Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1894-07-28

paced Up and down mv floor; but
with the morning the battle had been
fought, the victory gained, my reso-
luton formed / would go away.
knew now what had kept my ambition
dormant for SO long. There was q
questioning look in Mrs Cranes eyes,
half pleading glance in Eleanor's,
when went to make my ha.ty good.
bys, but I dared not seek to interpret
them, and SO went out into the world
was thirtyfve when l mastered
the problem which oil these yaars had
mastered me. Thirty-hve when knew
my name was Amous, and the dicov-
cry had male had made my fortune.
For three years | had devoted to 1t
every moment of my lonely existence.
AMI tho end was gained at last. But
what availed it? 1t could not fill the
emptiness Of my life or that life's
needs. Some part OF my great dis
covery, they wroG me, they wanted
nuplied to the mills Would I spare
them few days to give 1t my per-
sonal supervision? It was summons
gratitude and honor compelled me to
obey, SO / told myself, with sudden
glad rush Of my blood through every
vein. I should see her; should learn
if, as yet, any had gained the prize.
She welcomed me with q new, strange
shyness, but my resolution had made
me calm to collness. No, she was yet
heartfrce, her mother told me. What
had I hoped that at her words great
weight rose from my heart? The i'm
provements had been made. The next
dav I was to return to my work. when
it was proposed We should go in q
party through ths mill to witness it's
working Standing by T+loanor's side,
we involuntarily paused before the
one quiet worker who filled my place
when years before hex mother had so
paused and made the lrning point in
my life. All rushed ovex me with
lightning speed, whom ns Eleanor bent
closer to examine the intricate ma
chinery, turning carelessly to me to
ask some questions, light something
whirled in the dir, faint scream
burst from my darling's pale lips, the
light drapery she wore futtered in the
awful wheel, which in another moment
would have caught and crushed her
fragile form.
No time for thought, no hope Of
rescue if an instant's delay. How
it Happened no words could paint
h,t ere another thirty seconds had
gone by, Eleanor stood palo and trem.
bling, safe, while my right arm hung
helpless by my side.
ooh, George, George, I have killed
you'll heard her say, in q tone which
even in that moment thrilled me, but
as strove to answer, the agony sick
ened me, all grew dark, and in my
strength aud 1anhool fell forward 4
OF her feet. n
A choking sob somewhere near me
was the sound | heard, rs opening my
eyes, l found l had been borne back
to Mrs. Cranes house, and cau5ht O
glimpse of girls rctreating figure.
Mrs. Crane was sitting by my bedside,
while my right arm was already ban
daged. When l was stronger they told
me truth. It must be amputated.
made no mrrmur. SO would l hav,
laid down my life. But now never
must l speak my love. No gratitude
must influence Elcanor's, at pity''
call. But, oh, how barren stretched
my life before me, as. the operation
over, ] lay one morning alone in my
room. knowing how strong hal been
the unacknowledged hope. now crushed
forever. Even ambition must die
without that right arms help. Yet 1t
was best go.
care you awake" soft voice ques'
toned. AID l raised my eyes to find
Eleanor hal stolen TO my belside
awake, and would not call rs, Re
bellious boy' Will you ever learn Il
ooey?' Then-oh. did my eyes he
tray my hungry love which could no.
speak one little white hand cam
creeping into mine A srea, sob ,ose
in nv darllnS's throat as, ID choking
voice, she whispered: George. Eh,
| will you be 50 sal? You Will neve,
| go away from us again, never. | vii