The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1892-12-31

same, when the door was pushed hastily
open, and young gentleman entered, fol-
lowed by N older man. Both were well
muffied / furs. As the two arrivals
stepped into the room, the lamp light fell
fnll on their faces, and Hazel gave low,
sudden cry Before any one could speak,
the younger of the new comers sprang for
ward.
"Hazel! p he exclaimed, in eager, tense
tense tones; and the next instant, regard
less of the others, he had folded her to his
heart A moment later, he as suddenly
released her, and holding her still, but at
arms length, asked, impressively: "Have
| still the right? p
"Yes," she whispered, and again was
clasped close, but only for a second; sud
denly recollecting the spectators who stood
amazedly regarding the scene, the girl
quickly withdrew herself from the enelos-
ing arms.
Then the Young man remembered for
The first time that they were not, alone, and
still holding Hazels hand, faced them all.
IL suppose you don't underestimate
least you don't seem to-fellows. Shall
explain, Hazel"
"Yes,' she murmured
"Well, you sec" began the young
stranger, a slight touch of shyness creep
ing into his tones, which had still an ac-
cent of pride in them perhaps | can
best explain matters, and in the fewest
words, by saying that Miss Dean is my
promised wife, and that haven't seen her
for three years
Say, old boy, | congratulate you,
came in feeble voice from the figure be-
meath the the buffalo robe But what
did you say her name was?
Then every one remembered the sick
man. He had been forgotten in this new
drama, and he had been asleep when the
two men arrived.
Hazel's lover at once stepped to the
bed, and bending over his comrade, said,
almost tenderly Forgive ne, Carlton,
I had forgotten all about you; but this is the
girl I promised to marry, three years ago.
We parted in anger-a lovers quarrel
and I came West. | wrote to her after
ward, but my letter was returned. She
had gone away, nobody knew where. We
love each other still, and shall be happy
yet !"
"Arthur," Hazel spoke very softly, but
distinctly, 81 wrote to you, too, but
81 never staid in one place long enough
to get your letters, dear, 1 suppose" he in
terrupted.
"But what did you say her name was
Winthrop ?" began the sick man, family,
trying to raise himself on the pillow, and
sinking back exhausted by the effort.
"Dean," answered Arthur, bending anx
iously over his friend; but the two doc
tors for the elder. stranger, DIR. Barstow
had before this discovered, belonged to
the medical fraternity-pushed him aside,
and would have sent everybody away, had
not their patient opened his eyes, and ad-
dressed Arthur.
"And what did you call her 6rstT he
managed to articulate, and when the
young man answered, "Hazel, he tried to
raise himself again, saying, distintly: my
wife's name was Hazel, and mine is Dean.
Carlton was only an assumed name. Let
me look at" The words died on the
speakers lips, and he sank back uncon-
scious
Arthur pushed the pale and trembling
girl on the only seat the place contained,
while the two physicians worked with their
patient until he slowly came back to life,
aud opening his eyes gazed about him.
The stimulants which the sick man eagerly
swallowed revived him, and once more he
tried to lift his head and look at Hazel.
Knowing it would be useless to refuse
Dr. Barstow drew her to the bedside. \
strange excitement lent unwonted strength
to the sufferer, and supported by the two
men, he leaned forward, and gazed intently
into the beautiful face before him.
"She is the image-of-my-wife,
came gasping, from the anxious gazer, and
again he sank bank on his pillow unable
to say more.
d.. Barstow at once poured some
whisky down the exhausted mans throat
and this gave him strength to continue.
arthur" he said weakly, "tell them
my story. You know it all but my name
Perhaps then she may recognize me. She
has not seen me for eighteen years.
This man, whom they called Carlton,
spoke with such certainty A sense of
conviction began to steal over Hazel, who
was trembling SO that the thoughtful doc
tor forced her to take some stimulant.
''Not here" began Arthur, hesitatingly.
"Perhaps it would be better to let her re-
cover from the shock" but his comrade
interrupted him with an urgent "now,"
and a pleading glance of his hollow eyes
while Hazel spoke almost imperatively
"Tell me at once, l am quite able to
hear itf
Then in few words Arthur told his
betrothed how Carlton had lived, eigh-
teen years before, in Boston-how he
quarreled with his wife, and leaving her
and his four-year-old girl to shift for
themselves, had started for South America.
He related, as briefly and tenderly as he
could, Cartons career of dissipation there,