The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-03-01

II am sore besct," she added, but
Will be true to my word while the ex ;
ercfse OF my reason In vouchsafcd to
me-
Ravenswood tried desperately to con-
vcy another letter to ller, but he had
only tho modification OF learning that
unknown but effective means had been
taken to prevent any possibility of
their correspondence. The mission
that had been coniidcd to him was Of
the highest Importance to those who
trusted him Honor forced him to go
without delay. He departed for the
continent with heavy heart.
Had Ravenswood known what WIS
going on at the castle. 1t is probable
that no consideration on earth would
have prevented him from forcing M
trance to the presence OF his sweet
heart. Lady Ashton bent every effort OF
her masterful mind to place perpet-
ual bar between the lovers by marry
Ing Lucy to the young Laird OF Buck
law, whose lands adjoined the Ravens
wood domain. She surrounded her daugh-
ter with spies. She told her that the Mas
ter Of Ravenswood had become engaged
to foreign lady with rank and for
tune, She sounded avery deep and
shallow OF her daughters soul and
i
old crone, ill-famed AZ n witch. who
worked on tho girls superstitIous ter
rors with fearful stories the doom
OF the Ravenswooda and the blight that
fell on those whom they loved Her
father inveeighed daily against tho
master. whose cause now was being
pressed bitterly In the British House OF
Peers by the Marquis. Her brother.
Colonel Douglas Ashton. broke out
constantly In bitter taunts and reyil-
| inGs.
Thus besct. her health and her mind
both began to decay. Her gentle.
yielding. helpless nature offered all
too good a soil for this bitter persecu-
ton. Lady Ashton saw her wondering
eye. her hectic cheek and her
frightened stare. and felt no great
CIR sympathy than that which hostile
engineer feels as no sees the towers OF
a besieged city reel under his artillery.
| AT last Lucy announced that she was
conscious that heaven and hell had
set themselves against her union with
Ravenswood. but that she was bound
by her promise until she was set free
| by him. Let me be assured that he
will FREQ me :" said she, and you
may dispose of me as you please,
care not how"
Il
ed her parents that she was bent ON
her purpose. Lady Ashton dictated II
letter which was dispatched to the
continent and the girl agreed that II
mo- anBwer arrived by st. Judc's Day
she would sign the marriage contract
With Bucklaw.
st. Jude's Day came, and there was
neither letter nor news from Ravens
wood. Bucklaw arrived at the cas-
tlc., the minister came with tho papers.
and Lucy WAS led in. splendid In sat-
in and BRUSSELS lace, but with face
as pale as the dead. She signed with
hand that seemed to move over tho
paper blindy. Just as she traced the
last letter. heavy tramp sounded out
side, a commanding voice rang out.,and
the Master OF Ravenswood flung the
door open.
His rich dress was travel soiled.
He had 4 sword by his side and piss
tolls In his belt. His dark features
were wasted by sorrow and bore the
ghastly marks of dire illness. Buck
law and Colonel Ashton started to-
ward him furiously, but lie merely
waved his hand and said: "Patience!
NE shall find time and place for our
dispute. Is that your handwriting. ma
damn" SO saying he held toward Lucy
the letter which Lady Ashton had die
Ia ted.
A ALTERING Eyes" seemed rather to-
breathe from her lips than to be ut
"And is that also your writing"
asked lie, pointing to the contract.
Lucy looked at him In terrified silence.
Tho Master OF Ravenswood drew his
sword and pulled a pistol from his belt
murder me by numbers you possibly
may" said he but I will not die
without ample vengeance. II this
young lady desires the restoration OF
her contract of her own free VIII,
withcrcd leaf is not more valueloss IN
my eyes. hut 1 must hear It from her
own lips alone. Now choose-eh oosa
sc you will have this hall flooded with
blood or Il you Will grant me tho inter-
view"
Again the men interposed furIoualy.
aided by Lady Ashton. But the old
minister dAlled on them to give tile
Master his right and at last prevailed
on them to let him speak to Lucy In
the presence of himself and her mother.
1t was a bitter Interview that fol-
lowed-an interview in which Lhcy
could hardly utter a word At last.
when tho minister said that no would
youch on his sacred character that the
marriage contract had been signed by
her without duress, RavensWood laid
before her the broken half OF Tue Suiu
piece, and took from her hand the
other, which she loosed from her throat |
with trembling fingers. He threw It
into the fire and trod on 1t with his
heel, II have nothing further to say to
you, madam" exclaimed he turning to
the all but insensible girl, except to
pray to God that YOU may not become
u worlds wonder for this act Of wilfuli
perjury" He turned on his heel and
strobe away. Tho next moment the
hoof beats OF his horse sounded down
the road,
After the terrible scene Lucy was
carried to her chamber. where- she lay
in a stupor for several days, She was
reused to bo dressed for her wedding
with Ruoklaw. which Lady Ashton was
bent on hurrylng through. The bridal
guests assembled in gallant troops
from near and far. The bride was
splendidly appareled, and there was a
light in her eyes which added to her
pale beauty. A thousand joyous ex-
clamatlons greeted the shining train on
the way to church and back. In the
castle magnificent banquet awaited
Az, ~ a