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THE CARROLL COUNTY TIMES. VOL. XIV. ADRIAN. BY OTHO HDAJJIj. CHAPTER IV. RBFERS TO INCIDENT* AND OPINIONS WITH A DECIDED LEANING TO THE LATTER. IN t WHICH THE TONGUES OF TA TILERS HAVE FULL SWAY. After Adrian bad departed in company with the minister, Mr. Wade, many were the conjectures in the town of Rocklyn as to the object of his abscence, of which he had said nothing, except to those personally concerned. The repu tation of Hie town for news gather ing and the upholding spirit of “Omnium gatherum” would be at a sad discount should quiet and silence be observed upon this head. Not that any suspicions of a depre ciating character were for a mos ment entertained by any of the vih agers, but a lively zeal, cultiva ted by years of habit, of knowing other people's business, was the up permost passion in the community. After the preacher returned, the townspeople learned that Adrian had loft, by the southern route, (as lie had told Mr. Wade he would ♦■kmbtless go on that line) for the west, where bo would spend a week or more on business and pleasure. It also leaked out that Mr. Sterling had taken in charges package from Jones A Carpenter on his trip, but nothing could be ascertained either as to the nature of thav package or .the office he had to fulfill in con veying it, in spite of the efforts of jSwiint, the pill and powder dealer and Harris, the “picture taker” in sounding both the firm and Adrian’s friends in reference to that matter of public interest. Ellen kept quietly to herself, nearest her lov ing and trusting heart, the inter view of the night previous to Ad rian’s departure, and no one, how ever sly in raking up news to tell, ever dreamed of the interest she felt in his absence or of her prayer ful longing for his safe and speedy return. Slie could not quell the ri sing feeling that had pervaded her heart at the moment when Adrian informed her that he should ’ E and it seemed to be a foreboding of something evil which should wreck her sweet hopes. Her tears were in secret and for that the more of a love not expressive easily changed. Prof. Estes walked into IJ» study the evening after Adrian’s departure, took from a rosewood case in a corner his old Cre mona and, taking up the bow. drew it across the strings, sending forth notes of swelling harmony which bore with them strains of memory of better times past and gone. Ellen came in and seating herself at the piano touched the keys in accompaniment to Hie soft and thrilling chords of her father’s violin. They were both lort for awhile in blissful reverie while the music floated out upon the perfumed spring air. When sor did airshad been played, the pro fessor, laying away his violin,spoke to Ellen in the manner he general ly used when the past presented to his mind its extended panorama of views, variegated in light and shadow, tint and hue. “Ellen, Adrian is not here to night. 1 would like to talk with him. I feel inspired. My imag ination seems to reach out into 1 spheres ctherial. I feel almost the boy of my school days, and now I have been thinking of that ‘■School boy «|>ot Wr never can forget Tlio’ there ne are forgot.” If Sterling were here I could give his appreciative mind the ben efit of lucid thoughts matured by years of study and contact with (hr world.” “Yes, father, I suppose you heard that Ad— Mr. Sterling has gone away.” “Ob, yes—to the west for a sow weeks. I was only wishing to en gage in conversation with him in ■our usual line—poetry, art, music, etc. He is a genius, that boy—■ so versatile, so fascinating in < very particular. But, I’m sleepy, and shall retire. Good night, dear.” The old gentleman returned to his room to gaze for a half hour at a painting of a face ever the dear cst on earth to him, the wife of his youth, the mother of his lovely daughter. Ellen, after a perusal of old pic tures and gems picked up from East to West in her travels, sought the rest so needful for restoring lost strength. One evening about sunset when the usual crowd of men and boys were gathered around the window of the post office awaiting the ar rival of the mail from the railroad, and discussing topics of local and political interest, engaging