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

When Mrs. Randall entered the room,
the mind Of the young girl leaped again
to the mystery that had engrossed it be-
fore Roger Darrell made his appeal for
life and love--her fathers picture turned
with its face to the.wall. -
What was there in the hidden past of
this still handsome woman that connect
ed her with Lawrence Richmond?
The widow had not even heard Carols
name from Roger, he having only stated
the bare facts, and she had consented at
once to aid him, her soul recognizing the
injustice of such a forced marriage.
Carol possessed a part of her fathers
determined character, and she did not
long beat about the bush. Though her
question apparently startled the widow,
there crept a shadow of pain into her
face and her voice trembled as she said:
People often turn to the wall the pic
lures Of those dead. He is dead to me-"
WAS he a great friend, then 2" asked
Carol, breathlessly, her eyes glued upon
Mrs. Randall's face.
HE was more than that, child. All! 1t
Is a sad thing to have the one you love
best upon earth turn upon you and revile
you WlOhSluiy uSSuoC yOu VI tiut az
which your heart recoils in horror; to
send you from him as he would a leper,
and at one fell sweep, wipe out the hap
py past. l loved him." she continued, in
a low, sad tone, "as man was never
loved. l have loved him so truly that l
have forgiven the great wrong he did
me, though my pride would never allow
me to seek his presence again. Upon the
dear graves in the sunny South l have
shed bitter tears, but when | think how
l shall meet them above, where the truth
will be made known, and my heart shown
to be as spotless as the marble shaft
that marks their grave, I take hope
again."
1t was at this point that the first CLEAN
of the light that was soon to overwhelm
Carol, came into her mind. She could
only sit there with all her senses strain
ed, drinking in the sweet voice of the
widow and await the coming shock.
'"Trouble and sorrow have been my
lot. All! / never thought / should sur
vive that dreadful night, and many a
time since | have looked back to shud-
der and feel my heart grow cold with
the horror that took possession of 1t. He
turned a deaf ear to my pleadings-my
vows-and cursed me, but for that l have
forgiven him, for l was innocent. His
curse went home. God punished him, ph,
how terribly, and yet at the same time
l had to suffer with him, for were they
not my darlings? Not one was left; ne
alone remained to curse the blight that
had fallen upon his home, the desolation
that had robbed him even as he had rob-
bed me-"
All this while Carol had been utterly
unable to speak "a word, but now she
recovered her breath.
"In heavens name, who are you, and
what relation do you bear to Lawrence
Richmond" she gasped, her eye ahame
with eager expectancy.
II was told afterwards that the courts
had made us strangers, but for eight
years he called me by that dearest name
on earth-wife. | am nothing to him
now save the wretched woman from
whom he was divorced, and who loves
him still in spite of her wrongs; bu'
why do you ask? Your face is white
and your hands tremble. You advance
toward me-you hold out your arms. No
II must be a dream, for they all sleep un'
der the magnolias. Girl with the eyei
and face OF my dead Carol, what relation
does this man bear to you?" and she tore
down the hidden picture, holding it II
front of Carols face. ..
HE -is-my-father!'
ITO be continued.)