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

n ~M-NA Inc meeting, ldc0
II " /VWn to face, of Law
NN nm WW renee Richmond,
AIh M " AIW the man Of strong
//lWVQ& WEW ~rdOV i'm pulls es and
rl flerce passions,
with the woman who had been his wife,
and yet upon whom his eyes had never
fallen during the past fifteen years.
Between those two, though they
seemed separated by but a step, lay a
chasm so deep that 1t would have been
almost impossible to have crossed it.
This was the pit time had dug and over
which even love had not built a bridge.
She knew him at once.
His hair, when last she looked upon
the lover of her youth, had been black as
the ravens wing, while now 1t was white
as the snow, but there was that upon his
face-a look that never changed. That
look Of deadly anger had been the last
she had seen upon his face and it had all
these years haunted her. 80 that when
she looked upon the same expression
now, the knowledge Of who stood before
her flashed like meteor over her mind,
causing her to reel at the first, although
she soon regained her self possession.
AS for him, he had not the remotest
suspicion of tho truth as he stood there.
That this kind-looking, elderly lady,
from whose life his hand had driven all
happiness except what she drew from
within, was his wife Of the past the
ono whom he had once loved with all the
fire of his nature-was something that
did not enter his mind just then, so that
he had not glimmer Of the truth, and
was all unprepared for what was to come.
He was hot with anger.
Having followed Roger Darrell in the
direction of the haunted mill, he knew
Just where his child had been hidden
away, and had hurried on as fast as pos
sible.
In common with others, Lawrence
Richmond had heard Of the widow who
occupied the old mill, but he had. mover
paid any attention to the gossip that was
circulated concerning her, and the fact
that she never seemed to want for any,
thing so long as money would buy 1t.
He was enraged OF the idea of his child
being carried off in the audacious man.
ner she had been, and then kept so close
10 home. In his anger, he forgot that
Carol was Of age, and that the law could
not and would not help him in the mat
ter.
When he found himself face to face
with the mysterious widow, he saw with
some satisfaction that she evidently
seemed disturbed by his presence, and
the fact gave him pleasure.
He also saw her lips form his name,
although tho sound, II any issued from
between them was not audible to him.
Eyes, it is Lawrence Richmond, mad.
am. At last 1 found you out. By track.
ing that young imp Of Satan I have
struck the bower to which he carried her.
Do not attempt to deny 1t, madam; my
child is herer' he Numbered.
At first she had suspected that he had
recognized her. but was Immediately re-
assured on this point by his words.
81 shall not attempt to deceive you
Carol has been here. She is out for a
walk, but will be back soon, when you
can see her if you wish. We have moth
ing to fear from you, Lawrence Rich
mond, for the girl is Of age, and no
longer subject to your authority. Go
your way, or remain and see her II you
will"
He started at sound Of her voice, as
though memory had given him q stab,
and yet just then he could not compre-
hend why he should act thus.
His keen eyes seemed to search the
face of the woman, but she was 80 utterly
changed from the one he had loved, yet
sent from him, that not the faintest
glimmer Of the truth penetrated his
brain.
"You talk boldly, madam. Perhaps
you forget the difference in our station.
You are poor and friendless, 1 the rich
and powerful Lawrence Richmond, of
Richmond Terrace. Which do you think
would have the most influence In court?"
The question was cruel but the widow
only smiled as though ready to meet It..
"Think not your secrets arc unknown
to me, Lawrence Richmond. The Ter
race is mortgaged to It's full value, and
any day the real owner may foreclose.
Indeed 1t has been u source of wonder
to you for year past why he has not
done so. This was one reason why YOU
wished your daughter to marry Capt.
1IdAUs 4Ou OO1AONOu AilA W UO WC61LIlYs
the heir to vast estates. Had you let
him know the truth on your side, he
would never have troubled you about
your daughters hand, for he believed
her to be an heiress."
"Woman," gasped the old man, show
know you this? I supposed there was
not soul in the world acquainted with
the facts save my lawyer and Lionel
Marsden, to whom the mortgage be-
longs. What witchery Is this2 Am to
be ruined by babbling tongue2 Surely
Heaven Furnishes me terribly for that
mad act of the past"
He almost groaned these last words,
and she knew to what he referred, for a
low exclamation fell from her lips.
"When YOU believed that, you were
right. Not soul in the world does know
of the fact but your lawyer and Lionel
Marsden. See, Lawrence Richmond, do
you recognize that documentp" and
from her bosom she drew a scroll; sit Is
the paper that takes from you Richmond
Terrace, the home Of your ancestors.
am the one whom 1t has pleased to call
herself Lionel Marsden."
He stood there mute, his eyes glued
upon the precious document. All, II it
were but destroyed, Richmond Terrace