Year: 1874

She, in girlish delight, had accepted them,
and had taken more care in dressing than
usual. much to hriel's grief, who really
liked the pretty country girl, and resolved
to berricnd her if possible. Her joyous
ways were in great contrast to the sad air
of Mrs. Raymond, though much to the lat
tcr'S secret rejoicing.


But one evening Rose went to her room,
unlike herself, sitting for long time beside
her window, instead of at once seeking rest
as she had been in the habit of doing.


Then all of sadden she arose, and began
taking from her trunk few clothes which
she packed in small bag lying close at
hand Article after article was taken and
left then trembling hand traced Il few
words upon small slip of paper which was
carefully placed upon her bureau, in plain
sight of any one who might chance to enter.


The girls manner was like one deeply
excited about something. She seemed also
afraid Of being detected in what she was
every sound, and he. chin trcmbltd as her
shaking fingers fastened beneath it the
strings of her Bonnet.


But ut length her last task was completed.
Everything about the room wore the usual
look o.. ncatncSs, and a. the tall clock in the
kitchen struck the hour of midnight, Rose
Harrington opened her chamber door and
stepped out into the dark. narrow entry.
Then she stopped as if she had forgotten
something; for right in front Of her was the
chamber Mrs Raymond, and in it lay the
sleeping babe, the pure-t, brightest thing
about the old home She was 50 soon to leave
forever


She could not 90 without one kiss. She
would go very softly; so, without second
thought, she quietly made her way to the
little old fashioned crib, and, in spite Of her
self, a sob escaped her as she once more felt
the pressure of the little clinging, pinkish
palm within her own hot hand.


That sob aroused Ariel Raymond from
her light slumber. She raised herself on
one elbow inquiringly just as Rose closed
the door behind her; but her quick ear de-
tected the light step. while her woman : in
stinct told her that something was wrong.


Rising hastily. she hurried on her cloth
ing, keeping a watch lest the gate should
open and she not hear it and when Rose
Harrington passed down the narrow back
stairs of the old farmhouse. even her light
step awoke Il third party, who quickly COM
Had f,
on his clothing and crossed the entry 10 TIE
chamber Of Vivian Wallace before he cen
sured, lest his cousurc should be wrongly
dealt. Bat no 4; the room was empty, silent
a stray article about. Everything was neat
us usual. and still.


With bitter, bitter fear in his heart,
Lincoln Patten hurried down to the old
kitchen porch. hiding behind the great
wooden settle standing near. just in time to
escape the touch Of Mrs. Raymond, who was
searching for shawl hanging upon peg
in the porch. From his hiding-pacc he
could hear her hurried breathing, and hear
sob or two, while her chokcd words, ''Oh!
he will be gone before reach him What
shall do ?" filled him with sorrowful fore
bodings.


But she found her shawl at last. 1t was
hastily and carele~sly thrown over her head.
The outer door was opened, and in the dark
ness ran Ariel Raymond in search Of the
wayward Rose, unconscious that in her own
wol.a tbi,l porc,,, ,,-,. f,ll,winn


Over the fields, through the meadows,
until in the middle Of highway known as
"Lover's Haunt" so called on account Of
its loneliness, she came to an abrupt pause,
for close in front of her rapidly paced a man,
dressed in dark clothing. She knew him :;
she knew, too, his hleous character, for
aiar off she heard the steady stamp of horses
and was well aware that Vivian Wallace
was lying in wait for gentle, unsuspecting
girl, whose affections he had won by his
seeming grace and politencss.


Rose had not met him as yet. Ariel
knew that by his inpatient walk, and the
next moment her manner of defeat was
formed Pulling her shawl all the more
closely over her head, she crept slowly
toward him, till at last she stood, crouching
and trembling at her rash act, before his
very face.


With quick bound he threw his strong
arms about her, paring her flashed cheek
with his white, ShapelS fingers.


"My daring! | knew you would not
dsappoint me-"


NAY, but will disappoint YOU" And
in the flash Of the lantern Leld high above
her head her beautiful defiant face met the
astcnished gaze of Vivian Wallace. "Hither
have come in the dead Of night to protect
the honor of friend have left my child
in its sweet slumber, to follow her whom
YOU intended to force from father and
mother. She is nos yet here. Thank God
for that Your purpose is foiled-foiled-
foiled !"


And Ariel's sweet, mocking laugh rang
out cheerily, much to the relief of Lincoln
Patten, and the annoyance of the man be-
side her. He grasped her slender hand yio-
iently.


81 will snare ono of you, at any rate," he
shouted, forcing her toward the spot where
he had left his carriage


But it was no longer there The driver,
evidently afraid of being identified, had
driven away, and. finding no assistance at
b,,1 V;,i,n Wallace ,b =, -, 4