The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-09-20
I|:''|I:i''II'''|'I'RE F|:''|I:ji''III'''I|'EI''R||.E||D E'R| 4 BY FATE
a Thrilling Virginia Romance.
BY EMMA S. SOUTuWORTH.
CHAPTER V.-Continued.

not come to this place without deep
object in view. What that object Is you
may not know at present, but be content
with the fast that it had no concern with
you Or yours. That was an afterthought,
brought on by circumstances.
"Let US now settle these matters
finally. You agree to give me Carol for
my wife, and accept me as your son-in-
law, If, in return, place in your hands
all evidence of the crime that lies In the
past, and which, if announced to the
world, would put a blot upon the namo Of
Richmond, which has never before been
sullied. This you soiomnly promise"
You know well your power. There
Is no other course under Heaven for me
to take. If there was, tell you frankly
! would sooner risk all than allow such
an infamous proceeding to go on. Upon
tho whole, however, it may not seem so
bad, for the girls heart is already broken.
and she will care very little what becomes
of her. You have schemed we'll. Captain
Grant, and my curses upon you for it.
You havo won. l am In your power.
body aud soul, as 1t were, and there is no
escape for me. I accedc 70 your prOpO-
sal, and unless something unexpected
and favorable to me turns up-a thing
cannot even imagine, much less hope for
you may consider the affair settled"
| "I ain glad you look at 1t in that light.
| for I should have hated to have been
| forced to extremes. Bad as l may be.
| Lawrence Richmond, there are worse
men in this world, and 7 will try to mako
Carol good husband, for I have love
for her in my heart.
"What going? Well, we will meet.
again and 1 sincerely trust that 1t will
be all smooth sailing UP to tho appointed
wedding day. Ta-ta. fathcr-in-law that
is to be. Believe me, yours truly, John
| H. Grant"
He watched Lawrence Richmond until
! the o.l gentleman was almost out OF
sight.
tpon the face of the dashing duolist
| captain was q sneer, such as might have
! we'll become q devil end the thoughts
| that filed his mind were not long Ii find-
ing vent III words.
The two men had stood close to the
briuI; of fearful pre- ipice, and the view
from that point vas classed the finest in
all the surrounding country, for far below
ran the historic Potomac, its waters dane
ing In the sunlight or looking black and
| gloomy where tho shadows lay upon
them.
800, You venerable Villain" grated the
Captain, ct length; "you have found
your match ut last, and In me. Would
it not have done your heart good to have
given me Il push and sent me ovoy tho
edge here? can imagine your flendieh
| smile OF satisfaction as you viewed my
body as 1t went whirling down through
space to eternity perhaps to alight In
the trees below, or it might be to float
away to the ocean on tho Potomac.
II could soc all that in his mad orbs,
but he haG Jared not attempt the decd
that was In his soul, for he knew well that
should he miss in its execution, would
have no mercy upon him. How well all
my plans have succeeded. There Is not O
living soul Who will dare come between
me and my prey, and as for him, poor
fool, will soon make an end OF him. He
does not suspect that in Capt. Grant
lies his old-time enemy, tho man who has
cursed his lie. If l can only keep the
lips of Mona Warner silent, my case IL
won. Ha! who Is this?"
There stood before him one upon
whom his oycs became glued, and as he
looked upon her features It could be
plainly seen that he gave quite start.
though immediately after no was him
self again, cool and collected.
"Who are you, girl, and what do you
seek heref" he asked, somewhat haugh-
tilY.
"I am Barbara Mcr14les, the gipsy. I
seek nothing here, for l was present
when you came" replied tho girl, her
eagle eyes first fastened upon his face
wonderingly, expcctantly, and then, with
Il disappointed expression, turning upon
his hand.
Capt Grant had held his LETT hand
behind him, seemingly in a careless
manner, and yet there was much methou
In his action, fox tho gypsy maid would
have instantly recognized the bl acl1
glove that lie always wore upon 1t. And
yet she had not been ablo to catch even
a glimpse of 1t.
"Then You overheard all that passed
between Lawrence Richmond and my
self 2" he asked.
"You have spoken truly; but it need
not trouble you, for l have neither the
disposition nor the power to harm you OF
interfere with your plans. My mission
here is of far different nature. l am
searching for man."
"Ah, indeed. And may inquire what
success has attended your search thus
farf" asked tho captain, into whose eyes
came most peculiar gleam.
That look betrayed him.
He might disguise his features, aitel
his voice beyond recognition, and even
! pass his brother without recognition
but the eyes of hate arc keener thar
those OF love, and Barbara Merriles haC
seen that expression In his eyes too Otter
to forget 1t. She knew him now.
1t would have been hard to have found
one keener than this gypsy girl.
Though the knowledge had come TO hcl
like a thunder-clnp, she did not betraS
herself. Not u muscle of her feature,
gave evidence of the amazing discovery
she had made.
"Ihave searched far and wlde for him
tho man who ruined my iife and kille,
my gipey mother through his heartless
ness 10 mc. l flattered myself that
would kno" him, no matter when o.