Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1890-06-21
are sure 70 disapprove, We love each other
that is my only excuse. RIcaAaD

sealed the letter again and staggered
down into the open air. It was quite
dark now, and the place was very empty
Most Of the people were away on visits or
Excursions There was only one though,
In ny mind. That was TO kill myself. !
had pistol, and | found it and loaded
1t. My intention was to go to that spot
in the woods where l had asked Rose to
be my wife and there kill myself, but as
| passed out again, I looked up. Mr..
Richard had returned to the Office
There 17as light there, a swinging
lantern directly over his head. Fe had
apparently come back to make some
alterations Ia his letter He opened it,
added some lines. and sealed it again.
And now he was ready to,inish robbine
me Of the Joy Of nv life OF the only
thing that ,eemsd valuable 70 me on
earth
Satan took full possession OF ms l
felt him enter my soul. lifted nv pls-
tol and took ain 1t the handsome head
on which the lamplight fell so brightly
Not good aim though. The bullet missed
its mark and struck the swinging lamp.
saw great blaze spring up in al instant
the ireworh factory was on fire. The
next instant there was horrible report
/ was hurled long distance away, and
came to myself bruised and giddy, but
able 70 rise Ali the place was full of
people now. | heard my name, and
turned and saw Rose at my side
oh, thank God, darling" she said {
'.thand God Oh. touch me- that may
know you are alive Oh, my love, ny
love"
She threw her arms about NE. he'd
ter close
''But be is there, she sobbed. 'Alr.
Rlchard-oh be is therel and what will
poor Miss Lawrence dol They were to
be married tonight They were to elope
together. was to be her bridesmaid
have been making her dress, for she did
not dare tell any one else, Oh, poor,
poor Miss Lawrence He must be dead -
The truth rushed on ne | saw all nv
blind folly, remembered the feud between
the two families, and knew that Rose had
been helping Miss Lawrence to correspond
with her lover and l had murdered q
man who had done ne no wrong Goo
knew who else was about the place, with
how much crime my soul was assorted
| Then great hope thrilled me-
''Perhaps he isn't dead, / said I'm
going il after him Ill bring him Out
alive or die with him Good-by, dearest
! IF | never see you again, remember
! loved you I'm wicked wretch, but
! loved you.
/ for me to stay and then I dashed into
the burning place
Afterward they said il was miracle
Perhaps it was, The angels. may hav
felt that it was we'll that | should live K
repent ny sins little longer. l fount
nv victim In what seemed red-hor fur
uace, living senseless Oh his face. GOV
ered that face with nv own soft hat, ane
dashed out again, l don't know hov
,lid it. | was very strong, very big
IA he was Slight and slender.
They brought him 10, first. H na'
only been little scorchea and lnge
about the shoulders. As for me kne7
nothing for week aud had soTde ugl
a.s about me that dad not improve u
looks but Rose seemed 70 love me NOR
for them. ana Nj Ricnafd had his la
girls beauty quite uualrered.
They called Ee nero. i.ul II Wa oni
while was too weak /" speak that
permitted i1ne iaN | made con
ie~>lon / called Rose 10 lny bed-idt
and ,al.e, him / toil ,hen al, an
they fors4ve nle ves. the, both foF2as
me | think they were angel.
NJ one had been hurt bat me, al
there vas onl, some loss OF inoney
Jealousy i lussnity, sLr. Richal
said, aud ! eve ny lie 10 YOU Ha
been the scoundrei Won thought me,