Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1881-07-16

"lts'no use arguing, said the young |
lady, with toss Of the head L am to |
he married to Mr.. Julian in January. |
Fate Is fate-and now give NE your arm
back to the ball room. Aunt Cecilia |
will wonder what has become of me-
Metella Vail was exultant in the bril-
liant match she was about to make.
Aunt Cecilia drove with her from mil
liner to modiste and back again, with
the complacent air Of chaperone we'll
pleased-the eight brides maids were
duly selected, and the day of the we'd
ding drew near
But one day Meta came to her aunt
with troubled face.
why, child, what is the matter
said her aunt. "You have been cry
ing"
II am not perfectly happy fall
tered Meta. ''Oh, aunt, I have been
thinking about the future-of all the
long Years that lie before me, and |
don't think | ought to marry Mr.. Ju-
liam
why not ?" demanded her aunt, with
face hardening into stone.
II do not love him. confessed Meta,
in a voice that was scarcely audible.
"My dear that is all right, soothed
Mrs. Vail. Love will come in due time,
never fear" G
But Meta shook her head.
Il would rather not marry him, she
persisted. Il will tell him so. y
A slight spasm shot over Mrs. Walls
we'll powdered face
"Metella, said she, ''you must marry
him. Your uncle's honor is involved. l
had not meant to tell YOU this but your
own conduct has made it inevitable. Mr.
Julian has advanced to your uncle money
in large sums-monev that has warded
off ruin.
Then it is as people say-a mere case
of bargain and sale, )" retorted Meta, bit
terly. II am bartered away to save my
uncle's commercial standing"
Mrs. Vail burst into tears, carefully
staunching them. however, before they
had time to plough briny chasm
through the "Bloom of Youth " upon
her cheeks
''Meta," sobbed she, would you see
your uncle ruined? ?"
Metella Vail turned away, sick at
| heart, with a feeling that it would be
| in vain to try to stem the current OF des-
| tiny.
II may as we'll make the best of it, "
said she to herself "but oh, why-why
| did ever say yes?'
! It was two weeks before the wedding
| day, and Meta Vail had accepted an
invitation to the last party she was to at
| tend before her bridal
She arrived rather late, and no one
was in the ladies dressing room.
| She was arranging her own dress,
| when she heard the voices of two ladies
in small adjoining room, where tea
! and coffee were served to such as wished
to partake of them before going down
lstairs
81 really think some one ought to tell
her." said old Mrs. Pepper.
"Those Walls would any of them sell
their souls for piece of silver" retorted
Miss Jeykill, "and the girl is just as bad
as any of them"
! But she can't know that he's luna
tic!' argued Mrs. Pepper.
| Trust her for that. dare say she
lmeans to clap him into an asylum as
soon as she has chance" said Miss
lJeykill, sagely.
SIS it true that he killed his first wife
in one of his mad fits @ added Mrs,
Pepper, while Meta stood still and
breathless. the warm blood seeming to
turn to ice within her veins.
Its as true as gospel, said the other
land any other man would have been
prosecuted for it. But the Juhans are
rich, and money is like charity-lt coy
ers a multitude of sins I'm sincerely
| glad I'm not in Miss Walls place, that's
all"
/ And the two ladies went downstairs.
Metella Vail stood there, ,shudderine
and pale
What awful risk was this into which
she had so nearly plunged?
! What dizzy precipice had she bllndl,
approached?
II And her uncle and aunt?
Like an inspiration it flashed upon hel
| that thev were doubtless we'll aware o
t | all this.
Il How could it he otherwise Aware 0
il 4ll-yet willing to sacrifice her you'll
and beauty to their own ends.
| One instant she stood considering
and then wrapping her cloak once NOR
around her head and shoulders, sh'
, hurried down II the door, and gav'
directions that her carriage should b'
g ! called
Harry Fame had been busy at hi
painting all day, and now. i'll the even
: ing. he was sketching In a back ground
with his trim little old mother readlni
aloud 10 him. For Harry had made n
V his mind to give up all the gay soclet.
which had resolved itself into nothin
Il but apples Of Sodom for him. and devot
himself to art alone.
Il Presently the. little white-capped mai
4 came in with perpleAed look on he
plump face.
: a Young lady. MA am. said she, =
pink lace and roses. asked for Mr.. Harr
Fame.
And Mc,ella Vail followed her hit
J. announcer into the room with Iarg,
i luminous eyes and face pale as ashes.
Meta
i He started up
'e Yes. Harry, said she, Il come
{, YOU Will you take me back to yor