The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-05-27

lieve you guilty"
"Then, madam, you have less sense than
l gave you credit for" answered her hus-
band, angrily. Turning to his son he con-
tinued:
81 will give you 800, and as you pos
sess an excellent education, if you are of
any account you will not starve.'
Carroll Tracy was so full from conflicting
emotions that he dared not trust himself to
speak, but silently left the room. Reach
ing his own apartments he hastily packed
large valise and then threw himself upon
the bed and gave up to the saddest rehec-
tions his young life had ever known. He
was fiercely angry with his father, and yet
he knew that had he not been led off by
wild companions there would never have
been cause to doubt him. During this
hour of self-examination he made many
good resolutions, which his after life full
filled He was aroused by his mother
entrance.
"0h, my son, cannot move your father.
He who has all your life been so indulgent
is now as iron. He has relented this far
as to give you $500, and perhaps ere that
is spent your father will still further relent
and allow me to recall you"
''No, mother" firmly said the boy. 81
will not take cent from one who takes
away both my inheritance and my name.
But do not fear, mother mine, have a few
dollars in my pocket, and should not get
employment at once [ can easily raise
money on my diamond ring and other jew
elry. | will never receive cent from my
father until he tells me he believes me
innocent, and there was ring of firmness
and pride in the boys voice which his
mother had never heard before
No urging his mother could use would
make him spend the night in the home in
which he had been born. 1t was a sad
parting. Mrs. Tracy placed sealed letter
(Which contained check in his hand beg
ging him not to open it until he had left
the city, for he had told her of his deter
minatiou to seek his fortune in the West.
So bitter was the Judge that he refused
to allow any correspondence to pass between
mother and son. Judge Tracy would not
tell him good-by, but Carroll bid his mother
tell him that he believed firmly his honor
would one day be vindicated
As Carroll Tracy walked down the mar
BILE steps of the elegant mansion he sighed,
bitterly thinking of the irony of fate which
had changed him in twenty-four hours from
the heir Of one of the wealthiest men in
New York to poor young fellow with
out name, for he had sworn never to
take his fathers name again until it was
cleared from this unjust suspicion.
CHAPTER II.
A sunset evening on the western plains.
Five companies of cavalry, commanded by
that brave old officer Colonel Dynecourt,
are in camp upon the borders Of narrow
stream. These troops are on their way to
Fort Russell, Wyoming Territory. The
events of this story occurred ere the snort
of the iron horse was ever heard across
the quiet plains, and the great Union
Pacific railroad was as yet a dream I'M
| dreamt
The baggage of the troops (and also OF
emigranis who sought home in tina wild
country were carried ip what was known
as prairie-schooners- large coEeged wagons,
drawn by six, eight, or ten mules.
What quantity pretty picture it makes
The broad expanse of prairie, with its
emerald carpet dotted here and there by
the white tents of the troops. The horses
and mules are picketed around to Craze
and are haltered by rope to stake which
is driven in the ground. As we gaze upon
the scene the ''fy" of wall tent is raised
and two ladies' sannter out for short stroll
while the evening meal is being prepared
The elder of the two ladies is a handsome
woman of twenty-three or four, and al:
though she is attired in simple snit ol
flannel suitable to the journey, you see Ct
glance that it is made Of the best mate
rial and in the latest style. This is Mrs.
Cameron, wife of Captain Cameron, of the
Sixth cavalry. She with her husband is
Just returning from visit to Washington.
Mrs Cameron is the eldest daughter OF
Colonel Dynecoprt and has been married
about three years Her companion IS 2
stylish girl of eighteen, perfect blonde,
but unlike most blondes she is full of Vi
vacity and is extremely beautiful, and her
pansy blue eyes look like wells of truth.
aOh! Rena," exclaimed the young girl,
.'isn't this lovely, peaceful scene? 1t
looks as though nothing human had ever
trodden these plains before ourselves. This
life is no novelty to you, but imagine how
grand and free it seems after having been
for eight years shut in convent. I'm so
glad to have graduated and to be With yop
and papa"
"The scene is very peaceful and lovely,
now, dear, but these same smiling prairies
and grand canyons have echoed the sound
of the savage war cry, and that not many
weeks ago, answered the elder lady thought
fully.
ssOhl but that was only an smigrant
train of about dozen persons who were
q l.