The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-11-08
BY FATE
A Thrilling Virginia Romance.
BY EMMA S. SOUTHWORTH.
Copyright 1888. by Laird h Lee.
CHAPTER XXIv. Continued.

"You are right, Carol, the girl is mad.
1t seems to me every one almost has gone
crazy of late Only the other day 1 was
forced into duel by an unknown party
who proclaimed herself my wife and
called herself Nora Warner, and declared
1 was Roger Darrell. 1 wish 1 was, de-
clare; then would go and hang myself
for having injured so many people and
caused them to curse my namer'
She buried her face in her hands as
though she could not bear to hear him
TAX so of the one she loved so we'll.
Nothing could cause her to doubt Roger
again, but at the same time she was now
placed in a position where she dare not
think of him lest doubts should creep into
her mind, and at the same time it served
to keep her from guessing the truth.
Strange that Rogers words did not oc-
cur to her. I'VE shall meet once more,
and when you see me as the man 1 am,
and not in the guise of villain who
chances to belong to my family and bear
my name, then perhaps you will deign to
offer me your forgiveness"
Had she but thought of these all would
have been WELL but not daring to let her
mind rest upon the subject, she knew
not how close she had been to a solution
of the terrible secret.
Capt. Grant. seeing he had the upper
hand, kept on.
81 have searched far for you, Carol.
but at last 1 have found you. Will you
go back with me?"
All at once there flashed across the
mind of the young girl thought of the
past, and the actions of this man toward
her. He had acted as no gentleman
would or should act and she now recoiled
from him as if from an adder.
"Leave me, SIR" she cried. "I would
return to my mother, the only one left
for me to love-the only one"
''Oh, say not so, Carol" he exclaimed,
passionately. 81 will confess that 1 be-
gan this suit without much love, as a man
Of the world, but I found in you woman
worth winning and have grown to love
you madly. Say that may have some
hope; oh, give me but the faintest hope
and l will cling to it as a shipwrecked
mariner would to u plank that had been
thrown within his reach. l knew not
chat you dislied me, else l would never
have used my influence with your father
to hasten our marriage. Forgive me for
tine past, Carol, and give me a grain of
hope for the future. With your love
should be able to do much in this world !;
without it feel like rudderless vessel,
difting at the mercy Of fate"
His words were eloquent, his acting of
the very finest order, for he saw what he
believed to be good chance, and, as
Carol was separated from her lover, hoped
o catch her heart in the rebound; but
she half-fathomed his motives and shrank
from him as though he were q spirit of
evil.
II can never be moro to you than I am
now, Capt. Grant My heart is too sore
to think of love. Leave me in peace to
return to my mother," she said, slowly.
His face famed and fierce light shone
in his eye. 1t seemed as though he was
tempted just then to carry her off, even
against her will, but on second thought
he dismissed the idea.
''As you will, Miss Richmond; your
word is law to me. Good-by until we
meet again." and he vanished in the di.
rection the glpsy girl had gone.