A Daughter of Maryland.

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume IV, Issue 1134, 1 November 1904, Page 4

A Daughter of Maryland.

CIIAI'TEi; X. A STHRX I'UHSUIT Oarroll Houthatd's wind win filled with conflicting thoughts as ho parted with Aurian Lancior mid went toward tho old Granary, "Thia soora? cuwaivly," ho said half aloud, as ho entered tho ruins, '■ It harm should fall to hor through this action of rnino I should never forgot that it was due to mo. Strango that I should gel into this miserahlo tangle, when my motives had been so purely peaceful. 1 had hoped to bring about a reconciliation between myself and tho Lanciors, and through thorn see if something could not bo dono to restore my old home toils former state, though nothing it seems can lift this cloud from my life enough to induce mo to go back there to livo. Father, I wish I could lift tho voil from those scenes. It seems to be the very worst would bn lighter tint; this dark wicoriainly, jN'ow I have go: into this plight over ut poi'i' old nogro and am more helpless than ever. How quiet it seems I ] wonder how slio has managed to stop them [torn coming down here. What if they should take it into their head to harm hrr? I uuirl not allow that. If the worst s'.ionld come it would bo better for me to give mysolf up," Without stopping' longer in ilio old mill lie silently left ilit pl .co by a rent in the wall down near 0 the river bank, to creep swiftly forward along 1110 edge of the stream, realising (hi ho was incurring considerable risk in doing so. But in his anxiety over tho fortunes of Auriau he felt it bis duty to be near in easo tho reckless riders should olTor to molest her. . " In their present state of mind they arc fitted for almost any deed of violence." By continuing along tho fringe of bushes lin'ng tho bank of tlio Mi, ho was enabled to get in plain sight of the horsemen without being seen by theiu, just as Ulandon urged his horso alongsido of Eslon Bornors. The appearance of tho young planter with tho gang was a surpriso to him; but its ho listened to them he felt very thankful for the hitter's prcsonco. When lit lust ho saw tho riders turn back, a look of relief camo over, his countenance, and immediately after liti had watchod Auriau mul her escoit of sight ho pushed his way as rapidly as possible, still keeping on in tho direction followed by tho river.

The fugitivo kept ahead until coining in Bight of tho Lash bridge, whero he stopped in a thicket of hazels. It seemed so stiange to him to bo hiding thus like somo criminal lleeing from justico that a sort of grim smile oversptead bis features, succeeded by a look of graver aspect. As slowly and silontly as tho great host of light would eventually lif; them, the dark wings of night sei tied ovor hill and valley, and the breathless evening air becaino sibilant with Nature's choristers ushering in with grand llourisbcs of song and melody tho now king of earth, From his concealment in some dark nook on tho rivor's bank, a catbird opoaed tho seronado, whilo the sharper feblo of crickots helped to awaken tho dusky scene, Then, as the morry Botigomkd and only tho mournful strain of a distant whip-poor-will broke tho solicitude, a myriad of tiny lights (lashed oiu from tho deeper depths, flittering hither and thither in bewildering array, until far and wido the grey gloom of night was starred and crinkled wUh'thoso silver lanterns.

Carroll Southard had already loft his concealment, and advancing with rapid steps ho soon reached tho road near tho bridge, when taking an opposite courso from that leading to Sylvania 110 hurric". along tlio highway, Ho had not gone far, however, before ho heard fooutops behind him, and lookiii}; back ho was surprised to find that ho was followed. Thinking at first that this pursuit was purely accidental, ho kept on gradually quickoning his gait as ha advanced, To his surprise the other did not allow him to increase tho spaco between them. Beginning to think that ho had reason to fear tho man, ho glinced back over his shoulders to get a look at him. It was too dark lo distinguish anyone with certainty. When ihis chase had continued lor noarly half a mile, ho resolved to turn and moot him. Ho might not be an onemv after nil,

Tims Carroll Southard tumid suddenly at bay, to calmly await tho stranger's approach.- Ho was not kopt long in suspense before out of the shadows of thd ovoning tho wolUknown figuro of Eslon Borncrs took Bhapo. " Good-ovouing," jbo greeted. "I did not droam it was auy ono I know or I should liavo should liavo slopped sooner." "That might depond upon who it was," was tho curl reply. '' It looks very much as if yon wanted to avoid mo hb long as you thought tlicro was a cliimco of doing BO,"

You speak in riddles, lam really ploasod to meet an acquaintance whero thore are so many strange faces," Ho extonded his hand as her spoke. Ignoriu» this tho othor cxclaimad:

"You know better than totalkliko that. Tlioro can bo no pleasure in a mooting botween you and I, Carroll Southard,' 1 "Mr Bernors, your words pain mo. I am sorry for the wound that rankles in your breast, but God knows it was no fault of uiino that that unhappy deed was dono, Did you hoar all of Uncle Frost's story " I did, and under tho ciicuwstauccs I was weak enough to lot you slip through my fingors. But now I demand juaiico." "In what way, Mr Bornors ? It my lifo will atono for tlio injury dono .you it io at your command, I cannot thiiik it will." "Thou you will givo 111:1 satisfaction " Not in tho way you imply. That would not lift tho shadow If you want my life —" " Stop 11 do not know how to deal with you, I have no wish to bo your murdoror. I believe you are a coward." '■ Wero I, I could not faco you so calmly with thoso words in luy mind,' Mr Bernors have you stopped to think of tho circumstances surrounding that unhappy allair supposing it was not alter all a delirious dream of a wink-minded old man ? I say, have you looked Ibis matter squarely in tho eyo and docided that my father was really to blanio for your mother's unliinolv fate?" "I'erhups not—■porhaps not! T liavo boon noarly crazed by the thought. It Hocms hard to have been thus robbd of a mother." "You havo my sympathy. My own mother was taken from mo before I was old enough to remember hor sweet faco; and then my poor falhor v/ont down with that cloud upon his fair name," Eaton Derners did not rrply at Mice, but ho walked licrvoimly back and forth ill the road. It was light enough to see that lie was undergoing great torture, Suddenly Iloslopped,exclaiming: I hear horsemen coming, Mr, Southard. If I mistake not you are a fugitive." " Under a moat iiiiloriunnto combination of circumstances I urn, When I got back to Graymonl I found a half dead negro, who acknowledged hn was escaping alavo. He told imcli a pitilul story that I was enlisted in his bclmlf to an 0 tent that I gave bimfood mid allowed him to remain in his concealment." " 1b he thero now?" " No."

By J, Waldo Brown

' ltunning off slaves is pretty b»dbut-L ncss, Thoy will hang you if thoy catch you." "Thoy shall nover do that—nt least alive. I bcliovo dead men are indifferent bo hanging," (To k continued,)