The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1891-04-18

-p.s % coa.ej wagon and bright cos
u. 5caHtl Che chief attraction in
r fug neO Ot march. Fossio altired
% o. lddeas oE Liberty, stood az the rear
OF ,i.., AEON supported by Lynn Graves,
who was 70 ft knight for the loving
reice
Blnds were stationed at intervals
along The columns, and from the huge
wa gon resounded the campaign songs in
chorus Of patriotic young voices. The
customary banners, transparencies, mot
. e-, carioatures, and illuminations de-
ighted tho throng.
In wild excitement William Bedford
forsool The ranks and dashed about al
0udom, start ing in his recklessness and
elttusive in his actions. Seeking every
pporiunity TO approach Flossie in her
new grandeur, he glared upon her furi.
ously. She needed him not; happiness
made here careless, and her secret was
revealed.
Before the hour of midnight had
ciimed from the distant steeplo the
merry makers were at their respective
homes. Mr. Bedford's family separated
after few moments of animated dis
cussion and comment upon the various
hans and mishaps Of the celebration.
| Williams mood had changed. He sat
quiet and Thoughtful, taking no part in
the conversation. But as Flossie said
good night, finging back her radiant
smile he abruptly arose and bade l.er
stay moment
/. In wondering fear the girl halted,
then came back reluc'a autly to where he
stood
81 have found You ont, he said in a
slow passionless sort Of way, 81 know
now why you have no love for me
oh, William, don't talk so-don't
look so! have never harmed you-why
vii you torment me2 ] don't know
what you mean.
"Yes, you do, he replied in the same
measured tones, "and W hat ] want TO
say is this: The man you love shall die.
l have sworn it. l said I would kill you,
but--what? Crying? Poor little Fio3-
siel' In u strangely tender way he laid
! his hand upon the bowed head Of the
sobbing girl, whose nerves could no
longer bear the tension of exciiement
| "Why, l wouldn't harm you, he con-
tinue1; you couldn't help it Don't
know he has bewitched you? Yes, " he
added lercely. "and I hate him Al
sunrise he diesl We shall be Happy yet.
Go to bed now, my Goddess of Liberty
Tomorrow he desl"
The girl was henumbed with fear If
this were not sheer madness then what
was il? What should she do2 Gently
she bade the man good night and noise
lessly ciept up to her uucles room,
which adjnined hers. No one had as
yet fallen asleep. Flossie expressed her
appreheu.i0ns in cautious voice
The mother, ever watchful, instantly
arose aud ent to her sons room. She
heard him siriling about, but her efforts
TO enter were rudely repulsed Anxious
and unsa'l fled she returned to bed, but
in an hour all was quiet and She, too,
overcome by the unusual fatigue of the
day, fell into deep sleep.
But to Florence sleep was impossible.
Only milo away was the Graves farm.
Should she venture to go in the dead
hour { night and warn her lover? He
had q istcr With whom she had fre-
quontly passed the night, and as for the
future, no one save the two families
need ever know that she went alone and
for such II purpose. Ere the morning
her cousins strange mood would doubt
less have passed away,
Softly coaxing the big house dog, the
girl sped out into the starlit night
Love made her brave. and to this love
she owed her life. Her mission was
speedily accomplished. Her lover took
the procaution to change his sleeping
apartmentin compliance with her whim,
aud the new sun found her fast asleep
beside her school fellow, Marian Graves
Long ere merciful friends would arouse
her, the neighborhood was ringing with
news Of tragedy such as was never be-
fore recorded in the annals of tho clark
and bloody ground. In the dark hours
Of night William Bedford had killed
father mother, sister, and then shot
himself. OF the whole family not one
was left
The Bedford homestead is deserted,
and the neighbors say it is haunted
Flossie never knew the ghastly details
Of the tragedy which left her sole heir
to the properly Lynn Graves married
her almost Immediately, she was so des-
olate and unprotected, and took her
and the dog to Kansas City, where amid
new scenes she tried to forget the past