The Forrest City times., 1892-02-26

 He threw himself into chair and was hor- riiied to recognize in the intruder my clever and brilliant friend, Charles Carriston!
 V.
 s'rhe end has come sooner than I 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," 1 said, as firmly as 1 could, Hook 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 ghastly smile-a phantom hli- mor-fickered across his white face. No doubt his native quckness told him what suspected, so he looked me full and steadily in the face.
 .sN0," 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 rationally. his eyes met mine SO unflinchingly, that was reioiced 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.
 Thank Heaven you can speak to me and look at me like this" l exclaimed.
 You are satisfied then%' he said.
 sOn this point, yes. Now tell me what is wrongg'
 Now that he had set my doubts at rest his agitation and excitement seemed to return. He grasped my hand convulsively.
 'Madeliner' he whispered Madeline my love-she is gone.'
 .1i0ne!v I repeated. Gone where"
 "She is gone, l say-stolen from me by some black-hearted traitor perhaps forever. Who can tell..'
 But, Carriston. surely in so short a 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 me-e e-entrappcd-carried 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- clinched his long slender hands.
 My dear fellow" l said; you are talking riddles. Sit down and tell me calmly what has happened. But, first of all, as you look utterly worn out, will ring for my man to get you some food"
 "No.r he said, "I want nothing. Weary am, for have been to 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 have eaten and l have drunk, knowing must keep my health and strength" However, insisted on some wine being brought. He 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- turn from Scotland, Carriston went down to the family seat in Oxforishire, and informed his uncle of the impending change in his life. The baronet, an extremely old man, infirm 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 in his nephew's prospects. Still, he was the ..ead of the family, and Carriston was in dutJ bound to make the important news known to him. The young man made no secret of ms approaching marriage, so in very short time every member of the family was aware that the heir and future head was about to ally himself to nobody. Knowing nothing Of Madeline Rowan's rare beauty and sweet nature, Carriston's kinsmen and klnswomen were sparing with their congratulations. ln- deed, Mir. Ralph Carriston, the cousin whose name was coupled with such absurd suspl- cions, went so far as to write bitter, sarcas- tic letter, full of ironical felicitations. 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- ouiries. he wrote and thanked him for the keen interes; he was manifesting in his Tut ure welfare. but begged that hereafter MT. Carriston would apply to him direct for any information he wanted The two men were now no longer on speaking terms
 Charles Carriston in his present frame or mind cared little whether his relatives wlsh- ed to bless or forbid the banns- He was pas sionately in love, and at once set about mak- ing arrangements for speedy marriage Al though Madeline was still ignorant of the ex- alted position held by her lover-although she came to him absolutely penniless-hew was resolved in the matter of money to treat her as generously as he would have treated the ,post ali0ihle darnsel in the country. There