Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1894-09-19

them. One evening, while they werl
engaged in an animated conversation;
the doctors bell rang, and, excusina
himself, he went below. As he opened
the door tall lfne-looking man steppe'
into the hall. He stood there a mt
nent, and then said in low voice:
| 'James!"
| 'Harry !" exclaimed the other, spring.
ing forward and dragging him into the
light. '1t is you, my dear boy! Where
have you been these three years? Coms
N and get warmed up"
When they were seated before th,
cheerful CRATE fire, James said:
"Hal, tell me; why did you deser'
7ou fiancee in her hour of need?"
"Good heavens man, who told you
that? I did not desert her. My story
is strange one, and but for the most
substantial proofs could never con.
vince you of its veracity. But how did
you hear of this?"
"From your tiancee. The Missei
Carnold are living upstairs in the ut
most poverty"
The other sprang to his feet. "Oh,
let me go to her!" he cried. "Do no
detain mel"
"No; you must wait, " said his broth
ar quietly. 'It would kill her to see
you suddenly in her weak state. Twill
prepare her for the meeting. But first
, tell me about your disappearance. You
wrote to Miss Carnold, saying that you
had decided to start anew, and that she
would never see you again. That
sounds like desertion, doesn't it?'
Hal uttered an exclamation of sur.
prise. 'It was forgeryl" he cried
Indignantly; II never wrote such G
letter. As l intimated to you, mine il
a strange story, and this I suppose il
,ut another chapter.
"Mr. Carnold, Mary's father, the
day before he died, intrusted to my
care a mortgage which he held on
gold-mine claim in Southern California
and which he had intended to foreclos.
in three weeks. He wished me take
possession of the claim and run it fol
his daughters benefit, as this would be
their sole support. I consented, and
as soon as left him placed the preciou
document in safe-deposit vault.
"Mr Carnold died the next day, and
in the confusion and sorrow forgot
to mention the mortgage to the girls
That evening, sitting in my room, ]
fell asleep. woke to find myself Sc.
curely bound and gagged. To make
a long story short, 1 was carried to
cab, conveyed long way from the city
to lonely spot, and there kept pris
oner, being guarded day and night b,
swo of my four armed attendants.
"After two years of this sort of life,
I succeeded in making my escape whil'
my guards were in q drunken stupe,
after day of debauch. Ireached Sal
Francisco in safety, foreclosed the
mortgage, and caused the arrest of all
concerned in my detention. TheiI
cases come up in the November term.
The mine was now the property of the
girls, but no trace of them could l find
they had disappeared. 1 then came OF
and sought you. Like fairy story
isn't it?'
at certainly is, my dear Hail." an
swered James, when his brother hac
finished the recital of his adventures !
81 will run up now and break the goo |
W uuu
"a tiresome patient" he said as he !
entered the room. "But have learned |
through him that my brother Henry i,
well, and, what will be good news te ,
you, that he has been totally blameles |
in the matter of his supposed deseT
ton"
He then related his brothers story,
e,,l l.,
the mortgage interested them in an ,
way.
"And SO your brother is rich minel
now 2" said Mary. Il hope, DR.. Banks
yen will do all in your power to keer
US apart
'I will do nothing of the sort, Mis-
Carnold, He is anxious to see you,
"But do You not see that we are mis-
she said sadly.
"Suppose L tell you," he q,
swered, that you are both rich,
Suppose l tell you that tn,
was left by your fathel
in my brothers care for your main.
tenance, and that the gold-miue
yours"
The two women sprang up with ex.
of surprise but the imper'
turbable doctor said to Mary, rs b.
gently forced her back into her seat,
Come now, Miss Carnold, SOC ]
must exercise my authority. You musj
not excite yourself; you are still very
weak. Besides-well, there's anothei
patient" he added, interrupting him,
self, as the bell rang vigorously. 4
be left the room, he said mysteriously;
'1f the patient proves to be frient
of your. J VII l.1.inc- him m ="
an a short time there were footsteps
On the stairs-a knock-a cry-and
he lo~g separated lovers were clasped
II each others arms.
"What n joyous reunion!" SAID DR.,
Banks, as he and Alice Carnold set
part watching the happy pair. "But
10 you realize that it means a separa-
ion to us, unless-unless you wish to
void it?" :.
The beautiful head dropped to hide
Ter bushes, but she did not answer.
"Alice, darling" he continued, pas
''when first I saw those
ovely, imploring eyes of yours, loved
-ou. Now you are rich woman, and
only poor doctor"
"Hush dear, she said, interrupting
lim; Il am rich, indeed. with slch
&C &c ours. Teke me, unworthy as
am; for you are my life. New
.ork Storiettes.