Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-01-08
CHAPTER N.-(Continued.)

never seen SUCH an expression OF VIII,
ungovernable joy as swept over the fea-
lures Of Mrs. Randall when she uttered
those four words, so simple, and yet con-
tanning a 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
er feelings as her mind began to compre-
bend the true state of affairs.
Then a cry broke from her lips, a cry
so 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 had
died? I 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 l 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. Will
you come to me, or have you learned to
hate the mother that bore you? Speak
to me, my child; my heart trembies in an
ticipation. Heaven help me-"
There was not the least hesitation.
With a low, exultant cry of my moth
err" Carol sprang forward and clasped
her arms about the neck of the widow.
The strange feelings she had experience
ed at sight of Mrs. 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 if Carol
had never seen her mother.
Then they sat down to talk, first of
the strange chain of fate that had led
to this meeting, and then of the past.
Carol heard her mothers story as told
in the simplest manner, and then she
found no blame could be attached to he.
That her father had been blinded by
Jealousy there could not be the least
doubt in the world.
OF late Carol had begun to see her
father in a new light that was not as
agreeable as it might have been. For
merly she had loved him, and been pet
ted by him as one would expect an only
child to be, but all had changed on that
uuy Nhth ht u hcI otultu NY III oiuC
of Roger Darrell in the forest.
He had then shown what an ungovern-
able temper he possessed, and this had
not improved since. Then had come his
strange conduct in relation to her mar
rage 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-
temptible conduct in to- past, and her
sympathy was wholly with her mother,
whom 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 n 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
dreary 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 u 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.
The elder lady proved herself fully
equal to the emergency. She sprang mp
and hastily placed a large crock over the
candle. Then Carol felt herself hurried
into n closet.
A minute later she heard the widow
boldly open the front door. Before doing
so the lady had armed herself with Il
pistol. for she knew not what desperate
need there might be.
The moon had arisen since the time of
their arrival Mt the mill, being in its last
quarter, and 1t was easy to see the figure
of a young man standing outside.
well, sir, what Is it you wishg' de-
mandcd the widow. with some severity
and ut 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 moon vas
at his back she might have seen the smile
upon his face, as though he readily rec
ognizcd the little device so extremely
feminine.
~ seek Carol Richmond. but do not
think | come from her father. | have no
love for him in the first place, for he bit
terly wronged my father, though my
mother paid him back in full, and made
him curse her name. | am not what |
seem. VIII you tell Carol that Nora
Warner is here, and would speak with
her"
mora Warner? Surely | should know
that name; and are you her child? viii
strange things never cease? Never mind