he was very indiscreet to venture out on such a mission in his present condition, and that he ought to be under the care of a doctor.
 II will have you taken home in my carriage" said MT. Carson, "and under the care of your family and a skillfu] physician, trust you will speedily re. cover and forget your present delu. sion."
 It is no delusion, sir" said Noel, "I came here to accuse your nephew of bis crime" The voice of the speaker was growing louder, and it was evident to MT. Carson that he was becoming much excited again.
 Be patient, man," said Mir. Carson. laying his hand in friendly way on Noels shoulder, "and let me send you home in my carriage"
 "Tm patient, sir," said Noel, still trem. bling with excitement, land I will go, but not ill your carriage"
 The blind man stretched forth hil hands as if trying to find the door, then suddenly raising them above his head, he exclaimed in a wild paroxysm:
 II see it all again! The flaming con verter, the flash of molten steel, the face of Clarence Carson as he stoops to do the dreadful deed. Great heavens man stop! Don't destroy every life in the mill"
 Noel Edwards trembled like leaf in breeze during this ordeal.
 Philip Carson was spell-bouud, and the group of girls stood at the door looking on with white and frightened faces.
 "I knew the man was mad," whispered Zelda to her companions.
 'Au is dark again!" continued Noel "and hear the voices of the dying ac cusing Clarence Carson of the fearful crime"
 But what motive could my nephew hova tor describe" asked MT. Carson, who was pained and puzzled over Noers strange hallucination.
 "Revenge!" answered Noel, whose head was now bow ed low and who seem. | ed very much exhausted as the result ot his exertions.
 Revenge on whom?"
 "On Ned Newcomb," said Noel.
 "1t's a lie !" shouted a voice in the hall l way, and Clareoce Carson, whose face l was livid with rage, rushed at the blind l man and would have struck him down | but that President Carson caught the up | raised arm and warded off q tremendous | blow.
 Its lie," said Noel, you destroyed | the steel mill and killed the men because you wanted to take Ned Newcsmbi life."
 And tell you again it's false," hissed Carson, who had evidently been drinking. But I've had my revenge to-. night in seeing your prudish daughter and her lout of a lover perish together in the flood near the old bridge"
 Murderer :. I don't believe youl" ex. claimed Noel, but he had no sooner said these words than Clarence Carson rushed at him with clenched fist. Zelda Carson, to the soul with pity for the blind mans sad condition, threw herself between him and her heartless cousin, and the blow that was intended for Noel str1lck her in the face, causing the beau- tiful girl to fall stunned and bleeding on the floor. ...
 It needed no blow to strike down Noel. Young Carson's declaration that he had ,een Edith and Ned Newcomb perish to- gether in the flood, seemed to recall the blind man to his senses, and the false strength that had buoyed him up during ais wild, feverish frenzy forsook him, md he staggered and fell heavily upon he floor near Mir CarSOns feet