The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-12-03
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& Abducted by I
JoIln the Baptist
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= By Ward RleS +
COPYRIGHTED BY THE C. P. A.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

They made all the speed they could,
yet their progress was slow and the
CAPTAIN became so nervous in his anx-
iety for haste that he was almost wild
and Miss Carrie experienced the great
est difficulty in soothing him, being
frightened lest he become frantic.
They nad advanced about mile and
a half in an hour, when they crossed a
small stream over 5hich was no bridge
and almost Immediately there met
their sight, only few rods distant,
the glimmer of light shining through
a window.
"She is there! She is there! the
Captain cried as he hurried the hors-
es; Ion, perseveringly on!' Bright
angels beckon!' There's light in the
window"
He stood erect ard lashed the horses
to a gallop shouting at the top of his
voice:
Stella! Stella! My child! My child!
We are here! We are here! Stella!
Stella Stella!"
Miss Carrie succeeded in taking the
reins from HIM and getting him to give
her the whip and she was able to STOP
the horses near the hut from which
the light came.
A pair of horses and buggy stood al
the door and as Miss Carrie stopped
her horses the door opened and Miss
Lesson came out, accompanied by a
gentleman.
Where is Stella? Stella? My
child! Come to your father! Here i;
Carrie!" the Captain cried, running IL
the door when he saw that she did not
come out of. the house.
Have you not met her? How could
you have missed her?" said Miss Let
son.
why did you let her go?" Miss Car.
rie asked.
oh, Carrie, don't blame me!
cannot bear it; l tried all 1 could tc
keep her; 1 can never forgive myself
for this, for l induced her to go out
there, and to please Mrs. Zenith anG
Mollie | stopped her watch and took
her purse so that she could not &C
home on the train. When she deter
mined to walk did everything that
could to prevent her from doing
sol | did not give her her purse be-
cause l was ashamed and thought thai
1 would afterWard pretend to find il
and would send it to her. Oh, Carrie
Mr. Zenith! l cannot forgive myself!
And yet l only wanted to do what
would please Mrs Zenith and Mollie
for thought they ought to know wha
was best"
And among you you have killed hel
by your treachery; for if she is lost il
this wild region this night she will die
of fright if she is not killed by Other
means; and you are her murderers!
the Captain said.
oh, Captain Zenith! Forgive mt
my wickedness and treachery! l had ne
bad wish or wicked intent! God knows
that l hAd not and that love the deal
girl who is always so bright that ev
ovvh0dv rorst lcve her Do not b"eal
my neart ana dr1ve me crazy with your
censure! My grief is already almost
more than l can bear!"
Miss Letson had thrown herself on
her knees at Captain Zenith's feet. Her
escort and Miss Carrie raised the re-
gretful girl and placed her, sob
bing, in the buggy and while
Miss Carrie soothed her as we'll as her
own grief would allow, the gentleman
returned to Captain Zenith and they
discussed their further course. He in
formed the Captain of all that he had
learned. The occupants of the hut
had seen Miss Stella late in the evening
walking in the direction of Minersvale.
There was no doubt of her identity,
the description being exact. She had
been closely scrutinized because it was
an extraordinary event in the dull life
of the dwellers along that unfrequent
ed road to see traveller and the sight
of lady travelling on foot there was
unprecedented. 1t was not at all prob
able that she had turned back when so
far on her way; but to take as few
chances as possible it was decided that
each party should retrace it's way and
at short intervals call loudly the name
If the missing girl.
The gentleman rejoined Miss Letson,
the Captain called Miss Carrie and they
all set out on their return, over the
roads by which they had respectively
come.
! Miss Carrie, with closed eyes, leaned
back in the buggy and remained silent;
tears oozed slowly through her lashes
! and trickled over her face.
Very slowly, now, they moved over
into the night, upon his right and
upon his left, and at short distances
he would stop and call in a loud
voice for his child:
stella! Stella! Stel-la-a-a!"
| Only echoes answered and the ech-
oes' answers seemed to mock and jeer.
The wakeful birds welcomed the
morning with their songs before the
searchers reached Minersvale; but the
town was yet silent and the streets
empty when they halted at their own
door. Miss Carrie alighted and the
Captain drove to the stables with the
team.
AS Miss Carrie went down the yard
Mrs. Zenith came out the door and the
anxious mother and the worn daughter
each inquired of the other:
4 Have you heard anything?"
! The mutual question was a mutual
answer and silently they went together
into the silent house.