in hu morous dialogue and laughing at ! the sport of two boys on the green near by, the hack drove up and upon the seat with the diiver was a stranger. A rare treat this foi Rocklyn* It afforded curiosity j for the present time and gossip for the ensuing week, and a general feeling of good will extended to the dreumy eyed indi vidual as he lighted from the hack, for the very reason that his appear ance in the toum was gratitiing to the inhabitants, as a ripple m the dull current of their history. Upon the following day after the arrival of the stranger it was reported that he wu an eastern capitabst, and had an eye on propcrJv in the town with the intention of buying, and that he was ready for proposi tions to trade in real estate. This was recommendation enough for th« stranger, who gave his name as Jocelyn. The few land and bojißC owners, of that town were ready to mauu tho acouaintance of u i- . . t any individual who gave promise of buying or renting. Jocelyn, with a ready flow of wit aud «<i» vasy manner, graceful motion and Foully preposscsing countenance, easily grew into the good will of the citizens of the village of Rocklyn, and as he j&ciftgd to have plenty of money, he was tlw Wtfrp readily received, at his own jnto the arnu of society, after prelimi nary outs of frolic and pleasure with “the boys.” The girls were fairly wild over the rich young as he was known, lie was almost lionised, uffcr his initia tion into the entertainments aiij sociables in the community. Jocelyn had been ?n Rocklyn two weeks when hints commenced to flwfr around, softly at first, grow ing into g;i.d even into gen eral discussion that it seemed very suspicions from the circumstances —really there is no other alternative—perhaps Adnan Sterling has turned —has overgone his bound*} in .short, made off with certain funds placed io nU by Jones A Carpenter. Evidence seemed to convict him of wilful larceny after trust. That certainly the lightest name that the crime could be ctdiud. The following conversation took place in front of the public square between a choleric merchant with a corpulent body and short legs and a gaunt person whosd biuiiie«£ it was to deal out nostrums and fluids to the rustics. It was all “in a confidential” way, yon know, and not to be meniUHicd { bus some how it got out, and found its way first into the channel of gossip around town and then into the Rocklyn Gazette, whose enterprising and youthful editor plaped such prefixes and affixes as best suited his some what luxuriant imagination: Redden, the choleric said, ques- Roningly to the drugman: “Well, wiuit ouh U dm fr.nth of the busmess? 1 don't see how this fellow Sterling can get out of it any way. Do you think he has any to E-Oiiie clear?” “None whatsoever,” said flip jonng gentleman of the spatula, “None whatever. I was over at , ,J/>ncs A Carpenter’s yesterday eve iiin* and Iwd it this way, and mind you, this comes that Sterlin’(and oy the way I never had no confidence in him no how) CARROLLTON. GEORGIA, FRIDAY MORNING, OCTOBER 2 1885. was going to Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas, on some business for him self, and that the firm of J. A C healing him speak of hi* expecting to take the trip, pioposed to give , him something to do for them, so you understand.” i “Yes, what about that?, [taking ( a chew of navy plug.] Well, he had some deeds for lands in Kansas belonging to the firm and these deeds were to be executed by Sterling as agent for the firm: He was to go, as he said himself, the Southern route by Sr. Louis, and so on, and the lono <3 and short of it is he fixed up the deeds, got the money and skipped, and for my part I am very sor ry for his poor mother, because I J know it will be a grieving thing to ' her, a grieving thing certainly,” h Yes, *o it will, but the good wo man hadn’t ought to have nu anxie ty nor trouble coming from the acts of her son, if he be a thief.