Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1888-06-22


He sighed deeply.
Unconsciously they walked to the
bluff overlooking Fenlow's Folly, and
paused only when the gray building
doomed up dark and rugged, before
their eyes.
THE Folly again, uttered he. 500
you know, Alma, the sight of that old
ruin reminds me of my own life 1t
might have been bright and full of
living enjoyment but for the folly that
turned my heart toward one object. l
am blighted at the inception of life. l
shall 90 to Europe, and live and die
there. / cannot remain here knowing
that 1 can never win the object of my
souls DESIRE"
Sad, yet handsome, was the face she
regarded, as he glanced gloomily down
at the partially ruined factory. Even as
they gazed. a solemn moan seemed to
sweep up from the gray walls to their
ears.
"Come," he cried, suddenly, selling
her arm, II cannot stand this dismal
scene: let us return"
"What was that sound from the
Folly Paul2'' she questioned, holding
herself rigidly in her tracks.
Nothing but the moan of the wind"
both in a solemn mood
Il must leave you tomorrow" he
said, as they parted. She gave him no
hope, and they did not meet again until
the morning of the following day. He
had been TO the nearest village, and re-
turned looking white and troubled as he
dIsmOunted from his horse at the gate.
Alma was there nurs ng her bitter
feelings over Gerard's nOn-appearance.
"Ah. [ am glad you are outside.
Alma" he said hurriedly. Il will leave
you to- day, but my trip to Europe must
be necessarily postponed for few
weeks"
81 do not understand, " she said.
"This will explain. 1 received it at
the village this morning"
He placed paper, with a printed tele
gram heading at the top, in her hand.
She read it in silence.
Paul, remember your promise. I am go
ing to marry the heiress June 10Th, and
pect you to stand as best man.
Alma did not faint. She was made of
sterner stuff. She seemed very white and
troubled, however, as she handed back
the bit of paper.
"You see it is as l suspected"
paul, don't go to-day" she articu
lated hoarselv.
Tomorrow will do" he answered.
Then she went swiftly back to the
house and to her own room. That last
letter from his treacherous hand she tore
to fragments, and set her heel on them
in the fierceness of her Indignation.
Her eyes were dry, and the full red lips
burning with fever.
81 will show Gerard that I am not
disconsolate over his treachery."
With this uttered resolution Alma
Dane went once more to meet her cousin.
They were together for a long hour, I'M
der the shadows of the trees on the lawn.
Before they parted he bent and kissed
her while a glow of triumph lit up the
dark face, and lightened the glow in his
eyes.
81 will remain for your sake, dear
myself to Gerard, and will go there to-
be married y
eyes. Paul"
Her eyes were dry and feverish glow
filled her cheeks, parched her throat,
rendering her voice husky and un-
natural.
He left her, mounted his horse and
rode swiftly to the railway station.
eff 1 can possibly return tonight I
will" he said at parting from Alma.
Remember, you are not to go near the
Folly for something might happen to
you. For my sake l want you to obey
me in this''
She gave a silent assent, and then
paced alone under the trees. The hours
of that day were the longest Alma had
ever experienced. Unrest worried her
soul, and her heart was leaden in its
sullen beating. She kept her room most
of the day. Everything that belonged
to Gerard she sacrificed, the sight of
them rendering her miserable. Was
ever a woman so sore distressed on the
eve of her wedding as she?
The squire, her father, marveled at the
strange gloom that had suddenly come
over his daughter, but he did not ques-
ton her that day-on the next it was not
necessary.
Night was once more threatening, and
Alma sought solace without the heated
atmosphere of her room. Instinctively
she turned her steps toward FenlOw's
Folly. She did not pause on the HILL
but went down the narrow, long unused
road, which was short cut from the
village to the farm of Squire Dane. She
paused only when she stood in the
gloomy shadow of the great stone build
ing.
''Paul said I must not come here, " she
unused. "Why should he care? Imade
no nropoica am reoErlesc tO-niOht