The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1889-10-11


n filmy, ghost-like figure at the window,
with white, accusing face-thc face of
her victim-thc face of little Gracie!
CHAPTER XVIII:
HOME AGAIN.
Tt was no wrath, no ghost, hut little
Oracle in the flesh who stood gazing in
ut the open easement upon the unlloly
scene, with wildly distended eyes.
For one moment she paused there,
attracted by baleful fascination over
which she had no command; then she
vanished as mystcriously as she had
come.
How had sho reached there, when
we left her apparently dying among
strangers in that pretty garden of up
per New York City, called Mount Nor
ris Park?
Simply enough. She had but
swooncd, and the natural health which
had helped her to bear SO many hard
ships and trials in life, had speedily
come to her rescue. Very likely it was
the hateful clang of the ambulance gong
which finally and completely brought
her to her senses; for, as the vehicle
drew up at the gates of the park, and
the agile young surgeon sprang from
his perch upon the tail-board, she sat
up and gaZed about her in bewildcred
way; y;,, . ,
Miss?" inquired the young doctor,
with considerably more interest than
81 ur,s--srr-eto
lookcrs-on.
II must have faintcd,' little Grucic
answered, wcarily.
"But what was the cause? Arc you
in?"
"No, I am not i'll, but but received
never mind" she added, as sho gained
her feet with some difficulty: IL am
better; it is all over now"
Had you not better ro with mo to-
the hospital?"
"Oh, no, no. sir
"But you are scarcely able to stand.
DO you live in this ncighborlood
No." she answered, "I live down
town; but if / reach ho,sc car shall
do very we'll.
"Then permit mo to bc your escort. "
He offered his arm, which she gladly
accepted, and accompanying her III far
IS Third avenue, saw her seated in the
I proper car. Perhaps it was tho sweet
humility of the girl which touched the
him watch the car as long as its buff
roof and red sides were visible. BE that
as it may, he turned away to Join his
ambulance with sigh of:
What n lovely face! Poor child, [
wish l had ask ed her name! If what
sho said was true, something awful
must have happened to her."
Something awful indeed. from the
poor child's" point of view. 1t will be
remembered that Mrs Arnim had
handed her letter, the reading Of
which had bercft Oracle of her senses.
Had the good woman even suspected
that the missivc bore the forgery of her
sons name she would have DESTROYED
it fnstanter. But how should she know
what 1T contained when it had come by
messenger few hours after Rupcrt's
departure, with the request that it !.
handed ~ the person to whom it was
addressed should she call 1t was Cora
Boydcn's villainous work, and upon
her head must rest the consequences.
IL leave New York." it ran, "to be
rid of You. loved you once, but hate
you now with hatred far surprising
that love. You have deceived me, ont
ragged my hospitality and disgraccd nv
mother by breathing the same air with
der. Farewell forever. / shall shun
you rs would viper; sec that you do
the same in regard to me and l shall
be satisfied"
10 this shocking cpistle was appended
the name of Rupert Arnim 90 that cher
lshed namc--thc name of the only man
she had ever loved and could ever love.
Was it not shock to the sensitive.
suffering heart? Was it lot a sin to be
atoncd for in blood? Still she kept the
note. Had he not written it, and could
she make up her mind to destroy any
thing to which he had set his hand?
The truth was that she did not blame
him; she told herself that he was justi-
fled in despising her, and with the true
pcrversity of a loving woman she COM
forted herself with the thought that
even his hatred was preferable to his
indifference.
During the long ride down town sl,o
so far succeeded i'm composing herself
that when at last she reached the de-
tcctive's house, although very pale, she
was to all appearances perfectly her
self.
Here she found Mr. Edgar inpatient
ly awaiting her. as the hour was draw
ing near when it would bc necessary
for them to take the late afternoon
train for Boston.
why, my child. where have Won
bccn?" asked the lawyer, when Oracle
entered the cosy little parlor.
Up town to bid good-by to some
people who were my friends" replied
the girl, evasivcly.