The age-herald., 1898-07-10
THE TRAIL OF A CARTER SNAKE.

Tonight. Are you glad?' And May laughed a quizzica1 little laugh' "Yes, I confess I am. Only, remember, avoid garter snakes"
 Look there," May suddenly exclaimed.
 "Who is this they're bringing in the 'bus?"
 Don't know" said Derwent. By his looks should say he must be a very sick man."
 'Its Carrl'
 Hardly, I think. Unless Carr got him. self 'reconcentrado' down there. This in- diyidual looks like living skeleton.
 The. driver was doing his best to help the living skeleton out of the ramshackie hotel omnibus, at the same time making signals to Derwent to come and help
 "Why, old man. said Derwent, as he gripped his friends hand, in spite or somewhat cold salutation from the other, q never expected to see you In such shape as this. You look as if you had come back from the grave.
 From very near it," was all that Carr had to say just then.
 Derwent very cheerfully resigned his chair on the verandah to the invalid and displayed much activity in bestowing the baggage and making inquiries within the house as to.where MT. Carr was to be dis posed of As he left May with the returned Wanderer, he gave her one look or pro found intelligence, which she answered with a blush.
 q want to ask you a question:, said Carr. as he sank back in his chair. Il only came for that. Are you engaged to De married to George Derwent?'
 "No" said May. ''I believe MT. DerWent is engaged to be married to Lola Peter son.
 Carr gave a sigh and seemed unable 10 say more just then.
 in Cuha 2' May went on. lou heard?' .,- .r
 "Yes." said Carr, speaking faintly. 'l was recovering from the yellow feVer there in Havana-in May, when those papers reached me. Whose writing was II! eo' them from the consulate. o ,,a,,
 "They brought you back theH! "'' asked with a shy smile. ,+n
 "You did it, May? Tell me you dio IL. ;,
 "Jt was MT. Derwents plan. Ask hlm,
 "There's a room all ready for you olu fellow" said Derwent vociferousy' pus- thing out of the hall door, , o,
 "Come here, Derwent," sald ~ oail. "shake hands. I want to congratuia'e you.' .. +ola vou then?' .oon
 "Yes. And I ought to thank you' too.
 "ob. that's all right, old man. Lit,ie r,,so de guerre. YOU know. But what want to know, Carr, is how you couiu nave failed to learn that that affair-Lola, you
 
 know-was only a cataleptic trance It was all in the papers" ,,
 twas it? I was terribly scared, know ;a Corr ..Then I saw nothing about It in the quebec papers. Then l sailed rom Halifax and purposely covered up my tracks But it's all right no"' eianh heaven" a
 May looked as if she thought so too anu there was a contented pause.
 Presently Carr asked: "Derwent wouioh it have been simpler and more oirect U. .o announce the true ngagement-yours-i'i the papers?" u,, .o
 Nyery likely, old man. But I'm sorry to say. that it was impossible to optain ,ne consent of Miss Peterson's parents to tha.' She was not vet quite recovered at the time. You see, they don't know you' ana they would have regarded the proposition as a trap. You understand.
 Then Derwent went away ana ieit his friend to enjoy his newly found peace ana happiness. Derwent's turn came when the night train brought Lola Peterson.