The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-11-01

many blows OF late that seem to be In q
species of dazo tho while but if it is your
intention to push the dastardly act in
which you were engaged on that night
when l was saved at the last minute from
your wolfish power by the bravery of the
only true friend had left, then will tell
/ you 1t can never be-"
She spoke calmly, and in manner that
carried the conviction Of her firmness,
but the only result was to cause the
usually cool Captain to grow excited.
! He could not bear to be ballied in any,
! thing, and the idea of this puny girl
eluding the trap he had SO neatly set for
her was enough to completely demor-
alize him.
''Say not so, Carol Do you not know
that your fathers wishes are bound up in
this affair? hold dreadful secret over
/ his head, and, should lot it fall, he is 81
ruined man, not financially, 1 do not
mean that, but in the eyes Of tho law he
becomes felon."
"a felon?'
| "Yes, a felOn; q murderer
"Oh, my Godr what is this you are
telling me. 1t cannot be; it cannot be-
Capt. Grant, if you had the heart of a
man, you would never persecute poor
girl In this way. You will drive me to de-
spair," she walled.
"On the contrary, it Is you who will
drive me to despair. You have bewitched
me by your beauty until would risk tho
torments of hell itself to win you. Why
not yield to fate? Surely you can struggle
but little longer. Come, give me fair
answer, Carol"
"Can you not be merciful, sir2 My
father has never wronged you; why
bring him into the matter? Why did you
not WOO mo as other men might, and
Heaven decreed that it should not b.
accept the decree with fortitude."
Because" he replied, with sneer. 'I
saw the game was too well decided when
l came, and that only by some super
human agency could you be saved from
throwing yourself away on that william Of
a Roger Darrell"
''Hush, sir; do not bring him into the
present matter"
81 would that he had never been in 1t,
and then all might have been plain sail
ing for me. Come, girl, your answer"
''It is easily given. Onco before / came
near yielding to your wishes, because OF
q false idea Of duty toward my father.
Thank Heaven was saved from the pit
by one who knew far better than the
wrong that was being put upon me.
Since then 1 have found my mother and
learned her story. still love my father
and would do much for him, but 1 can
not, will not, make the sacrifice of my
life, my honor, my happiness, for the
sake OF the man who sent his innocent
wife from him, and has since braved
Heaven ITSELF
"You have my answer, sir. What
more can l say to make 1t stronSer2
Your wife can never be. I do not look
for happiness in the future, but do claim
q woman's right to live at least in peace.
Go from me, then, Capt. Grant, and as
you deal with my poor father may God
so deal with you. 1 am a heart-broken
woman, and all I ask Is for peace and
rest.
"Those you shall find with me, Carol.
Girl, did 1 not tell you I had sworn to
make you my wife? Though the heavens
fall, that shall be so. What sense Is
there in thus fighting against your des-
tiny! Mine you are, and mine you shall
be. and defy man or angel to come be-
tween"
He had seized her wrist In an iron clasp,
and his eyes were fastened upon hers
with the fascinating glare of serpent's.
She seemed charmed, powcrless to move,
and could only look into his sclntiIlating
orbs and shudder.
''Hands off, you villaini'
Tho voice was not that of man, and
dropping the wrist of Carol, Capt Grant
turned like lightning to the spot from
whence it came. Then cry fell from
his lips-the cry of baffled conspirator
almost driven to the wall:
barbara Merriles, by all the flends !"
he gasped.