— Down with thieves! Ever since that old starved nigger woman stold those cheese from my counter when I was out eating watermelons with yon and Judge Snipkins I been down on thieves more than what 1 \vas bpfqre.” “Well spoken. There equips preach er Wade. Maybe he'll Jiave some thing tr, say regarding the crime lately disclosed.” The last clause was said in a high key and withan unmistakable attempt at effect and haughtiness. >‘GQjQd morning gentleman, if I truthfully surmise, you tvp;’p speak ing of the supposed—the charge against Adrian Sterling which is the subject of gossip here at pres ent?” “Yes sir,’’ interposed the first speaker. And here a repetition of the poqvernation, for the benefit and behalf of Mr. Wade took place.— When they had expressed their opinions freely as to what had ta ken place with and by Adrian Sterling ij; his absence from this town, Mr. Wade, being able to listen silently no longer to theii imputations against one whom he thought incapable of such acts, as imputed to him, drew himself up to his full height, pmqfol h»v thumb* in the arm holes of his white vest and spoke out plainly: ‘You may say, gentleman, what you please about Adrian Ster ling, but 1, for one, have not be iiovwq pf this charge against him, and 1 feel assured all will come out well, proving him inno cent in the end,” and with this he strode up the street leaving them to stir their filthy pudding of scan did. l lcr at bcr were not long in being apprised oi mo opinion that was finding its way into the minds of almost every one in the town. The poor girl could not hide her grief at such a scan dalous report, but she felt that- ail would c M mp right when the truth was known. She spent many hours in her room shedding tears of sorrow for the unhappy ill fqHllpc pf the absent one. but no one except her father knew by outward appearance the inward pain which threatened the peace of his sweet daughter. Jfe fplj that something must be done to keep her from drooping in dcspaii, and he encouraged young people‘to visit his house often.— Many were the entertainments giv en there within two months after suspicion first rested on Adrain Sterling’s character and Ellen be came more lively and less melan choly as the pleasant phases of lite wolc ever before hpr until shp really lost her tears, seeing them soften into smiles on her very cheeks in the light of surrounding friends and admirers. Still there was, through ail the growing doubt, a feeling deep down in her tender heart that she could love no human being as she had Adrian Sterling. Philip Jocelyn sued for her de votion. She ‘did not encourage him at first, but so persistently did he press his suit that she com menced to give way, weakened before his mesmeyic influence and allowed him to hope. ~ letters from the banking Co. to , which Adrian was to deliver the deeds came to Jones A Carpenter ; that the deeds had been executed ; in the name of Adrian Sterling, > agent, and the money had been paid into his hands. This was ; a hard one. There was no construc tion to he placed upon it except 1 the very worst. We who know how innocent Ad ian is of any such villainy will see how a revelation of matters in their connection affected Rocklyn’s populace. CHAPTER V. REVERTING TO ADRIAN’* SERIOUS ILL NESS AND RECOVERY, AND TO OTH £R MATTERS THROWING I.IGHT ON DARK WORK. ■ When the physician who had takpn Adrian tip ipjd removed him, with the negro man’s help, to the cabin sonic quarter of a mile away fcom the scene of the accident, bad applied such restoratives and ban* dage* as he thought proper for bis patient, he left the negro to watch over him while be made a journey through the darkness to bis home to procure a conveyance upon which to remove the wounded ipan, Re returned within ap hoip-, L>ring- i ing a spring wagonin the bed of which a matrc*s was placed for ’ the patient, A tall, brawny man i accompanied and lent his aid in f placing Adrian easily into the wag- i on. The company then proceded I slowly down a road for two miles, 1 when coining to an imposing brick 1 residence pi 4 gyoyc fhey baited 1 and the doctor opening the gate ran up to the door, pushed the I shutter inside and cried out, as if 1 speaking to those within, 1 “Here we are!” , t He was answered by the appear- : ance, in Cottonjiomespvm, oi two ladies, one a young and pretty girl 1 of perhaps eighteen btbnmore, <m«.l < the other a middle aged lady ver- c ging on forty, I “Mercy mo alive!” said I lie elder s lady to the doctor, “where is the t poor