The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1889-08-30
NO.. so.

the bold sunlight, entering through rift
In the foliage above, sent long COLDER
lances to the messy ground below.
The reaction came at last.
Carol inherited some of the determined
will of her father, and although the GYPSY
girls words had stunned her at first, she
recovered by degrees. 1t began to dawn
upon her mind that there might be some
mistake; her faith in her lover was great
and she could not believe that he would
be guilty of such a terrible thing as this
Of which the black-eyed girl accused him
cit Is false !" she cried; show dare you
tell me such thing? You are either in
sane, or else malicious. What reason
have you to hate Roger Darrell, that you
should traduce him to me thus? How
dare you, say?"
Her slender figure was drawn up with
queenly grace, and there was majesty
In her very manner, but the gipsy did
not seem to be very deeply impressed by
it.
She laughed, and there was some-
thing In the exclamation that grated
upon the nerves, and produced an un-
pleasant feeling.
'Darel You are not acquainted with
the gypsy character, see, or you would
not ask such question. There Is moth.
ing that Barbara Merriles would not dare
undertake. Hate Roger Darrell? Yes, I
have cause to, but hate could never
manufacture such story. Do you want
proof strong as holy writ2 You can have
1t from your lovers lips. He will not
dare deny the truth. Look him in the
eyes and tell him you have heard the
story of Nora Warner. Then mark we'll
the pallor of his face, his shrinking eyes,
his trembling form. He will stand be-
fore you condemned. Will you love him
still, the man who would have welded
you with his lawful wife still living, and
in mad house, you whose face pro.
claims your pride, or will you spurn the
coward, and send him from you with
words of loathing?"
"What can do, If what you tell me is
true9 Oh, my God, cannot believe it!
He is too noble, too just, too good. There
mistake. Girl, do you know that your
words have gone to my heart like hot
iron, soaring and scorching my very soul,
and that, though would give worlds to
weep, l cannot shed tear? Surely this
is some horrid nightmare. from which l
shall awaken and thank Heaven it was
but dream"
Her apparent agony of mind was SO in
tense that 1t seemed to have some effect
even on the gypsy girl, who had hated
her SO bitterly, for when she spoke there
xyocI yniv Of, tv,h
real or assumed it would be hard indeed
to say.
If the latter, then it accomplished we'll
its work, for Carol was more willing to
believe one who was in sympathy with
her, than one who seemed to gloat over
her misfortune.
"Poor child Of the house-dweller, the
,ipsy said, her voice both low and soft, like
he purring of cat, and her manner
possessed of no little magnetism; latter
all you are not to blame. Why should
feel hard toward you? We are both his
victims. Strange that the fair child of
the house-dweller and the poor Romany
girl should meet as equals, but it is SO.
have seemed to cut you to the heart,
but some day you will thank me for my
work, when you realize from what ter
rible fate have saved you. AdIos, Carol
Richmond"
"What, are you going?"
eyes; my duty is done. Should you
wish to see me again, you will find me
here at noon. love to sit and look at
the waters of yon river, down below. I
do not ask you to believe my words;
prove them by confronting the william,
aud ask him If he knows Nora Warner.
am here for vengeance. l have come
from sunny land over the great water,
following him whereve he went, and my
first blow shall fall through you, though
do not bear you malice. You may hate
me, but it will be as one would hate the
burn of the iron soaring the flesh after
the poison Of mad dog had been sent
'nto it,
Turning. the strange creature was
gone.
The night was one long to bo remem-
bered.
In the eastern sky the round moon,
walking in glory, lent her silvery light to
the world below, and myriads OF twink
ling stars, mysterious lanterns of the
night, were hung about to assist, in a
feeble way, her brave effort
Through openings in the branches
above, the moon peeped down, casting
long silver spears to the ground that
seemed to vibrate as the night air rustled
the leaves overhead.
The air was melodious with the sum-
mer chorus of the night, as heard on the
Potomac.
Roger was walking slowly up and down
with his arms behind him. Where his
thoughts were could be easily guessed,
and, therefore, what must have been his
to see a SLENDER white
robed figure standing in front of him.
."What, Carol, my darling, Is it really
you? Why, are you here?" he asked,
tenderly.
81 am here to learn the truth, Roger;
where is Nora Warner?" she said, almost |
flercely.
CHAPTER III.