Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1894-03-30

felt as though he was going to tint
For it was the face in the locket, which
DR.. Will even then wore over his
heart, and the fac-simile of Parke Hal
ton. Sitting an exclamation, the girl
sank into seat. The dying man be-
gan:
'T WAS guardian over Leoline Lea's
property. She was very rich but l
have squandered her estate; ! am dy-
ing now. I loved he and [ deter
mined to make her my wife, thus l
need never render an account of the
TASTED fortune. prosecuted her for
p year to gain her consent. She would
soon be twenty-one and out OF my
power, and then [ would be forced to
give an account Of her squandered
fortune. | was half wild lest should
be discovered and punished. l did all
in my power to force her into mar
riage with me. She hated me, de-
spised me, scorned me.
cat last, tired of her defiance, [
locked her in her room upstairs in this
house and decided to starve her into
obedience to my wishes.
"To my CONSERVATION the girl es-
caped from her prison. She knotted
the blankets together and made a
rope, by which she managed to effect
her escape.
"She was gone several weeks. l was
half distracted over her absence, for
she was as ignorant of the world as
little child. Had she net been, she
would have known that the law gives
no guardian the right to deprive his
ward of her liberty.
"On her twenty-6rst birthday, how
ever, she reappeared and demanded
the restitution Of her fortune. But
she would give no account of her
whereabouts during her absence from
my house until to-day, when she de
clared that she had found refuge in
the Orthop@dic Hospital. | have sent
for you to corroborate her story. Dr.
Walker, have you ever met my ward
before?"
DIR. Wills blue eyes met the fright
ened gaze of Leoline's dark ones
they dropped. How could he answer
that question. She arose to her feet.
g eyes, DIR. Walker has met me be-
fore. am Park Halton." Her face
was ghastly white now, and she trem-
bled perceptibly. IL was very ignor-
I ant of the worlds ways, as my guard
q ian acknowledges friendless orphan
D or I would long ago have appealed
v to the law for protection from his
prosecutions. In the wardrobe of the
room where I was imprisoned l found
! q suit of mems clothing; I managed
TO alter them so that [ could wear
them; and knotting blankets snC
sheets together, finally escaped from
q the window, breaking my arm IN M
flight. l had hoped to find refug'
>. until my twenty-6rst birthday witt
). some acquaintance at the farther enc
j. of the city, but when [ reached th'
house it was closed and the family
e gone abroad.
6 81 was IN terrible pain with m.
broken arm, and that, with the dlsap
is pointment, overcame me, and fslrite'
e and was taken to the hospital Yol
# know the rest, doctor. Can you ever
n forgive my unwomanly conduct?"
DR.. Will took both little hands IL
}. his own and led her from the room.
O 81 know this" he said in a low
q tender tone, "that love you as mai
o never loved woman before.
:. Her eyes dropped from before hi
passionate gaze.
l. 81 have loved you ever since m.
|. eyes first opened from that swoon II
the hospital" she faltered, "and i
e nearly drove me distracted to reflect
/ upon my false position. You canno
love OF respect me?"
But there was no doubt of the love
:, which filled his heart and with true
love respect comes always.
II And that was the way In which m,
! friend Walker found his wife. lid
% Bits.
le The "ToaG" Ring.