Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-05-22
A Masked Marriage.
BY JOHN E. BARRETT.

oN>~N wronged, I'll have this rascal's life
 "Man, you are mad." retorted Dick Dawson. "In Heavens name, what do you want, and why are you here ?"
 sIwant my child, you scoundrels! cried Noel, passionately.
 In that trying hour all the blind mans strength came back to him, and he felt that he could contend with q lion.
 ssWell, you shall have her with pies,s ure," said Dick Dawson, in a diplomatic tone. I've were simply taking her to her home, anyhow, after treating her kindly at my house; but if this stormy conduct is q sample of the thanks we are to get for our trouble, the sooner we sur render her to her father the better Is it not so, MT Carson?"
 "Carson. Carson! :" exclaimed Noel, in a fury ''Where is that scoundrel, Car son }" and he released his hold on Char ence's throat thinking he conld lay hands on the object of his wrath. who must be some where near.
 Dick realized that he had made a mis- take. He was not aware of Noers blind ness. but with hiS usual tact he promptly tried to repair his error by saying, "l was referring to our driver, His name Is Carson, a good, simple man. whom yoll cannot possibly know"
 'sThat's right, sir" said the driver who was feeling quite hilarious by this time, ag the result of the wine in winch he had indulged so freely before leaving Dick Dawson's apartments: lyon ean call me anything you like"
 Noel had released his hold on Clarence Carsons throat, but was still cllngliig to the door of the carriage, trembling with excitement, and wondering how this scene wnnld end.
 Dawson managea to Hlt!snerln Cal6ohs ear. The latter, who was RlinOss stupid from drink when he left Dawsoli's place, had been sohered a good deal by the shaking mp he had received at the hands of Noel Edwards, and he was able to com- pfehead tne gravity of his situation in some measure.
 eve are caught" whispered Daoson. The easiest way out is to let the old man have his daughter, and you proceed on your journey. We can't afford to dght this taing out
 Carson consented. !ls Nas glad to get away from this blind man, who haunted him like a spectre, and he rhee1tuily helped Dawson to lift Edith out of the carriage.
 The poor girls senses were awry. She did not know where she was or what she was doing, and when she was placed on the sidewalk she was compelled 1o cling to her father for support.
 My poor child my Edith :" said Noel. in a voice trembling with emotion, as he clasped her in his arms. What wild tate could have placeo you in the power of tIlesa bad men?"
 HOh, my dear farhsr thank Heaven, you are still alive! went out to search for you, and wandered into stormy dream; but it is atl over now, and we are together again. We shall never never part Come, let us go home"
 At that moment Sam Sharp came run ning up to where father and daughter were standing, ana 4He hoy fairly danced with gler to see the turn aiiailS tiia talk en.
 s|Its as good as q play" said the light hearted lad, catching Noel by the hand, "the way you made those two ch'l1nps take water. 1 got a squint at them now, ana | know who they are. It's Dick DHW- son the gambler. and Clarence Carson. Dawson's q bad 'un, ne is and it's a wonder he didn't show fight, because they do say he has killed his man before now"
 "They are both villains" said Noel. Did yo,l notice what way the carriage went?"
 "Yes, answered Sam; Il had my eye on it as they drove off. It went in the direction of the railroad staton."
 And that's where they were going to take niy Edith, instead of bringing her home. Thank foFt,ule. that sent me here Its been bitter night" aGded Noel But out of it all a blessing has come at last and Heaven has enabled me to save my dear child from terrible fate'
 As he said these words, he felt Ediths hand fiuttering like a bird within his own. She shuddereG aU the thought of wna. might have befallen her had not her father happened so opportunely up on the scene and even as it was, she was haunted by strange, wild fancy that she would fain forget. It seemed the echo ot Clarence Carson's voice, as he followed her along the cn:ridor, after the incident in which Judge Ransom was an actor. and he claimed her as his wife. His wife Oh how she hated that man, who in such a short space of time had become the bane of her life!
 Edith spoke but little on the way home. Her right hand rested in her fathers left as she walked ny his side, and m answer to his many queries, she was compelled to plead weariness, and to promise that ill good time she would tell him strange story.
 Sam Sharp trotted along at the other side of Noel carrying his bundle of pa pers in his arm, and indulging in fire. uuent comments on the conduct of Car son. Dawson, and the men who were supposed to frequent the gamblin@-den of inc latter