The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1888-08-11
CHAPTER v.
AH2F-n nor. rr4U fsnHx trvx

CHAPTER V.
AnsIEG FoB THE CONFLICT.
], was difficult 70 tell who was the mos,
cOufused, Allen Gray or the beautiful girl
before him.
Her drcs, and manner indicated culture
and refinement, and he felt that hc must
| apologize for his presence.
"I-I beg psrdonr' he stammered, after
en awkward silence Of few moments. II
came for a stroll to the bluff, not aware Of
your presence Ihope hsvo not annoyed
your
There was an honest frankness In his
voice and manner, more assuring than
his words A change from surprise aud
terror to pleasure, as instantaneous as II
was remarkable, came over her iacc.
"Oh, don't blame yourself, sir" she said.
| in tones the sweetest that ever fell on NOR
tai ears. Wha, delicious voice. how like
the chime of q silver bell. Then, as If not
altogether recovered from her surprise,
Sue stammcred' Ill was watching tho
sunset
1t is q delightful view from here" said
| Allen, recovering at once his self-posscs-
sion. II do not woIter that you came hero
10 witness II; | came for the same purpose,
but seeing you, and not wishing tO disturb
you, remained in tho background"
" You have lost much" answered the
beautiful girl, her angelic face wreathed
with smiles. ~ frequently come 20 this
bluf 10 visit tho sunset, and the scene never
grows old
"No doubt, were ncar enough, would
DO the samo.r
/" You are the ncw editor at the village,
are you nOtt" she asked, with charming
childlidc simplicity.
" am my name Is Allen Gray, aud am
editor and proprietor Of tho UsStert Repilb-
Lc. You live Ia the stone house on the hill,
do you nott"
She started, deathlike pallor swcp.
over her face, and in confused manner ahc
answered:
eyes, sir"
1t was painfully evident that tho stone
house on tho hill was an unp, ,casant topic
10 this young lady; therefore Allen deter
mined TO avoid IL. He began praising tho
beauties Of the sunset sky, tho grand old
forest and delightful flowers.
4" i found some things to-day IN my ram
bes," he at last said, land may be you can
tell me who is the owner" He drew
from his pocket the glove and lockct ado
you know whose these aref"
With a glad smile upon her faco sho
came quickly 10 his side and said:
They arc mine. The glove lost this
morning; the locket was lost two weeks
ago. Where did you find theml"
He told her all about finding them, and
then, both having rcganed their cquaniini-
| ", they became absorbed in pleasant con
versation. II seemed IA IL they had known
each other for years. Little heed was taken
Of the flight of time Twilight shades were
long held in the background by the broad
face OF full moon shining from a cloudlcss
summer sky. There was such strange
fascination about each Of the other that
they did not notice that the stars wero
winking at them from the heavens above.
When Allen asked what her name was
another momcntary confusion seemed to
come over her, as she answered Berthd Cot
tlns; but by his admirable tact the confusion
was but momcntary, and she was discours-
ing a. pleasantly as before. Those mo-
ments seemed TO possess "a world of pleasure
| 10 Allen and will never be blotted from his
memory. This lonely creature, whose beauti-
ful face and golden hair bathcd in moon
light seemed angelic purity itself, pro-
duced such an effect upon him as 10 cleo
trify and change his whole nature. The
dark mystery, which hung like pail above
her, seemed 10 only heighten the charm
which made her so attractive.
Almost uuconsciously they walked down
the path TO the garden gate. Allen knew
NOT Of what they talked, he only seemed TO
realiso that he was in tho presence OF ono
on whose beauty he could feast his eyes
forever, and to tho music Of whose voco
he would never grow weary of listening.
Her disposition, when not freightcd with
strange, mysterious dread, was happy,
and horlaughtcr fell like ripping music upon
his enrapturcd ear. But all things must
have an ond, and this charm, delightful as
II was, must be broken.
They reached the point where their paths
lay In different directions, one TO the gate Of
that great gloomy old house, the other
around the enclosure TO the village
" must 90 in now" she said, her face
becoming just little clou6ed. 1T is
! growing quite late, and can not longer re-
main out"
% ask your pardon II seem bold" said
Allen, hoping TO detain her but moment
longer, ~ am very lonesome in the village;
there is so little congenial TO my nature,
and II hope we may sec each other occa-
sionally."
Alternating flashes Of crimson and pallor
of death swept over her face, and in a voice
almost choked with dread or confusion, she
stammered
" Perhaps-wo shalt"
"Do you hope sop he asked, his face full
! of earnest oagcrness.
I'LL don't know-I fear I do" she
stammered, look of wild terror coming
over her face, which sorely puzzled him.
She left without another word. lie
watched her as she tripped lightly down
tho path, and saw her occasionally press
her snow-whito handkerchief 10 her eyes.
She reached the grim old garden gate,
which she unlocked, and turned her whito
face 70 him for a moment, waved an adieu
with her small jewcled hand, and passed In
from his sight
Allen beaved "a sigh rs she disappeared.
Dull, indeed, seemed the world when that
bright, sunny creature had shut herself
within those gloomy old walls. He went
slowly homcward, hardly sblo to tear him.
self from that mysterious old castle-liko
| house, which bad become 80 wonderfully at
tractivc 10 him.
Z" If sho IL one Of the ghosts that haunt
that building | would never be frightened
from it," hc said, rs hc walked down tho
hill 10 the village
(Contin ued next week
Mr. Smith--"Arc YOU fond ~ re.