Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1888-12-01

Encore! encore" cried q wheezy.
cracked voice behind her. and MurIel
turned to see the wrinkled face and leer-
ing eyes of awyer Grant.
"A light heart makes light feet" he
said. chuckling and rubbing his withered
hands in ecstacv:" .seh, Miss MurfeI.o
But Muriel had fled to her room. a
secluded little retreat IN remote wing
Of the great rambling farmhouse.
When, after an hours patient watch
ing from her window she had seen her
antiquated lover d sappear down the
shaded path that led to the high way. she
prepared tos 60 down to the parlor to
practice some new songs But to her
dismay she found the door fast locked
and herself prisoner.
That night, while she slept, plate
containing food was placed in her room.
and with it tiny slip OF paper, bearing
these words:
You shall never leave this room until you
yield to my wishes. MURIEL THoRSE
To which she returned this character
ntic answer
Without wishing 10 be impertinent. NAV
say that there is fair prospect of my outliv-
ing both OF you. | defy you until your
death shall release me. MuHrEL VANCE.
For four days she bore her captivity
admirably. She leaned from her win
dow and sang snatches of gay songs
when she was sure that her aunt was
where she could hear her. and affect ed
the utmost nonchalance when she saw
Mrs. Thorne and Lawyer Grant watch
ing her from the lawn But on the after
IF ho ho 70
and longed with all the intensity of her
nature for freedom.
She saw the shining river, free and
unfettered, winding between the feath-
cry willows that lined its banks, and
could almost hear it as it gurgled over
its pebblv bedSwhere the cool woodland
shadows lay tl1ickest: and the words Of
the bravura she was singing died in an
inarticulate sob, though her aunt was in
full view, strolling among the flower
beds on the lawn.
At last she wi ed away her tears and
clinched her teeth firmly together.
''All's fair in love and war;" she said
resolutely; "and q mastery strategy
must accomplish what resistance would
fail to do, even if it does involve some
deception"
She watched long and anxiously for
Lawyer Grant that night.
Finally, when the shadows of the
cleaning lay thickly among the trees.
she saw tall form coming up the path
toward the front door.
She leaned from the window and called
to him In suppressed voice:
go to the kitchen porch and get the
long ladder you will, find there. Climb
to the balcony under the window at the
| back of this room; ! wish to speak to
you"
A few moments elapsed and Mur:el
| beard cautious footsteps on the balcony,
and then light tap on the window.
She gently opened it and stepped out.
faltering voice:
Lawyer Grant, when l requested
[ your presence here intended to propose
tunity of regalning my freedom might
occur. But | cannot do it. Not even to
,egain my liberty will sully my lips
with a lie. But, on, sir, think OF my
cruel punishment and pity me. Think
IF one who has always been free and un-
rameled as the very birds condemned to
this captivity, and if you have a human
neart lntercede with nv aunt. Think
ont sobs and tears finished the prayer she
would have uttered, as she threw herself
At his feet.
The tall form came out of'the shadows,
and as the light from the room beyond
ell full upon him Murel started to her
feet in mute surprise.
1t was strangers face she gazed
ipon-a face which invited confidence.
nevertheless. There was something about
he mischievous gray eyes, cIouded lus'
1ow with a Slight shade Of seriousness
an expires ion anout the iinely cut mouth,
which, though parted 1T that moment
With smile Of blended anu ement and
pity, seemed to be irreslstibly at
.ractlve
u o not distress Yourself. be- sale
le, as he glzeI upon her as tateo
say that | will Willingly afford YOU al
he assls anCe IN my power. Bat before
you accept my assistance let me explair
ny pre- ence in this hou e My name ]:
tenuer RossmoIe and came here 10
night to see Lawyer Grant, relative t
cel tam uncl lancd e>ta es IN Connaught
/ lItitQu. IL one hlNtidti al Z, W A<
Game 10 this country twenty years ago
.ince deceased died without heirs, th'
property rever.s to me, as next of Kin
[ have written to Gl ant repeatedly. bu
:ailing to get satisfactory reply, cam'
oyer to see if | cou q not find NOR
definite informal on regarding the heir
,f this Michael Vance, who hat tn
aonor Of being sixteenth cousin TO m
itep mo, her God rest her soul =
"Mlchael Vance" cred Mur.el. he
,mbarra >sment lost in surprise. Why
that was my fathers name.
And his birthplacef'
:, "killaroy, Ireland" +"
. "Accept my congratnation, SAL
Rossmore: "for you are not only tn
:, most beautiful young lady in America
4 but the richest heress in ireland. IN
| hope" he cont nued, a he saw the ros
, iush upon her cheek. that since 20
F. . aave deprived me of my inheritance, 70
!. will at least grant me the liberty of