Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-10-09
CHAPTER XVII.
WEDDING BELLS IN THE COVER
NOR'S MANSION.

CHAR Az IL.
WEDDING BELLS IN THE COVER
NOR'S MANSION.
Two days after Mcleod and his bride
reached Asheville on their wedding trip,
General Worth received a letter which
threw him into a paroxyism Of rage. Sal
lies wedding had been fixed for the day
OF the Inauguration Of the governor.
The invitations were out and society In
a fiutter Of comment and gossip over the
romantic and brilliant career Of young
CASTOR. and his luck in winning power
love and fortune in a day. .t
The letter was from Mcleod. at Ashe-
VILE informing him that his daughter
was already married, and that CASTOR was
simply seeking his fortune by a subter-
fuge, and showing his power over him
by humiliating him at the last moment
before the world. He enclosed tran
script Of the marriage record. signed by
the Rev. John Durham. and witnessed
by Mrs. Durham and Stella Holt. This
record was certified before the clerk OF
the court and bore his SEAL There was no
doubt whatever of the facts.
When the general handed this letter to
Sallie she flushed. looked wistfuliy into
his face. saw its hard expression or
speeches. anger, turned pale and burst
into tears.
Her father without a word went to his
room, and locked himself in for twenty
four hours. refusing to see her or speak
10 her.
On the following day she forced her
way into his presence, and they had the
last great battle of Wills, All the iron
power OF his unconquered pride, aecus-
toned for a lifetime TO command men
and receive instant obedience, was reused
to the pitch OF madness.
IF you marry him 1 swear to you
thousand times you shall never cross my
doorstep and you shall never receive one
penny OF my fortune. He is a gambler
and an adventurer, and seeks 10 make
me laughing stock for the world!''
Papa, nothing could be further from
his thoughts. He has always loved and
respected you. assume all the RESPONSE
bility for our secret marriage"
Then sharper than a serpent's tooth is
the ingratitude OF disobedient child!''
But, papa, waited five years of pa
tient suffering trying to obey you.' she
protested.
Il had rather see you dead than to see
you marry that man now. and have him
sneer his triumph in my face"
I'VE are already married. Why talk
like that7" she pleaded tearfully.
II deny Il. 1 am going to annul that
marriage. Felony is ground for the dis
solution Of the marriage tie. A ceremony
performed under such conditions. when
one Of the parties is in prison charged
with felony without bail. is illegal. and
I'll show II. The lawyers will be here in
an hour and I will take action tomor-
row."
Never. with my CONSENT she firmly
replied. She left the room. consulted with
her mother, and hastily dispatched tele-
gram to Hambright summoning CASTOR 10
Independence Immediately.
men this telegram came he was in his
rHnra hard At xrOr On HE fnarrCTrra1
dress. outlining the policy of his admins
tration. He was in a heated argument
with the preacher about the article on ed
ucation. which followed his recommended
ton of the disfranchisement of the ne
gro.
He had advised large appropriations for
the Industrial training of negroes along
the lines OF the new movement of their
more sober leaders.
Its a mistake" argued the preacher,
If the negro Is made master of the in
dustries Of the south he will become the
master of the south. Sooner than allow
him TO take the bread from their mouths,
the white men will kill him here as they
do north. when the struggle for bread
becomes as tragic. The negro must ulti-
mately leave this continent. You might
as well begin to prepare for it,
But we propose to train him princi-
pally In agriculture. we need millions OF
good farmers" persisted CASTOR.
$50 much the worse, I tell you" re-
piled the preacher. Make the negro q
scientific and siccesful farmer. and let
him plant his feet deep in your soil. and
IT will mean a race war"
1T seems to me impracticable ever to
move him."
'why2" asked the preacher. CHOSE
over certain ages can be lett to end their
days here. The negro mas sOst us already
the loss of SO0O,O00 600. a war that killed
a half million men. the debauchery of our
suffrage. the corruption of our life, and
threatens the future with anarchy Lin
coin was right when he said:
There is a physical difference between
the white and black races which l be-
lieve win forever forbid them living to-
gether on terms of social and political
equality
Even you are still laboring under the
decisions OF Reconstruction The Ethi-
opian cannot change his skin, or the
leopard its spots. Those who think il
possible will always tell you that the
place to work this miracle is in the south.