Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1888-06-30
'titu'ed as other people. l shall never

bluff overlooking Fenlow's Folly, and
paused only when the gray building
loomed up dark and rugged, before
their eyes
The Folly again" uttered he 'Do
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 | can never win the object OF my
souls desire"
1 Sad, yet handsome, was the face she
Regarded, az he glanced gloomily down
at the partially ruined factory. Even as
they gazed, solemn moan seemed to
sweep up from the gray walls to their
ears.
Come he cried, suddenly, Selling
her arm. 81 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"
And then they walked slowly away,
both in solemn mood
81 must leave YOU tomorrow" he
said, as they parted She gave MIN 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 nursing her bitter
feelings over Gcrards appearance.
tAh. am glad YOU are outside
Alma, , he said hurrjcdly. II 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. received it at
the village this morning
He placed paper, with printed tele-
gram heading at the top, in her hand.
She read it III silence.
Paul, remember your promise | am go
| ing to marry the heiress June 26th, and
+! pect you to stand best man.
!, GERARD
Alma did not faint. She was made OF
F. sterncr stuff She seemed very white and
| troubled, however, as she handed back
the bit of paper.
"lou see, it is as | suspected"
! ''Paul. don't go today" she articu-
lated hoarsclv.
/ ''To morrow will do" he answered.
!. Then she went swiftly back to the
! house and to her own room. That last
letter from his treacherous band she tore
| to fragments, and set her heel on them
Mn the tierceness of her Indignation
, Her eyes were dry, and the full red lips
| burning with fever.
Il will show Gerard that / am not
disconsolatc over his trcachery."
With this uttered resolution Alma
! Pane went once more to meet her cousin.
! They were.togcther for a long hour, un-
der the shadows of the trees on the lawn.
! Before they parted he bent and kissed
her, while Il glow of triumph lit up the
dark face, and lightenel the glow in his
eyes.
Il will remain for your sake, dear
est he whispered low. II must excuse
myself to Gerard. and will 90 there to-
lay and return tomorrow, when we will
be married
s'les, Taul."
Her eyes were dry and q feverish glow
illed her cheeks, parched her throat,
endering her voice husky and un-
natural
He left her, mounted his horse and
ode swiftly to the railway station.
If | can possibly return tonight |
will he SAID at parting from Alma
Remember, you are not to go near the
Folly for something might happen to
,oo For my sake | want you to obey
ne in this. >
She gave silent assent, and then
"a. cd alone under the trees The hours
If that day were the longest Alma had
ever experienced. Unrest worried her
souI, and her heart was leaden in its
ullen beating She kept her room most
If the day Everything that belonged
. Gerard She sacrificed, the sight OF
hem rendering her miserable Wa,
ever a woman % sore distressed on the
we Of her wedding As shel
lie squire. her father, marveled at the
strange ctoom that had suddenly come
,ver his daughter, but he did not ques
ion her that day on the next it was mol
1ecessary
Night was once more threatening and
Alma sought ~olace without the heated
atmosphere of her room. 1nstinctively
he turned her stcps/toward Fenlow'e
Folly. She did not pause on the hill
out went down the narrow, long unused
-oad. which was a short Scnt from ,hs
,ilnce TO the farm # Squire Dane. She
paused only when sh stood IN ths
gloomy shadow of the great stone build
ne.
"paul said must not come here, sh.
nu>ed Inv should he cAref Imad,
10 promise. an reck les, tonight.
will learn the mysteries. Of this od mill
Boldly >he al ) auced'through the ope,
I0or. III Oh time had Ioo>en,d from il.
, liuges. anil stood on the Uttered floor.
, .as almost dark here. and there WAS
: damp smell II everything. Even in thu
i. summer night the ar was Chill, al,
Aims drew her shawl more closely. 4
ha, moment She started and trembled il
very joint.
4 An awful cfoan aSSailed her ears.
For some moments she stood Iterrified
with terror stealing her senses away
! The gruau was lei talcti. followed i'm
. neiistely bv maff'ei Voice calling 70
: 1t5p ~ulcN that cnuId not be snrtt