Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-06-19

1.-THE end has come sooner than / expect
ed" These were the sad words muttered
TO myself as, waving my frightened servant
away closed the door, and stood alone with
the supposed maniac. He rose and wrung
my hand, then without word sank back in
TO his chair and buried his face in his hands,
A sort of nervous trembling seemed TO run
through his frame Deeply distressed drew
his hands from his face.
Now, Carriston," / said, as firmly as /
could look up, and tell me what all this
means. Look up, say, man, and speak to
me-"
He raised his eyes to mine, and kept them
there, whilst a CHASTITY smile-a phantom hui
mor-flckered across his white face. No
doubt his native quickness told him what
suspected so he looked me full and steadily
In the face.
NO" he said, mot as you think. But let
there be no mistake. Question me. Talk to
me. Put me to any test Satisfy yourself,
once for all, that am as sane as you are"
He spoke so nationally, his eyes met mine
so unfinchingly, that was rejoiced to know
that my fears were as yet ungrounded.
There was grief. excitement, want of rest in
his appearance but his general manner told
me he was, as he said, as sane as | was.
l1ank Heaven YOU can SPEAK " anu
look at me like this. !" | exclaimed.
''You are satisfied them" he said
ION this point, yes. Now tell me what Is
wrong?'
Now that he had set my doubts at rest his
agitation and excitement seemed to return.
He grasped my hand convulsiyely.
"Niadeliner' he whispered. "Madelira-
my love-she is gone"
Gomez" repeated. Gone where~
''She is gone. | say-stolen from me by
some black-hearted traitor-perhaps forever.
Who can tell?'
but, GARRISON. surely i'm so short time
her love cannot have been won by another. If
SO, all / can say is"
'Whatw he shouted you have seen
her! You in your widest dreams to imagine
that Madeline Rowan would leave me of her
own free will! No, sir she has been stolen
from e-entrapped-ca away-hidden.
But will find her, or | will kill the black
hearted villain who has done this"
lie rose and paced the room. His face was
distorted with rage. He clinched and un-
cinched his long slender hands
"My dear fellow | said; you are talking
riddles. Sit down and tell me calmly what
has happened. But first of all, as YOU look
utterly worn out, l will ring for my man to
get you some food
NO" he said. II want nothing. Weary
am, for have been 10 Scotland and back as
fast as man can travel. l reached London a
short time ago and after seeing one man
have come straight to you, my only friend,
for help-it may be for protection. But l
have eaten and ! have drunk, knowing l
must keep my health and strength"
However. insisted on some wine being
brought. lie drank glass. snd then with
strange enforced calm, told me what had
taken place. His tale was this:
After we had parted company on our re-
tnm from Scotland GARRISON went down to
the family seat I'm Oxfordshire, and informed
his uncle of the impending change in his life.
The baronet an extremely old man, iniirm
and 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 i'm
his nephew's prospects. Still, he was the
head OF the 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 and future head was about TO ally