Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-08-29

father had been blinded by jealousy their
could not be the least doubt in the world
and while in this state he could be nc
more held accountable for his actions
than the man who was drunk.
OF late Carol had begun to see hei
father in new light that was not az
agreeable as it might have been. For
merly she had loved him, and been pet
ted by him as one who would expect an
only child to be. but all had changed on
that day when he found her seated by
the side of Roger Darrell in the forest.
He had then showed what an ungov-
ernable temper he possessed, and this
had not improved since. Then had come
his strange conduct in relation to her
marriage with Capt. Grant. who also
had a hold upon him for some act done
In the past.
Last of all, she now heard of his con-
temptible conduct in the past, and her
sympathy was wholly with her mother,
whom she exonerated from all blame
True, some might have said she was in
| discreet, not knowing the circumstances
/ of the case; but when her story was
told Carol saw that there was not the
slightest possibility of her having done
WRONG, and, had Lawrence Richmond
given her a chance for explanation, in
stead of standing there and cnrsing her,
he could not but have been convinced
OF her entire innocence.
She possessed a singular, though
strong nature, and, when subject to
such TRADE Of abuse, pride sealed her
lips after that wild entreaty for him to
examine into the matter before he
cursed her.
Suffering in silence. she would not let
him know after that how cruelty he
wounded her, and, and as a consequence
they had parted to meet no more.
This was in the South. and Immediately
after had come that terrible shock to
Lawrence Richmond by which he lost
three of his four children. He gave out
among his Virginia friends, or at least it
was naturally understood, that he had
lost his wife with the children.
As time passed on and tempered the
blow he began TO see it in another light,
as Judgment from heaven for his actions
toward his wife.
His stubborn spirit would not yield
enough TO permit him to make an inves-
tigation, even when little things came
Involuntary TO light that gave him to
understand that she was innocent.
Guilt hardens a man, and there cannot
be found any one more stubborn and I'M
forgiving than the one who knows he has
made great mistake and is in the
wrong.
The meeting indeed was such singular
one as Imagination could never conceive.
These two had each looked on the
other as dead for many years back. and
TO think of their meeting here and recog-
nizing one another by means of the pic
ture OF him who should have been the
conneeting-link between them, but who,
instead, was the source of misery and
discord
1t was wonderful almost beyond belief. |
The world would never again look so
dreary 10 the lonely woman, and Carol |
had found one whom she could confide in, |
now that even her father had turned |
against her.
The time passed quickly, and midnight
had come almost before they were aware 4
of it.
They were still talking about the past
and present, and even the future, when
they were astonished by a knock at the
door
Instantly all was alarm, for they could
conjecture nothing else than that pursuit
had been made by the enraged bridegroom
and some OF the wedding guests, and
that they had finally come to the very
place where the missing bride had been
hidden away.
The elder lady proved herself fully
equal to the emergency.
She sprang up and hastily placed a
large crock over the candle. Then Carol
felt herself hurried into closet.
A minute later she heard the widow
boldly open the front door. Before do
Ing So the lady had armed herself with
pistol. for she knew not what desperate
need there might be.
The moon had arisen since the time OF
their arrival at the mill, being in her
last quarter. and it was easy to see the
figure of young man standing outside.
'Well. sir, what is it you wish?" de-
handed the widow, with some severity,
and at the same time managing to show
The weapon with which she was armed.
without appearing to do SO intention
lily.
The other seemed in nowlse abashed
and but for the fact that the moon was
1t his back she might have seen the
smile upon his face. as though he read
ly recognized the little device so ex-
remedy feminine.
II seek Carol Richmond; but do not
hlnk come from her father. / have no
owe for him in the first place, for he bit
erly wronged my father; though my
mother paid him back in full and made
lin curse her name. 1 am not what |
eem. Win you tell Carol that Nora
Warner is here, and would speak with
ler?'' '
Mora Warnerl Surely, should know
hat name; and are you her child viii '
TRANCE things never cease? Never mind |
What l am or what l know, but your
mother was once bosom friend of mine.