The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-03-01

conscious that heaven and hell had set themselves against her union wt1h Ravenswood. but that sne was bound by her promise ti1l she was set free by him ALst me Dc assured that he will free me" said she. "and you may dispose of me as you please. I cars
 The unnatural light in her eyes showed her parents that she was bent on her purpose. Lady Ashton dictated al etter which was dispatched 10 the Continent. and the gffl agreed that tf no answer arrived by st. Jude's Day she would siEn the marriage contract with Bucklaw.
 St Jude's Day came. and there was neither lstter nor news from Ravens wood. BhckIaw arrived at the castle. Lucy was led in. splendid in satin and Brussels lace. but with face as pale as the dead She signed with . hand that seemed to move over the paper biindly Just as che traced the last letter a heavy tramp sounded outside, comandfng voice rang out and ths Master of Raveuswocd flung the door open.
 His rich dress was travel -soiled. He had sword by his side and pistols in his belt His dark features were vast d by sorrow and bore the ghastiy fnarks of dfre illness Bnckiaw and Colonel Ashton started toward him fu- riously, but lie merely waved hfs hand and eaid: Patience! We shall hnd time and place for our dispute. Is that your handwriting. rnadamf" So BayfnR he held toward Lucy the letter which Lady Ashton had dictated.
 A faltering ives" seemed rather to breathe from her lips than to be utter cd.
 "And is that also your writIngT' asked he, pointing 10 the contract. Lucy looked at hInn fh tsrffned siiencs.
 The Master cf Raven9wood drew his sword and pulled q pistol from his belt. Murder me by number you pos- slbly may.''' said he .But viii not die without ample vengeance. if this young lady desires the restoration of her contract of her own free will. a withersd leaf is not mora vafuelesa in my eyes But ! must hear it from her own lips alone. Now choose--~choosa if you will have this hall flooded with blood or If you will grant me tho inter- view"
 Again the men interposed furiously. minister called on them to give the Master hts right. ana at last prevailed on them to let him speak to Lucy in the presence of himself and her mother.
 It was q bitter interview that fol- lowed: an interview in which Lucy could hardly utter ( word. At iaat. when the minister said that he would vouch on his sacred character that the marriage contract had been signed by her without duress. Ravenswo0d laid before her the broken half of the sold piece and took from hes hand the other which she loosened from her throat with trembling fingers. He threw it into the fire and tr0d on it with his heel. T have nothing further to say to you. Fnadam.s exclaimed he. turn Ing to the all but insenaibie girl. -cx- c6pt to pray to God that you may nos ot wiiful perjury" He turned on his heel and strode away. The next mo- rsaent the hoof beats of hts horse Bound-
 After the terrible scene Lucy was carried to her chamber, where she lay in stupcr for several days. She was reused to be dressed for her wedding with Bucklaw. which Lady Ashton was bent on hurrying through The bridal from near and far. The bride wss splendldly apparaled. and thefe was iiwht in her eyes which added co her rkfa beautv, A thousand joyous eNcta~ nations greeted the shining train on the way Co church and hack. In the castle a insignificant banquet awaited them, and after it the gay party thronsed into the great bad room Iecordin0 to etiquette, the bride should nave opened tho ball; but Lady Ash ton made apology on account or her dnughter's health. and offered her hand to Buckiaw.
 But just as she stepped forth to be- win the dance she vas co m1eh arnased by something that she saw