Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1902-08-27
cHAPTER X.-lContinued.l


ungoyeTnable JOY as swept over the fea-
lures OF Mrs. Randall when she uttered
those sc"r words, so simple, and yet CON
tanning wonderful amount Of knowl-
edge Of the poor lady.
First Of all she could trace amazement
and incredulity upon the face OF he
widow, but this quickly gave way to 9th
err feelings as her mind began to compre-
bend the true state of affairs.
Then a cry broke from her lips, a cry
40 full of delirious JOY that it pierced
Carols heart and she realized then what
was the relationship between them.
my child! my child Oh, how could
they be so cruel as to tell me all mad
died? see it now! He would not let
me have even one little grain Of comfort
and hope, but must doom me to complete
despair. But the Comforter came--he
could not keep Him away-and | found
peace. You have looked on your mother
as dead, and few there are who know
different, but she stands before you,
Carol, seeking your pity, your love. w Ill
you come TO me. or have you learned to
hate the Dotner thRt lore youE Speak
TO me, M child; my heart trembles in an
ticipation. Heaven help me-
There was not the least hesitation.
With low, exultant cry of My moth
Der.' Carol sprang forward and clasped
her arms about the neck of the widow.
The strange feelings she had experience
ed at sight of AIRS Randall were all eX-
planned now. and could be accounted for
on very natural grounds.
They embraced with all the fervor OF
those who loved. though they had been
parted so long that it was as il Carol
had never seen her mother.
Then they sat down to lalk first Of
the strange chain OF fate laat had led
to this meeting, and then of the past,
Carol heard her mothers story as told
80 the simplest manner, and then she
Iound no blame could be attached TO he.
That her father had been blinded by
jealousy there could not be the least
doubt ia the world.
OF late Carol had begun to see ner
father in a new light that was not as
agreeable as il might have been. For
merly she had loved him, and been pet
ted by him as one would expect an only
child to ne. bat all had changed on that
day when he found her seated by the side
of Roger Darrell In the forest.
He had then shown what an ungOvern
able temper he possessed, and this had
mot improved since. Then had come his
strange conduct in relation 70 her mar
Fiage with Captain Grant, who also had
a hold upon him for some act done In the
past.
Last of all she now heard Of his con
temptibie conduct in the past. and her
sympathy was wholly with her mother,
m hca she exonerated from all blame,
These two had each looked on the other
as dead for many years back, and TO
think of their meeting here and recognize
ing one another by means of the picture
of him who should have been the con
Meeting link between them, but who in
stead, was The source Of misery and dis
card!
The world would never again look so
areary to the lonely woman, and Carol
had found one whom she could confide
in, now that even her father had turned
against her.
The time passed quickly, and midnight
had come almost before they were aware
of IT, They were still talking about the
past and present and even the future.
when they were astonished by knock at
The door.
Instantly all was alarm, for they could
conjecture nothing else than that pursuit
had been made by the enraged bride
groom and some OF the wedding guests.
and that they had finally come to the
very place where the missing bride had
been hidden away.
ghe elder lady proved herself fully
equal to the emergency. She sprans mp
ana hastily placed large crock over the
csndle. Then Carol felt herself hurried
into a closet.
A minute later she heard the widow
boldly open the front door Before doing
40 the lady had armed herself with
pistol, for she knew not what desperate
need there might be.
The moon had arisen since the time of
their arrival at the MILL being in its last
quarter, and it was easy to see the figure
OF a young man standing outside.
We'll, sir, what is it you wish?" de-
manded the widow. With some severity.
and at the same time managing to show
the weapon with which she was armed,
without appearing to do so Intentionally.
The other seemed in no wise abashed,
and but for the fact that the moan vas
at his back she might have seen the smile
upon his face. as though he readily rec
ognlzed the little device SO extremely
feminine.
Il seek Carol Richmond. bun do not
think come from her father. have no
love for him ia the first place, for he bit
terly wronged my fether, though my
mother paid him bac. in full and made
him curse her name am not what /
seem Will you tell Carol that Nora
Warner is here. and would speak with
aer."
mora Warner Surely should know
that name; and are you her child? viii
strange things never cease3 Never mind
who ! am or what | know, but your
mother was once 4 bosom friend of mlne.
How did yen know Carol was hrrc?'
THAT matters not at present. ! knew
81, and | must see her upon matters OF
vital Importance concerning her happi.
ness. Since last ! met her hav1 ec32d
ont many things that viii e!ter the whole
of her life, and probably bring peace and
happiness where wretcled sorrow now
lives. Do not keep mt from her. l en-
treat You. madam. That fend has set tn,
hounds from the asylum on my tI2o
again, and at any minute they may sprins
upon me. Then ii would be too late, ar
she must suffer"
There was wild entresty In the tone
OF the girl, and, although the referenc
T. the asylum had startled the lady 70
q moment. she believed the oti CT To b
sincere and turning, took several step
toward the closet in which Carol ha
hapn shut