maN? Aint he dead, and his skull broke? How could be live? There William, do bring him in, {1 ypH kpysp’ r The gentleman designated as s William would have more appro- 1 priatcly borne the name of “Bill,” t and the domestics on the plantation t had recognized this fact and enjoy ed the privilege of applying th” t \ appellation to him. But to re- 1 turn — 1 “Yes, mother,” said the doctor, “we will hasten to bring him in, for he needs the tender care of friendly hands, backed by |he sym pathy ’of orc who has held such offices over the broken bones and lacratcd bodies of many in times past and gone.” “Yes, you know Charles, that when you were a toddling boy and your father, Eben Godfcy, a Cap’n in the— ; th Georgia, how I watched over them dear^soldier —oh,s dear, it makes my heart sad to think of of them days. They was times, indeed they was.— And the boys always said I was a hand nt nursing; so they did.” “I remember very little of those times though, you being so Topng. Lct’g proceed to place this young gentleman on the bed. There Bill; lightly now: a jar might be fatal. A biokcn head is» a serious mnttor, and I sen fever rising now. Get a cloth and dampen with cool water. Now we have him com fortably placed, if there is really any comfort for him in any way he may be placed. Take out the mules, Billy, and, Jake, you will have to stay in the room, so I sup pose mother had best provide a bed on the floor for you, as we will need water occasionally, and other • things which will require your ser -1 vice*.” Tiiese orders Dr. Charles God** sey gave in a very authoritative : manner, becoming to his dignity a* I a professional gentleman just ens tering seriously upon his work. The following weeks were inter spersed with varying symptoms for , the patient. Hopeful at times, and at others almost despairing of > recovery. Dr. Charles and his 3 mother and sister watched at hi* r bedside day after day, as faith -1 fully as though Adrian Sterling , were a brother. They grew Ito look anxiously into the J face which had grown familiar to • them, for any symptoms which might point to a change for the better, and the matron and her daughter seeing every day the hon est' face, handsome in spite of the wild look in his eyes when shaken with delirium, affectionately kept the vigil over the sick one until they were at last rewarded by the change brought about by the united efforts of the good people with whom fortune had thrown him. When lie had regained sufficient strength* aftetf three months hard struggle with the dread sickle-bear er, to converse with t|io&o mound him, he was given a detailed ac* count of his providential escape from an untimely grave, his slow recovery, and his present wherea bouts. He told them no words he could utter would bear with them sufficient strength to prove the gratitude he felt toward and all of them, that health and strength ever came fully back, he should endeavor to reward them, and if ho po.qld not do so in any way there wa* one whoso all seeing eye had discerned the pure motives in their tender hearts for their caring for an unknown man whose only recommendation to tliajr kindness was the sad omidiiion, in which he had been found. Mr, Godsey and Alice had heard him silently with the tears flowing from their eyes in joy at seeing him cheerful and knowing that their efforts had not. uuown awqy ypqn «u ungmteful object. He learned that his valise had not been found, that they did not even kno«.v lii;< nnino (uml tk.G w<iA clear to his mind when lip. ’.yiiiem berod tl'.rtl ho had placed every scrap of paper from hi* pockets in to his valise the hour he left the city of A ) knew no way of arriving at any idea of his identity, and that the whole qr his ! rescue Irom death had been kept secret with the family, the doctor holding it advisable not to allow the neighbors or the newspapers to get news of it. The week of bis w,;s spum m thought, ruminating upon what course to pursue when he should depart from his new friends, lie knew that the people of Rocklyn would the rpasp,!