Northern Weekly Gazette. — 1903-12-12 (Stockton-on-Tees, Cleveland, England)

SYNOPSIS.  Ralph Cameron, a student .returning from Aberdeen, hurries to the side of the girl he loves only to find her betrothed fe the brother to whom he owes everyfixing, While the interview is taking place ▪ germ comes up, and presently a carriage la seen dashing to destruction round an @awkward curve over a bridge. Iturries to the rescue, and reoeivekstat 'Clanks of Owen Carstairs and his dauglitea, Vida_-Arriericens on a visit to Lord Lucan, his brother's master. Red Murdoch, who hates Alan Canaeron, overhears Janet Campbell tell her mother that she loves Ralph the best of the two. He plans to um the knowledge so dishonourably gained. Ralph Cameron is called upon by Mr Ca.rsteirs, and asked to visit Tarbet Lodge. On his fflay he has an enommter with poaehers, and is only rescued from death by Vida Carstairs and ler dog, Brian. Lord Luca.n aspire; to the hand of Mies Ca.rstairs, in the hope that her money will retrieve his ruined fortunes. Vida, however, Dares for Ralph, though her father, knowing nothing of this, approves the nobleman's suit. Ralph is convicted of poaching while at cellege, and rusticated. He tells his brother Alan that he has decided to give up his student life and ewe keeper. Lord Lucan gives him the pest of forreter at Tartest Lodge. While carrying on his duties Ralph falls in love with Vida Carstairs, to whom he has been instructed to give lessens in angliiig. Murdoch reveals to Alan his wife's love for Ralph, but Alan has faith in his brodee. Murdoch, who desiies to marry a wealhy widow, sets about breaking his plighted troth to Mary Dunnet, and is overheard by Ralph Cameron. Ralph and his brother Man have a scene about Janet, and Ralph decides to leave the neighbourhood. On his way home he has an conounter with Len i Lucan and is die mieed from his situation as keeper. He tells Vida Carstairs, who bee just ref used Lord Lucan, of his ho love for her, before setting out on tefirourney. At a. koely hut he oomes aerees an old woman who has met with an itecident and stays to look after her. Murdoch propooes to the widow, and the same night Mary Dunnet drewes herself. Ralph turns poacher in real earnest, making his home with old M 73 Brown. Here Vida comes to visit him to leg him to alter his ways. To ,sie her father she caiosents to receive Lean. He is proposing to her when her doe; Brian goos suddenly mad, and rushes upon them. Lord Lucite turns to ea.ve himself, and Ralph, who is peeing at the time, places himself between the dog and Vida, who has fainted. He is bitten, het telle Lord Lucas) to tako the credit of killing the dog. Later Vida discovers the deceit, and oontemes her love for the keeper, promising to wait for him until he returns to claim her hand. Flint, the financier, pays a most unwelcome visit to Lord .Liic.an to find out how soon his lordship is to marry the heiress, as he is getting impatient about his money. Just as the money-lender is announced, Lord Lucan receives a note from Vida cancelling their cieragernent. He is unable to conceal his cha—rin, and the whole story comes out. :Murdoch, who cells to ask for the boanae of the Castle Arms, is persuaded to trap Ralph Cameron on consideration of a large rewards. Vida Ca.rstairs visits Janet, hoping to induce Alan to become reconcilei to Ralph before he leaves. When Alan returns home Janet tells him of his brether's illness and impending departure, end he sets out at once far Mrs Browne cottage While on the way he beans a shot, said comes upon the dead body of Tiluelech. Ralph comes ninning up at the same moment, and the brothers each fall under the niisconeeption that the other has done the deed. Lord Lucan professes to have tonnd the knife used to stab the body near the spot of the murder, and as Ralph's initials are carved upon it., he is follow-d and arrested. Vida Ca.rsta,irs is passeig through the station while he ia waiting in etaitody for the traie Between this flieotllj eand the trial Lord Lucian and Mr Orist. airs do all in their power to bring Vide to commit to renew her engegair.ent to the former. At last, Lord Lucan offers to save Ralph's life if she will agree to give him op, by using his evidence as a witness.  CHAPTER X XIX (Cont in ued) . "I can see your explanation proved unsuccessful," he said laughing art the sullen frown with v(hich ',man heard his words. "Again I say you have to thank