The Carlisle independent., 1917-10-25

Leontine and Jerry See Visions Of
Happiness In the Fire.
had been to New York that the mar
rage had proved unhappy. He was
genuinely shocked, for he had thought
Leontine would forget Jerry and come
to love her husband. Then, when the
| months went by and no letter arrived.
John Walcott came to a resolution.
He meant to sell out and return
home, to seek his daughter and settle
| down in the land of his birth.
| But before the plan could be put
into execution startling information ar
rived. Sebastian was dead. a criminal,
a suicide, hunted by the police for
many crimes.
| He had left no will, and his entire
property had descended to his wife,
Leontine.
John Walcott started for New York
at once, to find his daughter. He put
up at an elegant hotel, the Mecca of
South Americans.
| He had arrived an hour before, and
now. having shaken the dust of travel
| off his clothes, he was seated in a
chair in the corridor, enjoying brief
rest before starting for police head
| quarters to prosecute his search. Sud
denly he heard his name called, and,
looking up, he perceived Jerry Car
son standing in front of him, his hand
extended.
| Walcott sprang to his feet in amaze
| ment that robbed him of the powers of
speech.
Its all right, SIR" said Jerry. Its
l and not my ghost. How long have
you been in New York;
"Wh-what are you-hcw did you-?"
Walcott began.
Its long story" answered Jerry,
but you shall know it all little later
Let me assure you that have proved
my innocence. Do you accept my
word for thatT
John Walcott looked into Jerry's
eyes and gulped.
Forgive me, my boy" he said husk-
lily.
$50 much that am going to ask you
to assist at my wedding and give the
bride away" said Jerry.
"Your wedding! Whenw
I'm ten minutes. It's to take place
upstairs. My wife is unfortunately
alone in the world and want you to
do this, in token of-well, you under
stand"
John Walcott blinked. Everything
was swimming through mist of tears.
II only wish it could have been Lee
ontine," he muttered, wringing the
young mans hand hard. "Yes, I'll do
it, Jerry. BY the way, you haven't any
information as to my daughters where
abouts? Since that scoundrel died I've
been sorely troubled"
Don't worry about her." answered
Jerry.
II understand you, Jerry" said Wal
colt. you'd hardly be expected to
have another mans daughter on your
mind at such time as this. Yes, I'll
come along"
Jerry led him up the stairs to the
second floor, where number of guests
were assembled in the corridor outside
a large reception room. Walcott was
little astonished at the magnificence
of the preparations. Evidently Jerry
had rich bride, for the room into
which he looked was one mass of roses.
Jerry led him toward the altar at the
end of the room, into which the guests
were now streaming. They waited
Then down the room, her train car
ried by pages, came the bride. John
Walcott gulped. How very like Leon
tine she was.
But when she reached the altar he
looked hard, uttered cry, and caught
her in his arms. 'Ieontine I" he stam-
mered. my dear-Leontine!"
And the bride, all needless Of prog
nostications as to a fearful wedding,
sobbed in her fathers arms. while Wal
colt wiped his own eyes frankly.
'This." he said solemnly, sis the hap
piest day of my life. God bless you
both of YOU"
Nor did he feel fathers natural
jealousy at the adoring look which
Jerry cast upon his sweetheart, now
his after so many years. For he UNI
derstood and shared their happiness.
[ THE END) ]