} qi his long absence; that Jones A Carpenter would suspect foul play on his part until he could see them; that Ellen would he deep ly anxious until despai r tore the chords of love of him from her heart; that his mother, man than all remembered, would with grips if hq did no.t speedily return. In a thousand ways he accounted’ for the disappearance of his valise, It might have bequ, ddstroyed in the fire. Could have been stolen by some one in the confusion, etc., had a thought of Vv ilberly never for once entered his mind. Wilberly, who had picked up the paper chopped the car track; but read and remembered, for his wily purposes of evil, names which he knew must b,q familiar to Adrian, had approached him and succeeded in drawing from him an account of affairs in Rocklyn and had designed the plot of robbing him of the val uable papers than in his pcusea&ion. Net one thought of this design ing scoundrel, so bland in his con versation, so seeming free at heart and so agreeably intrusive upon the private afSirs our hero ever entered his mind. But an eye had seen the move ment* of that lawless criminal. A remembrance of other acts com* witted by him had Ramped Ids fea tures (dearly In the mind of one in dividual who witnessed ex citing time though it was. his ner vous movement in taking the valu able package, the stare when ga zing at the surrounding objectsand the look of assurance that came qver his face when he saw Ad r ian placed with the dead. s ( CHAPTER VI. - THE RETURN HOME. IMPRESS!*-NS ON ■ ARRIVAL. Coming out from his room, one > bright morning, Adrian announced , hi* intention of departing from the loved friend* around him to go back to home and duty, and to face what he knew must be the effect of his long absence. At the breakfast table ho talked to the family of their kindness to him, and of how grateful he was, at which the kind lady ami her pretty daughter burst into tears at once, and muttered out between sobs that he had been “so very badly hart, and oh we never expec ted yon to got well, but God saw fit to spare you, and how glad we aie that wo were able to help yon, and we do know that you are wor thy of anything we did for you.” ~ „ o J-'-. Such tear*. They were the sav -0 ory sweetness of sympathy and kindly regard, coming from loving hearts. When a man is by any set ' of circumstances made ih<? subject 1 of such tears, and such words he is ? indeed fortunate—his heart mav 1 respond as did Adrian Sterling's 1 when he arose from his scat, and > one of Alice’s and one of I hoi mother s hands, his eyes gleam*- 1 ing with dewy drops from the ehiystal fountain of feeling, he i said: 'i ou have been like mother and - sister tQ me, Igo now to clear up all traces of suspicion that may rest upon my name, and as yon know the truth, I shall be able to come again and be with J’-'b always loving aud nlwav s O M giatefm. [law deeply down in my the memory of these dear faces and the kindness of these gentle hands are impressed the world can never knew* for words by pen or toiygue would fall futile in ta portray the happis ness I have experienced in my sick- ( ncss.” As a brother to loving mother and sister he stooped and kissed the tear* from their cheeks and arisinir arranged »o go away. The doctor accompanied him to the railroad and left him with the parting injunction: “Say, ‘Ad,’ don’t poke that bro ken head of youi'i out at the win dow, a*’ somebody will mistake this business for a cattle train; —Good bye, old boy; there; write us all about yourself, and Bill must have his ‘nod.’ ‘v.;m you take a hint?’ [lt Wao one of Bill’* phrazes. “You may take a hint or a nod, jest whichever yon please,” and had been the cause of groat fun to Adrian. ] As the train moved along on the return homeward Adrian sat half dreamiu<? of what had happened to him since he was last upon the road that now shortened toward home. The accident; the sickness; tho convalescence; loving hands; Bill’s eccentricities; Jake’s fish bas kets; asleep. When the mail hack on which our traveler was riding approached by the winding hill, the town of Rocklyn, as it bumped and jerked along over loose rocks and worn ruts in the road, he was thinking of what should meet his sight as they pas/ed around the bluff into the first long street. Perhaps it would be Mr. Wade, or it might be law yer Han bury, or maybe Prof. Es tes, or mother, or indeed most any body, and very likely nobody.