Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1904-01-20
\ SUDDEN RETURN


nor did Edgar Carroll. Irene's cheek
grew paler and her step less elastic,
and anxious friends began to shake
their heads and hint of failing health.
Her father became alarmed. Physi-
clans counseled travel and change of
air. The experiment was tried, but
without perceptible benefit.
During the absence of Mr.. Hayne
and his daughter stranger had taken
up his abode in the place of their resi-
dence
Who or what Mr. Newcome was or
whence he came nobody pretended to
know, yet every man, woman and child
was ready to youch for his respecta-
bility. He was a bachelor and lived
alone, rarely appearing in society, yet
often enough to avoid the appearance
of stunning it.
His habits of seclusion were soon
measurably abandoned. He was con-
stantIy meeting Irene, first by seem
ing accident at the houses of such
friends as she was accustomed to visit,
then by direct calls upon herself.
At one of these interviews the con-
versation turned upon Australia, where
Mr.. Newcome had spent some years.
In the course of it he mentioned
name which caused Irene to start.
Edgar-Edgar Carroll! You knew
him, thenY' she managed to say, with
effort.
HE was my most intimate friend"
replied Mr.. Newcome, with seeming
carelessness, at the same time scan
ming keenly her agitated face-"that
is, until he married"
Married.
ct was considered good match, /
believe" Mr. Newcome added, pre-
tending not to notice the effect of his
words. 1.-THE lady was wealthy colo
nist's daughter, an only child, and all
that"
The blow fell with cruel force. For a
moment Irene's faculties were stun
ned.
Some months later, when Irene's ia
Their limited that Mr. Newcome had
asked permission to become her sutton
and that his own sanction had been
already given, he was agreeably sur
prised at the manner in which the an
nouncement was received.
By sacrificing herself she could save
her fathers fortune, and, for herself,
what did it matter now?
1t was the evening before the we'd
ding day, and Mr.. Newcome had called
to pay his last visit as Wooer.
Irene'S face was paler than usual,
and her manner was more disturbed,
but her father was in too high spirits
and Mr.. Newcome too polite to notice
the change. They were in the midst
of an agreeable chat when visitor
was announced, who insisted on seeing
Mr.. Hayne alone.
In no gracious mood Mr.. Hayne pass
ed into an adjacent apartment, whence
excited voices were soon heard.
At the sound of one of them both
Irene and Mr.. Newcome started to
their feet.
80 the villain is here!' exclaimed
Edgar Carroll, thrusting open the door
But Irene's white face met his angry
gaze, and he stood motionless.
Newcome for the moment had be- |
lieved himself in personal peril and
had shrunk back coweringly, but a |
moments reflection assured him that |
in the presence of Mr.. Hayne and his
daughter he had no cause for fear.
I'm the distant land to which we had |
both gone in quest of gold this man and |
myself became friends. We shared the /
same tent and had no secrets from /
each other. In treasure seeking l /
proved the more fortunate of the two, |
and my gains had already reached the
point / had proposed they should at
tain when my friend suggested a visit |
to some unexplored islands of which he
pretended to have heard rumors and of /
whose wealth we might become the
sole possessors.
I'VE fitted out a small vessel and aft
er a voyage of several days anchored
off a thickly wooded island Leaving
the crew on board, my friend and my
self went ashore and began our search.
In a secluded spot l was felled TO the
earth by a blow from behind and left /
for dead.
ION rgaining consciousness 1 found
myself alone. [ ran to the shore, but
the vessel was no longer in sight.
"One day l deserted a sail in the dis
lance. The sight made me wild with
Joy. | shouted and signaled and by ev-
cry means in my power sought to make
my presence known.
But still the ship held her course.
Frantic with despair, / rushed into the
waves, determined to swim toward her
while strength held out, when at
length she shortened sail, and l saw a
boat lowered from her side.
Il conducted my deliverers to the
treasure l had found. There was
enough for us all. returned to find