The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1890-09-19

his uncle OF the impending change In his life.
The baronet, an extremely old man, infim
ard all but childish, troubled little about the
matter. Every acre. of his large property
Was strictly ~entailed, SO his pleasure or dis
| pleasure could make but little alteration in
his nephew's prospects. Still, he was the
dead of tho family, and Carriston was In duty
bound to make the important news known to
him. The young man made no secret OF his
approaching marriage, SO in a very short time
every member OF the family was aware that
the heir md future head was about to ally
( himself to nobody. Knowing nothing of
Madeline Rowan's rare beauty and sweet
nature, CarfistUn's kinsmen and kinswomen
were sparing with their congratulations. In
deed. Mr.. Ralph CarTiston, the cousin whose
name was coupled with such absurd suSpi'
cions. went so far as to write a bitter, sarcas-
tic letter, full of frontal calculations. This
and Charles Carriston's naughty reply, did
not make the affection between the cousins
any stronger. Moreover, shortly afterward
the younger man heard that inquiries were
being made in the %neighborhood of Made
lines home, as to her position and parentage.
Feeling sure that only his cousin Ralph could
have had the curiosity to institute such in
quiries, he wrote and thanked him for the
keen interest he was manifesting in his fut-
urc welfare, but begged that hereafter Mr..
Calriston would apply to him direct for any
information he wanted. The two mel were
new no longer on speaking terms.
Charles GARRISON in his present frame of
mind cared little whether his relatives wish
Ell to bless or forbid the banns. He was pas
sionatcly in love, and at once set about MAX
ing arrangements for a speedy marriage. Al
though Madeline was still ignorant of the eX-
allied position held by her lover-although
she came to him absolutely penniless-he was
solve In the matter of money to treat her
as generously as he would have treated the
most eligible damsel in the country. There
were several legal questions TO be set at rest
concerning certain property he wished to set
tie upon her. This of course caused DELAY.
AS soon as they were adjusted to his own. OF.
rather to his lawyers satisfaction, he pur-
posed going to Scotland and carrying away
his beautiful bride. In the meantime he cast
about for a residence.
Somewhat Bohemian in his nature, CARTS
ton had no intention Of settling down just yet
to live the life of an ordinary moneycd En-
glishInan. His intention was to take Made
line abroad for some months. He had liked
upon James as a desirable place at which TO
winter, but having grown somewhat tired of
hotel life wished to rent a furnished house.
He. had received from an agent to whom he
had been advised to apply the refusal of q
house which, from the glowing description
given, seemed the one above all Others he
wanted. AS ali early decision was insisted
upon my impulsive young friend thought
nothing of crossing the Channel and running
dOwn to the south of France to sec. with his
own eyes, that the mlch-laudcd place was
worthy of the fair being who was to be its
temporary mistress.
He wrote TO Madeline, and told her he was
going from home for a few days. lie said
he should be travelling the greater part of the
time, so it would be no use Of her writing to
him until his return. He did not reveal the
object of his journey. Were Madeline to
know it was to choose Il winter residence at
Cannes, she would be filled with amazemcnt,
and the innocent deception he was still keep
ing up would not be carried through to the
romantic end Which he pictured to himself.
The day before he started for France Made
line wrote chat her aunt was very unwell, but
said nothing as to her malady causing any
alarm. Perhaps Carriston thought less about
the old Scotch widow than her relationship
and kindness to Miss Rowan lnerited. He
started on his travels without any torebod-
ings OF evil. -
His journey to Cannes and back was hur-
ricd-hc wasted no time on the road, but was
delayed for two days at the place itself be-
fore he could make final arrangements with
the owner and the present occupier of tho
house. Thinking he was going to start every
moment lie did not write to Madeline-at the
| y, In at which hn u,onpf IN tpfurp a 1affa,
posted in England would reach her almost as
quickly as if posted at Cannes.
He reached his home, which for the last
few weeks had been Oxford. and found two
letters waiting for him. The first, dated ON
the day he left England, was from Madeline.
1t told him that her aunt's illness had sud
denly taken a fatal %turn-that she had died
that day, almost without warning. The sec
Ond letter was anonymous.
1t was written apparently by a woman, and
advised Mr.. Carr to look sharply after his
lady-love or he would find himself left in the
lurch. The writer would not be surprised to
hear solnc fine day that she had eloped with
q certain gentleman who should be namelcss.
This precious cpistle, probably an cmanation
of feminine spite, Carriston treated as it de-
seryed-hc tore it up and threw the pieces to
the wind.
Bat the thought of Madeline being alona at
that lonely house troubled him greatly. The
dead woman had M sons or daughters-all
the anxiety and responsibility connected with
her affairs would fall on the poor girl. The
next day he threw himself into the Scotch
Express, and started for her far-away home.
On arriving there he found ii occupied only
by the rough farm servants. They seemed in
a state of wondcrment, and v0lubly question
cd Carriston as to the whereabouts of Made
line. The question scnta chill of fear TO his
heart. He answered their questions by 9th
ers, and soon learnt all they had to commune
cate.
Little enough it was. On the morning aft
er the old woman's funeral Madeline had
gone to C~allcpdar to ask the advice of an old
friend OF her aunt's as to what steps should
now be taken. She lad neither been to this
friend, nor had she returned lone. s'hehad.
howevcr, sent n message that she must go to
London at once, and would write from there.
Tla was the last heard of her-all that was
known about her.
Upon hearing this news Ctuiston became
a prey to the acutest tcr1or-m emotion
which was quite ineNp!icable to the honest
people. his infornants. The girl had gone.
but she had sent no word whittier She had
gone. True, theyedid not know the reason
for her departure, so sudden and without lug
gage of any dcscription-true, she had not
written as promised, but no doubtt!iey would
hear from her Tomorrow. Carriston knew
better. Without revealing the extent of his
fears, he flew back to Calendar. Inquiries
at the railway station informed him that She
had gone, or had pulposed going, to London,
but whether she ever reached it, or whether
any trace of her could be found there, was. at
least, a matter of doubt. No good could be
gained by remaining in Scotland, so he trav-
eletl back at once 10 town, half distracted.
s!eeplcss, and racking his brain to know
where to look for her.
'She has been dccoyed away he said in
conclusion. "She is hidden, imprisoned some
where. And know, as well as If he told
me, who has done this thing. ! can trace
Ralph Carriston's cursed hand through it
ALL"
glanced at him askance. This morbid
suspicion of his cousin amounted almost to
monomania. He had told the tale OF Made
lines disappearance clearly and tersely; but