Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-08-01

Carol, at least when he expected SHE
might be there.
The shadows were gathering late one
afternoon, and twilight was rapidly set
Ting over the land, when Roger made
his way in the direction of his home.
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 mile or so of Darrell Chaee, 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 the person who
thus stood in front OF him was a woman,
and at first he had felt a thrill run
| through his frame at the thought OF its
being Carol.
Could she have waylaid him on pur-
pose to renounce her resolve of that fatal
day the resolve that had blasted all his
wild hopes of happiness No wonder
the blood surged through his veins with
the heat of burning lava but it was only
for brief period, for he speedily saw his
mistake.
The person before him was woman
with great, black, velyety eyes, and a
face of the pure oval type, and slightly
olive in color, though he had not much
chance TO observe it just then, as she
fastened to speak.
I'VE are well 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 a person in the wide world you would
hate 20 meet more.
Her words were fierce and venomous,
and, leaning forward. she let her great
black eyes rest upon his face as though
she would read his very soul. The man
looked at her keenly, but, as she de-
clared, by no sign or word did he give
evidence Of having met her before.
One might have thought that he was
now looking upon her face for the first
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 SILVER.
II will humor you, then, and pretend
that we have never met before. Behold
in me a gypsy girl, daughter of queen,
whom the silver tongue OF serpent lured
away from the home OF her people. She
was outlawed from her tribe and deserted
by the white-faced traitor whom she HAD
loved and trusted with her whole heart
nd soul What, then, had she to live
for but reyenge?"
The hand of the gypsy maid had been
creeping toward her bosom all the
while, and at this iuncture she fiashe a
shining stiletto into view. Roger Darrell
caught her by the wrist with grasp of
iron.
Girl he said sternly, "what would
you do?"
"Do?' she Kissed, II would kill you,
snake in the grass that lured me from
happiness to living death. would !
sever your black heart with this trusty
blade. dedicated to that purpose. Think /
not to escape the terrible vengeance of /
the gypsy girl. She has followed you
over land and sea, waiting for the hour
to strike, the hour when you wonld be |
most happy, and when life would be
most dear TO you. A short time ago it 4
seemed that that hour had come, and
Barbara Merriles struck the first blow.
Now, when she has helped to blight
your life, she comes before you, ready
% finish the work with her dagger.
You are doomed, Roger Darrell,
doomed y
He laughed lightly.
"A fig for your threats. Barbara AIer-
lies. True. your name has often been
n my mind, but never had occasion to
ear you. Como closer here and look me
n the face Then you may strike with
his blade, ii you dare !"
She leaned forward and her eyes were
ylued upon him for the space of minute.
Then she uttered sharp cry. Roger
oosened his grip upon her wrist, and the
land holding the dagger dropped to her
iide.
"Will you strike now?" he asked qui-
fly, while a strange look came into his
yes.
Great Heavenl what have / seen +?
To- your life is acred from my dagger.
Iou are not Roger Darrell. but the man I
Tho saved me when l would have leaped
nto the mad river, and 70 whom I owe I
much. My God what If had slain you;
ny own life would have followed, for /
ever could have survived such base in ]
ratitude. l cannotlook you in the face;
seems as though the tide of recollec- ,
ion would overwhelm me. and l must
9 alone. Farewell, my friend of the
asst we shall meet again" ,,
Before he could RESTRAIN her she had )
ped away. vanishing among the shad- i
VS. of the trees. >
Roger Darrell resumed his walk in the +
Erection Of his home. s
What thoughts were surging through o
is mind just then it would be hard in /
eed to say. hut he seemed to be labor a
lg under some powerful emotion, for ]
very now and then he muttered some
ling under his breath and clenched his D
sengaged hand