The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-09-27
BY FATE
A Thrilling Virginia Romance.
BY EMMA S. SOUTHWORTTI.
Copyright 1888. by Laird h Lee.
BY EMMA S. soUTHWoRTH.
Copyright 1888. by Laird h Lee
CHAPTER V.-Continued.

drew, conspiracy had boon formed, and
The plot was no Insignificant one, either.
When Carol assumed her bridal robes
she looked too sweet and sad for mortal
eyes, and even the heart of the fierce old
man throbbed with half-pity, when she
directed look at him, as II in muto en-
treaty.
He had hoped against hopo. and now
only anger and despair reigned In his
heart. There was no chance OF rescue
left now, it seemed to him, and the sacri-
flee must go on, though 1t cut him to the
heart to see his darling child welded to
such desperate villain as he know the
Captain to be.
Tho minister who was to perform the
ceremony was particular friend Of
Capt. Grants, and having been already
primcd by several glasses Of hot punch,
he would not have hesitated about uniting
q man in the holy bonds OF wedlock to
his mother-in-law or own aunt.
Being in the condition now that seemed
necessary for his business, no scruples
would ever prevent him from accomplish
ing the desired end, and 1t could be set
down as fact that he would do his part
of the work. at any ratio.
From the open window o pair Of keen
eyes watched all that was transpiring.
Though many years indeed had passed
away since he had set eyes on the interior
of the Terrace, Roger did not seem to
forget certain things about the mansion,
with which he had been familiar at that
time, and, from among tho vines outside
.he little balcony, ho could observe with
out being himself soon.
Not twenty yards away the swiftest
horse In all tho surrounding country was
in waiting. hidden by the trees.
Roger DarrePs was not tho only form
crouched at window and looking on, for
Il man, dressed in black, and with cer-
tain foreign air about him, was at one OF
thcso opening upon tho piazza. and his
eyes We're glued upon Capt. Grant with
cold gloam in them, whilo from his mus
tachcd lips fell tho words:
AT last have run him DOWN.
The ceremony commenced.
1t was dostinod never TO go through,
and yet not through this mysterious for
cigner, who appeared 10 have such an at
IOt IhC 6OlulCI-ouC416L, ChLllC
any interruption.
From the easy attitude he had assumed,
it was oasy to see that he intended watch
ing it through.
"One wife more cannot hurt the rogue,
for he has already had ut least ten, 80 far
as my knowledge OF him goes. As for
the girl, she loves him not, and 1t will
only please her to learn that she Is not
his wife. The Count plays his cards we'll,
but that branded hand and the black glove
have betrayed him."
In tho midst Of tho core mony, however,
quito an unlooked-for eve MT occurred.
Both at Richmond Terrace and Darrell
Chace there were machines for manufao-
turing gas, such as Is the general custom
among tho wealthy planters of the South
ern states, and the whole supply was fur
nishod by single pipe.
When the minister was Just PROFOUND
ing to Carol tho solemn question as to
whether she would "tako this man to be
your lawfully welded husband" the an
swor to which would not have been re-
garded with much anxiety, oven IL 1t had
been a fiat refusal, sudden and complete
darkness eame upon the whole house,
every gas-jet being extinguished ON tho
instant.
The offect can be imagined.
CONSERVATION filled the minds OF
almost every ono, and the few guests
present were alarmed. not knowing what
was about to happen.
Capt. Grant did not realize whether
this was an accident or part Of q deep
laid plan to rob him Of his intended
bride; so. in order to be ready for emer.
gcncies, he threw ono arm around her
At almost the same instant. however.
Carol was jerkod from his senclrcling
arm, and he received blow ON the head
| that staggered him.