Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-01-22

CHAPTER XIv.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER X1F.-(Continued.)
He had mentioned to the widow the
fact that the adventurer's hand had
been branded when he was sent to 81
IBERIA, so that he was now compelled
to always wear a glove, but this did not
seem so singular to the lady, for the fact
remained that every time she had met
Roger Darrell he had gloves on; so she
did not think it worth while to mention
this part of the story to Carol, seeing
that it confirmed the detectives ideas
rather than disputed them.
Though she had only seen Roger a
few times she had been wonderfully
impressed by his manner and looks, and
she had made up her mind that if these
terrible charges against him proved true
she would never trust a man again.
Poor broken-hearted Carol wandered
out each day. waiting for that dread in
terview which was sure to come, and yet
which seemed u~naccountably delayed.
At the very time when these ideas Were
passing in review through the wearied
and troubled brain of Carol Richmond,
the object of her thoughts, poor Roger
Darrell, was pacing his library like a
Gagged animal, groaning now and then
and showing every evidence Of distress
and dispair.
Try as he would, he found it impos-
sible to think of Carol without allow
ing his mind to dwell on love, and he
was nearly frantic with the continued
fight he had gone through.
He had promised to be a friend to
the girl he loved, and though this was
easy to say yet when it came to attempt
ing it he found he had before him the
most difficult task of his life.
The detective gained in strength so
rapidly that in a few days more ne hoped
to leave those who had stood so nobly
by him, and start upon his trail Of VEN
geancc.
Though Roger Darrell had not yet made
his appearance since the time Of his sep
aration from Carol, the widow knew
he would soon come, and hence she was
continually OF the lookout for him. She
had promised her child not to say any
thing to him, leaving the whole matter
to her.
He came at last. The day was a lovely
one, with the birds singing amoug the
trees, and all nature looked beautiful.
Up the forest aisle came Roger, head
Ing straight for the old mill. His face
was pale and set, as though he had con-
quered in his battle, and yet hone knew
better than he how weak human nature
was when the hour Of temptation came.
The little lady saw him coming, and
while she spoke to him pleasantly her
eyes were watching his face. She saw
the traces Of anguish there, such as never
rested upon the countenance of guilt, and
when he had gone to seek Carol, after
her directions. she gave utterance to her
thoughts aloud:
IF that is the face of guilt, then my
judgment of character is at fault. Place
Roger Darrell before me and l should
have declared him the most honorable
Of men, noble and generous. Yet how
the man bellies his looks. If all is true,
then n greater villain never went I'M
hung. My Heaven give my dear girl
the strength to do what is right, no mat
ter what the pain may be-"
She had nc idea of what was in store
for her while thus thinking Of her child.
and yet a crisis in her own affairs was
N"P'NF "IIiVo'hiuS.
Although she could not comprehend in
full what the temptation would be, yet
she knew Carol must suffer, and her
heart went out to her poor child, upon
whom Heaven had apparently frowned so
early. Had it been possible, she would
have liked so much to have been with
Carol during this trial, but the girl
would not hear Of it, and the little lady's
heart told her also that it was best not
so.
In the midst Of her thoughts the lady
was startled by Il loud, authoritative rap
upon the door and, somewhat confused,
she hastily answered the summons.
When she opened the door she uttered'a
low, almost inaudible cry, and would
have fallen but for the support her hold
afforded her.
The curtain of fifteen years had been
swept aside by the hand of fate, and
those two who had loved and parted in
the past We're now brought together over
the grave of their only child's hopes.
Face to face stood Lawrence Richmond
and the wife whom he had not once seen
since that bitter parting.
CHAPTER Wv