The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-09-13
FEl'I'ERED BY Fate
A Thrilling Virginia Romance.
By EMMA s. soUTHwoRTH.

CHAPTER V. Continued.

CHAPTER V. Continued.
He had spent the day in fishing, and
his success had been good, as the basket
of fine trout proved. While he was yet
within a mile or so OF Darrell Chace, he
was astonished to see female figure rise
up before him and bar his way.
In the uncertain light he could only
distinguish the fact that tho person who
thus stood In front of him was woman,
and at first he had felt thrill run
through his frame at the thought OF Its
being Carol.
Could she have waylaid him on puY-
pose to renounce her resolve OF that fatal
day-the resolve that had blasted all his
wild hopes Of happiness2 No wonder
the blood surged through his veins with
the heat OF burning lava; but 1t was only
for brief period. for he speedily saw his
mistake
The person before him was a WON an
with great, black, velvety eyes. and
face Of tho pure oval type. and slightly
olive in color, though he had not much
chance to observe 1t just then, as she
fastened to speak.
I'VE are we'll met, Roger Darrell. You
have the same nerves of iron, see, that
owned you master before, and not for
your life would you by start or word own
that you recognized me. and yet there Is
not person in the wide world you would
hato to meet more"
Her words were fierce and venomous,
and. leaning forward, she let her greet
black eyes rest upon his face as though
lha would paod hic r,orx, rba mar
looked at her keenly, but, as she de-
clared, by no sign or word did ne give
evidence OF having met her before
One might have thought that he was
now looking upon her face for the f1rsS
time, so cool and collected was his stare.
"Who are your" he asked at last.
The other did not seem to know at first
whether to get angry or to laugh, but
finally did the latter. and there was
something cold in her forced merriment
that made him shiver.
IL will humor you, then, and pretend
that we have never met before. Behold
In mo a gypsy girl, daughter OF queen,
whom the silver tongue OF u serpent lured
away from the home Of her people. She
was outlawed from her tribe and deserted
by the white-faoed traitor whom she had
loved and trusted with her whole heart
and soul. What, then, had she to live
for but revenge2"
The hand OF the gipsy maid had been
creeping toward her bosom all the
while. and at this juncture che flashe d
shining stiletto into view. Roger Darrei
caught her by the wrist with grasp OF
iron.
"Girl," he said steEnly, "what would
you dor" A..
'Do" che hissed, 81 would kill you,
snake in the grass that lured me from
happiness to living death. would
sever your black heart with this tsusty
blade, dedicated to that purpose. Think
not to escape the terrible vengeance OF
the gipsy girl. She has followed you
over land and sea. waiting for the hour
TO strike, the hour when you would be
most happy. and when life would be
most dear to you. A short time ago IL
seemed that that hour had come, and
Barbara Merriles struck the first blow.
Now, when she has helped 10 blight
your life. she comes before YOU. ready
to finish the work with her dagger.
You are doomed Roger Dorrel
doomedI"
He laughed lightly.
"a fig for your threats, Barbara Mes-
r4les. True. your name has often been
in my mind, but never had occasion to
fear you. Como closer hero and look me
in the face. Then you may strike with
this blade, II you dare!7
She leaned forward and her eyes were
glued upon him for the space Of a minute.
Then she uttered d sharp cry. Roger
ioosened his grip upon her wrist, and the
hand holding the dagger dropped TO her
side.
"Wul you strike now2" he asked qui-
city, while a strange look came into his
eyes.
"Great Heavenl what have seen
No; your life is sacred from my dagger.
You are not Roger Darrell, but the man
who saved mo whom would have leaped
into the mad river, and to whom I owe
much. My God what IL had slain you;
my own life would have followed, for I
never could have survived suoh base In
gratitude. l cannot look you In the face |,
1t seems as though the tide OF recoIiec.
ton would overwhelm me, and must
be alone. Farewell, my friend of the
past; we shall meet again"
Before he could restrain her she had
sped away. vanishing among the shad-
ows OF the trees.
Roger Darrell resumed his walk In the
direction OF his home.
What thoughts were surglng through
his mind just then 1t would DO hard 10.
deed to say. but he seemed 10 be labor
ing under some powerful emotion, for
every now and then he muttered some.
thing under his breath and clenched his
disengaged hand.
What was 1t the gipsy girl had saldP
mot Roger DARRELL
Ahl there was still another mystery
here. which will become gradually un.
raveled as we proceed.
CHAPTER VI.
- VIII YET BURST AsUNpEa TRs
BONDS oP FATE
AppAYN npANn