Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-09-21

| family were naturally set against me. I
had the mad blood of the Carnes in nv
veins, the Carnes had committed two muir
| ders in their frenzy, and it did not seem to
| them 30 strange that should do the same.
/ I NAV tell you, dear, that this trial through
/ which have passed has not been altogether
without good. The family history had
| weighed on my mind from the time was
child, and at times used to wonder whether
I had madness in my blood, and the fear
grew upon me and embittered nv life.
| Since that trial it has gone forever. I
| knew that If had had the slightest touch
| of insanity in my veins I must have gone
mad in that awful time; and much as I
have suffered from the cloud that rested on
me, am sure that have been far brighter
and happier man since"
A pressure of the hand which he was
holding in his expressed the sympathy that
she did not speak.
What time do you march tomorrow,
Ronald?"
cat 8, dear"
"Could You come round frst?''
II could, Mary, but would rather say
good-by now."
sYou must say good-by now, Ronald, and
again in the morning. Why ask Won is
because I want to tell my father; you don't
mind that, do you? He must know there is
something, because he spoke to-day as If he
would wish it to be as hoped, and should
like him to know how it is with us. You do
not mind. do you?"
''Not at ALL" Ronald said, ''I would
rather that he did know"
"Then I will tell him now" the girl said.
should like to talk it over with him, {" and
she arose. Ronald rose too.
"Good-by, Mary"
"Not like that, Ronald" and she threw
her arms round his neck. "Good-by. NV
dear, my dear. / will always be true to
you to the end of my life. And hope al
ways. 1 cannot believe that you would
have saved me almost by miracle if il had
not been meant that we should one dav he
happy together. God bless you and Keep
you"
There was a Ion kiss, and then Mary
Armstrong turned and ran back to the
hospital.
Father and daughter talked together for
hours after Mary's return. The disappoint-
ment to Mr.. Armstrong was almost as keen
as that felt by Mary. He had from the first
been greatly taken by Harry Blunt. and
had encouraged his coming to the house.
That he was gentleman he was sure. and
he thought he knew enough of character to
be convinced that whatever scrape had
driven him to enlist as q trooper, 1t was not
disgracetul one.
IF Mary fancies this young fellow, she
shall have him, he had said to himself. az
have money enough for us both, and what
good is It 70 me except to see her settled
happily in life?"
After the attack upon the house, when he
was rescued by the party led by Ronald, he
thought still more of the matter, for some
subtle change in his daughters manner con-
vinced him that her heart had been touched.
he had fretted over the fact that after this
Ronald's duty had kept him from seeing
them, and when at last he started on his
journey down to the coast he made mn his
mind, that If when they reached England he
could ascertain for certain Mary's wishes on
the subject, he would himself write a can
tious letter to him, putting it that after the
service he had rendered in saving his lite
and that of his daughter, he did not like the
thought Of his remaining as trooper at the
Cape, and that if he liked to come home he
liked, adding, perhaps that he had special rea.
sons for wishing him to return.
After Ronald's rescue Of his daughter. Mr.
Armstrong regarded it as certainty that his
wish would be realized He was a little sur
out, and it was with view to give him an op-
portunity that he had suggested that Mary
should go out for a stroll on the last evening.
hand in hand His disappointment then had
been keen, for he anticipated with lively pleas
ure the prospect Of paying his debt Of gratitude
to the young man. 1t was with surprise, disap-
pointment and regret, that he listened to
ut is monstrous thing" he said, when she
had finished. MOST monstrous; but don't cry
my dear, 1t w1n all come right presently"
"But how is it to come right fatherf Ha