Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-12-08
IN SWEEPING ROBES.
by ADA PENLEY.

WOOD, OF yourself ana Iatner Snhll De
thrust from Brookdale."
Have mercyw
The words dropped pleadingly, de-
spairingly from the cold lips of the
mans companion.
Have mercy" Edward Falkland
reiterated with harsh laugh, his black
orbs riveted upon the peerless lowell
ness Defore him. Did you show me
mercy when l lay my love at your
feet?" he continued in low, passionate
tones, Selling the girls hands, his hot
breath scorching her pale cheek. mo,
you trod upon my love, coolly telling
me you loved another" The velvety
pansy eyes, fixed upon the distant cot
ton fields, filled with scalding tears. Il
swore vengeance then, my beautiful,
struggling dove" he went on, kissing
ly. You wove your silken spell around
ME with your wondrous beauty and in
nocent, cooling ways; fool that l am, l
would risk my soul to call you mine.
AS for my handsome nephew" he said
between his teeth, crushing the jew
eled hands cruelty between his strong
fingers, I'll kill him yes, you, too
before will allow him to win the only
woman ever loved from me-.
With smothered cry the girl sank
upon her knees among the blue-bells,
her dainty lace-trimmed robe lying in
soft, feecy pillows around her, the
warm June sunlight resting upon the
rings of golden curls falling about her
shoulders, the faint, sweet scent of
orange-groves floating up from the
clustering trees in the vale below. 70
the left sire tched immense cotton
fields, looking in the distance like one
vast sheet of snow; birds twittered
and chirred in emerald-clothed oaks
and elms, and upon the warm summer
air was borne the mournful requiem of
the ocean, as the white-frilled waves
broke upon the pebbly shore beyond
the belt of woods.
"Oh, be mercifulH she walled, rails
ing her eyes imploringly. II cannot
be your wife, Mr.. Falkland, for as
you know, II love your nephew. We
were engaged long before you returned
from Europe; forgive me, I never
dreamed you cared for me. Only be
patient, perhaps we may yet find the
receipt. Papa and I will search day
and night; will you not wait few
weeks? Oh, Mr.. Falkland, You
know papa paid off the mortgage
Why will you not give us another re-
ceipt? Don't-dont turn us from
dear Brookdale! The house where J.
was born and mamma died"
The sobbing, girlish voice ceased,
and with n despairing glance at the
hard, glittering eyes bent upon her,
tho girl struggled to her feet, leaning
like broken lily against the gnarled
trunk of huge elm.
"You might as we'll try to soften yon-
der stone cliff by touch from your
pretty white hands as to pleal to me
for mercy. Hear me once for all, Ed
na," he went on, his cold, merciless
tones falling upon the fower-scented
air like the hiss of q serpent. eff you
do not marry me, / will forccloso the
mortgage, and your father and self shall
60 forth homeless, nay, beggars, for
Brookdale is mortgnged for more than
its value. l also have, as YOU are aware,
lien upon your fathers remaining
property. Now lis.on, ny pretty one.
Bending nearer the shrinking girl he
continued rapidly: "Your father did
pay the mortgage. A month ago to-
day he handed mo the money in my
library. Some time after his departure
found the receipt l had given Mr.
Sherwood lying in the hall, where he
undoubtedly dropped it as he passed
out. Then it was that l thought OF
the scheme by which I might win you,
VIII I I, co. he
will keep my promise and hand you
the paper the moment we are pro-
nounced man and wife"
"Villain" she cried, with blazing
eyes, Il will expose you"
"What will your simple word weigh
against mine, the richest landowner
in the country?" he sneared. you are
to be present tonight at the ball /
give in your honor. If you wear crush
roses / shall look upon it rs an accept
ance of my suit. Ii not, expect no
mercy from your humble servant"
With knocking bow, the speaker
swung around and threaded his way
among the dense trees. The girl stood
airy, the sound of his receding foot
steps crashing upon the underbrush,
striking duly or her ear.
"Oh, God! IS there no escape from
the rctwor,; that villain has woven
around poor papa and me?" she pant
ed. Must I sacrifice my more than
life, or else see papa turned adrift up
or the world:' The words ended in n
dry sob.
"Hist!" rang out lowly, cautiously
Tho fragrant, Towering bushes were
pushed aside by elm, brown hand,
and q graceful figure, clothed in some
soundless material, glided out.
There is way to escape the vii
lain," she said, in rapid, musical tones,
her sad. dark orbs riveted upon the
girls lovely, colorless face. 81 heard
all; have faith in me, and wear the
flowers tonight. dare not say more /;
we may be discovered. will be at the
ball; until then, hope"
Without another word the woman
swung around, and walking rapidly
down the path, was soon hid from
view.
HAbt 80 T oo,,1I Io,,o 4l,o r,,,J .o;J