Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1881-03-05
wish to- Parson Sabine will no: be par

alone in little apartment off from the
drawing room. She was thinking OF the
coils that were closing around |
her. and the chances there were for her to |
escape them. The blackboy. Pip had returned
and the message be brought awoke hope |
N her heart. If it was possible to save |
her she knew Capt. Blake would do It. |
She knew his heart well, and felt he would |
give his own life freely, if need be, 10
save her.
She was thinking of him. and hoping
that i: would not be long ere she would
he folded once more in his arms, when
her thoughts wele disturbed by rap on
the door. Thinking it might be Ter maid or
boy, Pip she bade the applicant enter.
The door opened and much to her disgust
She saw a.las Hall standing before her.
She arose from her seat with the inten-
ton OF quitting the room. The presence
OF her sullor was at all times dlstasteful
to her, and hls coming upon her now was
doubly SO. He OWNED her motives and
toCk a step forward as though for the pur-
pose of arresting her step.
Rose DO not be 80 cruel as to leave
me- he said. Tomorrow is to be our
wedding day, and there is much | would
say TO You.
She made no answer to the words Of the
man she abhOrred, but with stately meln
moved as though she would leave the
apartment.
Sias Hall stepped forward and made
motion as though he would lay his hand
upon her shoulder.
Back, viIlain!' she cried. Leave the
ia
''Why 50 cruel, Rose what does7it mat
tcr2 Tomorrow you'll be mine. Let us
speak now of the happiness there is in
store for US. y
He laid his hand upon her arm and at
tempted to draw her toward him.
She shook hlm of as though his touch
polluted her, and the next instant she had
drawn long slender dagger from her bo-
som, amt held it towards hun in mena-
cir. manner.
lie fell back a step, holding out his
hands as though to ward off the expected
blow.
Put up that toy, Rose; this is but a
| foolish play. Of all men in the world
you would not harm your promised hus-
band!'
mo, would not harm hlm. He is not
here, 1t is against you, blackhearted VII
lain, that | would defend myself"
This is foolish talk, Rose; you know
that in few hours you are to be my
wife"
Il know no such thing, Silas Hall. Ra,
4 thor than be your wife, if l were forced to
take my choice, / would plunge this dag
ger INTO my heart!
no III IF ho
wards her and made motion as hougt
she was half minded to strike the blow O
which she had Just spoken.
Evidently Silas Hall thought she mean
TO do what she said, and as. her motion
indicated, for he took another step towart
her, as though for the purpose of arrestln.
her hand.
..Lcavc the room, Sllas Hall, unless 70,
wish NE TO do the deed" she said, hodin;
the weapon menaclngly, and the villain
seeing tnat she was thoroughly in earnest
slu nk away, leaving her alone.
81 Will keep my word, she SAID to her
self. ''If Robert does not come to say
me tonight | will die. l will never b
forced to this thing which sa much al
hor. The grave is far better tnan life wit
that villain''
+ She placed the weapon in its hiding
place, and few minutes later sought tn
privacy of her own apartment.
The night came on apace--a night file
with the deepest gloom.
: Dark ard threatening clouds rushe
athwart the sky, completely blotting 0,
= = the light Of the stars.
No rain was falling, although at an
moment it seemed that a new delug
= might be2hurled upon the earth.
} Alone Rose waited the coming OF h,
? patrict~lover.
# Midnight was near at hand. Her unc
and Slias Hall retired to rest. SO far
i Size knew, only herself and trusty P
> were awake.
The latte had reported that the re
:. coats within were snugly sheltered, al
: that unless alarmed, they would not st
again that night.
The momeHt was near al hand on whit
. 50 much depended.
:" There was a low football without Il
dora feutstep which she remembers
Ncll.
a. ., ''Rose,'
= Tie voice thrilled her 10 her inmc
= soul.
She threw open the door, and the ne
J.. moment she was clasped in the arms
- Capt. BAKE.
~ My own" he whispered, ''come wi
=, ne. There is a long dark ride 10 the Sa
!. ite, anu TO the camp OF Marion.
- i viii go with you 10 the end Of ,
earth, Robert.
" Size stole forth from the house unc
- served. Sharp eyes indeed they III,
have been. tia, could have pierced /
!, darkness that surrounded them. A sh,
distance trom the mansion the Captai,
!, men and horses were in waiting. To Va
into the saddle was only the work of a III
= ute, and they dashed away on their 10
dark tide % the Santee, and - the Cal
=. Of Marion.
Before morning daWued they reach
II, and late that day the words were s
), thai bound the lovers together while
should las;.
=. The tsries discovered, when i. was
=. .aie, that their bird had flown. Their II
and disappointment. knew DO bounds bu
Vas useless. Love had trlumpeG over ,yr