The Democratic advocate., 1905-02-25

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Harry started for Carton quite early in
the morning, it being drive of some
twelve miles
He told his uncle that he should stay
with an acquaintance Of his that night,
and, with pleasant and good morning, he
drove off
''Ah the young rascal, - muttered Mr..
Clifton, turning from the library window,
''he thinks no one can plan but himself ;
but we shall see who will win. -
He walked the floor for some time in
deep thought, then ringing the bell, he
ordered his horse and zig and drove furi
ously away.
1t was nearly six O clock in the after
noon when we again glance in upon the
different actors of our little tale.
Mr. Clifton had returned and was busy
at his writing desk.
Let us look at the note he had Just fin
ished; it read thus
DEAR HARRY: Fred Miller was thrown
from his horse this afternoon and seriously
hurt and they want yon to 60 over immedi-
| ateiy, and not knowing when you would be at
home, thought would send Philip after you.
Your uncle,
II. G.
! ''There,' he exclaimed, ''of course he
will 90, and before he finds out one cheat
another will claim the prize. Ha! hal hal"
He then called Philip, the coachman,
aud told him to saddle horse and ride to-
wards Carton, and if he met Harry to give
the note to him.
II wonder,'' he muttered, "what the
old lady will say. have hardly thought
of her today; the fact is, l don care what
she says. Let me once call BERTHE my wife,
and will snap my fingers at the whole OF
them.
Meanwhile Mrs. Horton was sitting in
her room before the large mirror, busily
arranging her hair
A slight application of rose and white
had made her complexion as fair as Ber
ties. She looked nervous and uneasy and
there was an expression Of almost regret on
her face
II know l AM doing wrong she NUT
tered, "but | cannot stop; something
seems hurrying me forward
Now Just one look at Berthe.
She and Minnie, together with Mr.
Carroll, the pastor of Bolton, and Mr.. and
Mrs. Miller were seated in the parlor, for
Minnie insisted that the ceremony should
take place there instead of at the parson
age.
Very beautiful looked BERTHE, with the
soft bloom on her cheek and happy light
in her eyes.
"Oh! won't there be a scene, BERTHE,
when you get home, suddenly exclaimed
Minnie, black eyed, laughing sprite of
seventeen. "Mr Carroll, Fred and l are
going over to see the fun And she clap
ped her hands and laughed merrily in an
ticipation.
''There he isr' shouted Fred, who had
been standing by the window, and he DASH
ed out of the door and down the steps to
meet Harry, who at that moment drove
up.
"Why, Fred, is that you?'' said Harry,
astonished.
"Of course it is. Who did you take
me for?' returned Fred.
"Why," answered Harry, ''Philip met
me several miles back, with note from
uncle saying you were badly hurt
"Hurtr' echoed Fred ''The old gen
tleman must have been misinformed; but,
never mind, we will clear that mp bye and
bye; come, for [ am anxious to see you
throw yourself away
Harry laughed and followed Fred into
the house, where for the present we will
leave them.
ga quarter to seven" murmured Mrs.
Horton, consulting her gold watch; ''it is
time to Co., and, drawing veil over her
face, she stole downstairs, and across the
garden, pausing near the lower gate.
In few minutes she heard the sound
of wheels, and, opening the gate, she saw
a tall manly figure, and, short distance,
a horse and chaise.
els that you, Harry? she called, in a
suppressed tone.
eyes, darling returned the figure;
''all Is ready, cone.
She allowed herself to be lifted into the
chaise, which drove rapidly away.
They soon stopped before small house,
which Mrs. Horton at once recognized as
the residence of an obscure minister.
The room into which Mr. Clifton ush-
cred the supposed BERTHE, was in comph-
.noa with his wisbes-for he had seen the
minister that afternoon-very dimly light
ed.
For that, Mrs. Horton thanked her
lucky stars. -.
There were only the minister and his
wife in the room, and each felt certain to
remain unrecognized by the other.
The ceremony commenced without de-
lay, and they were soon pronounced hus-
band and wife.
Mr.. Clifton slipping well filed purse
into the hand of the clergyman, conducted