The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-05-27
TcoNr1NUED FROM FIRST PAGE ]
FALSELY ACCUSED.

our rooms should be searched. |, being
indignant at the idea of our being suspect
ed. was one of the first TO oppose this
You can well imagine then Colonel, and
here his voice fell sorrowfully, ''lle fearful
weight of evidence that was against me
when the lost note was found in my locked
trunk, 1t was known by several OF the
students that needed that amount and
had been refused it By my father MY
mother-God bless her never believed
for a moment in my guilt, but my father,
whose only fault was intense pride, banished
me from his home, saying he would take
nv name from me lift was possible, Being
as proud as himself, | answered that /
would never bear his name until my repu-
tation was indicated | came West and
succeeded in getting the position which L
now hold. My whole ambition has been
to make money enough to return to New
York and ferret out the mystery of how
the money got into my trunk. "Now,
Colonel" he continued, "comes the strange
part of my story. You remember the
advertisement which was read out last
evening? Well, sir, am confident that
| am the person advertised for and that the
advertiser is my mother.
"My dear fellow exclaimed the Colo
mel, 81 trust you are right, and will con-
gratnate you in advance with all my heart -
Here he grasped the hand of the younger
man warmly.
sMy true name is Carroll Wilde Tracy,
and my mothers name is Catherine, so you
see that corresponds, said Wilde.
"Bless my soul!" exclaimed Colonel
Dynecourt, excitedly, Scan it be that you
are Carroll Tracy's son2 Is your father
Judge Tracy, of New York p
"Indeed he is" answered the young
man.
"Why, my dear boy" said the Colonel,
embracing him warmly, "your father was
the dearest friend | ever had. We were
room mates and classmates for four years
and kept up a correspondence long after we
were both married, but my unsettled life,
running from post to post, broke it up. L
remember to have heard that his son was
rather wild, he added musingly. "Come,
let us tell the girls at once. and you must
answer the ad. Immediately"
"One moment, Colonel said the young
er man, rather confusedly and blushing
deeply, "I-I love your daughter, sir, he
continued, plunging to the point at once.
81 have thought of her constantly since
the first time met her, but should have
buried the feeling forever in my own heart
and made no sign had it not been for the
advertisement which you read last night.
Sir" he continued manfully, "should my
name be fully vindicated and my father
take me back into his heart and home have
l your permission to WOO your daughter?
"Indeed you have, my dear boy | loved
your father like a brother, and surely you
have best right to Constance, as you have
twice saved her from worse than death,
answered the Colonel warmly,
"If l can only win her | shall be the
happiest man alive. exclaimed Carroll
Tracy Gas we shall now call him)
II do not imagine you will find insur
mountable obstacles, mischievously an
swered the Colonel.
Il have oHe more request to make Of
you, sir, and that is that you will not men
ton this conversation to any one until my
return. start today for the rancho tc
send courier to Russell with my letter
in time for the semi-monthly mail. As
soon as | receive an answer to my letter, il
it be favorable, shall present myself al
Fort Russell.
"Why, my dear boy, shall burst with
my weight of news before that, exclaimed
the Colonel "Will you not tell Connie ?
''No, Colonel" answered Tracy gravely
sit would kill me to be disappointed should
be so happy as to find she cared for me.
at shall be as you wish, my boy" and
with another warm hand clasp and a "God
speed you" they parted.
CHAPTER VII.
1t is a clear, cold day in the latter part
of December Colonel Dynecourt and
Constance were seated before a blazing
heater. lieutenant West, who is visiting
them, has just gone out. During the
months which have followed their return
from Fort Laramie the Colonel has often
been tempted to break his promise to Car
roll Tracy, especially as he felt a change ii
Constance which he cannot help attribut-
ing TO certain cause She has so positive
ly refused Captain Barley that he has
ceased to torment her. Although she is
as lovely, and gay as ever, the gayety
seems to be fitful 1t is only when she is
running on with Tony West that she is hel
old self.
Constance feels that Captain Wilde loves
her, and she thinks that his pride will not
allow him to address her, their stations il
life being SO different, and she wonders
sadly if she will never see him again. He'
father watches her as she gazes listlessly
out of the window. All at once he sees
the delicate face flush crimson and then
become deathly pale, but e'er he can ash
the cause she has escaped from the room
1. III IL he N