— About this time the bluff was reached, and as the driver whipped his mules into a trot, his brandy voice calling out “Geat alang, thar, Mike—Sews!” to the left, climbing a rail fence with a gun on his shoulder Adrian saw the figure of a man whom he had a slight remembrance of meeting somewhere before. He was soon too far away to see anj longer the dark features of this tall man, but he attempted to call to mind the face and re member, if he could, under what circumstances he had seen that form. He could not make it out. “Hello, if yonder aint that fel low Sterlin you may shoot my head Ctoftfi/t’Kcl 0/4 T/iiJd (Muaui Faiirtk Page.. WSRsia [ffiJi 1 RTlfl IWB ? I y/'' xgsy * Binfl&i W BEST TONIC. ? This mediefne, ccwnbln'ng Iron whh pnre Vegetable tonics, quiekly and eotsoieeeiv < -res nyepepota, Indl«r*tfo ß , WeaJkooM. I mpure Hl.mhL Y» a.!arla,ChHla and ere. It is an unfiillnc remedy for IWsWW aftbe Kldnojn and ijvrr. It is Invaluable for Dhweae* pccnNar to Women, and all who lend »edentory Hves i.doee not injure the teeth, can** henAaebe,er produce de. It enriches and pitrlflee th* blood. rttamhU** the aprrtlte aids the s-srimnation of *ed rr- Heartburn and Belching, and strencra en* the iDuacle* and nerve* For Intermittent Fevres, Ixueitnde, of Fncrg} , Ac., jt has no equal. P7‘”’ne hns nbo Tt wade mark *ud « rwed rtd lines on wrapper. Take no ether N e»t, fc, e»nw a CMBMK'AS. co, Vt ST otoim. «F rK(>t Al, ASP LAW CAJUS. W. 0. ADAMSON, A.tto’ia.oy rvt Tjaw* CARROLLTON, - - . HA. Promptly transacts all business confided le him. Holding the oil. of Jirlge of the Klty Overt does not iutcrft••- « ith his practice In ether courts. j. |f >. E GROW? ATTORNEY-AT-LAW. AND REAL ESTATE AGENT. VTONEI loans ncgoli itcd on improved farm* la Carroll, Heard, and Haralson counties, at reasonable rates. Titles to lands examined and abstracts hit nished. Offiice up-stalrs In the’conrt house, Carrollton, Ga. J W. JONES? Attorney fit Ulaixw JOEL, 14-IT-ly. A. J. CAMP. Attorney rvt VILLA RICA GA. WM. c. IIODNETT, ATTORNEY-AT-LAW, J ILLA RICA, - - - GEORGIA over Dr. Slaughter’# IV’ !jjp C f tfkl'zv I'* v • v a*4. v was. <4v«* ’ cn to all business intrusted to,him. W. I FITTS, nbysiLoiza,xx cJfc* Surcoon CARROLLTON, - - OEORgIA, Will, a’ all tin., s, b<- found at W. W •Fitts’ dr ni , store, unless professionally absent.’ * 88-ts ** w. F. BROWN, At Tuzr-w. CARROLLTON, - . 6 WW ,<, C. P. GORDON ATT( )RNE Y-AT-L AW, CARROLLTON, GRORffIA. W. W, & G, w. MERRELL, Attorneys <vt Tsurov, CARROLLTON, - - GA. Records and land titles examined. Will collect claims, large or small. Especial at tention given to the business of managing estate by Exemyors, kdministmtors, Gar dians &c and <• her business before the Or dinary. W ; practice in all the snperior courts ol ti e Coweta circuit, and always at tend at Haralson court. /Fill practice any where and in any court where clients may require theii services: DR. D. F. KNOTT Is permanently located in Car rollton and tenders his PROFESSION A L SERVICES to the citizens of Carrollton and vicinity. OHice, Johnson’s Drug Store. Residence. Seminary street. 1-ts. BARGAIN AN ORGAN. We have for -ale.fnnd can sell for less than sac tory prices, an ESTEY & CAMP organ 8 st aat knee swells, h- ;ht.s feet 11 inches ; width. 4 feet 2 inches , depth, 2 feet; weight, boxed, 350 lb«. I nis organ is unexcelled for purity of to«», da rability, and beauty, and is fully warranted te hv« years, Apply at once to J. B BEALL. OR. I>, W.O ORSETT PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON TENIPJLE, GrA. Having permanently located at Temple 1 wfer my professional services to the citizens es Car roll and adjoining counties. Special atteatieasa Obstetrics and diseases of women. Office at Campbell & Bell's store. All calls promptly an swered day and mght-A'd night ca'ls answered irom x>. Je McCain’s residence. s—ly, Wrights ShdiahVecetablePills FOB TUB LIVER And all bilious Complaints Sate v FREE! I SELF-CURE A favorite proscription of ene ©/ tbe most noted and successful speciallats in th* © ft. now retired 1 for the cure of -Vet-vow ag«tihooA, H'eafcneaeand Deewe*. e*S m plain sealed envelope/>ee. Dru«lHteo«nfld£ OH. WARD & CO., Lovlahme, Ms, NO 40.