The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-09-01
to her at once"

Speak to her at once"
"Why this haste, fathers"
MY end is drawing near, my son.
Seek Maine, speak to her; tell hear
that I wish this marrige to take place
to night-for ere another sun rises 1
shall be ro more.
X X X
Night with its mantle of blackness en-
wrapped the earth. The sun had long
disappeared. Behind the western hills
it had hid its face as though ashamed to
witness the d~astardly crime that was
o o to be perpetrated.
In the chamber of the sick man were
gathered six person: the dying man,
propped, with the aid of many pillows,
to a sitting position, three family ser
wants, with bowed heads, near the door,
the reverend Mr.. Clankton from the
village over the river and Hugh Cara
van.
Are all here9" asked the dying
man.
All but Maline," answered Hugh"
Go find her, my son; tell her that
We await her."
Hugh went to her room, but she vas
not there; he then went to the parlor,
but with no better SUGGEST; he called
her but received no answer. Where
was she's Perhaps she was in the Ii
brary. He opened the door and en-
tered. Here he found her. Seated at the
window, her back towards him, she
was not aware of his presence until he
stood at her side, and not even then
until he had called her name.
She started. A momentary shudder
shook her frame. Her face was pale;
not a vestige of color tinged her cheeks
or brow. Her eyes shone with a bright,
unnatural light.
Hugh noticed this strange look, but
attributed it wholly to the excitement
of the moment, never once dreaming
it's real cause.
Come, Maline; Mr.. Clankton awaits
US; all is ready"
Sac regarded him v%acantly.
Mr.. CIankton-Who is he9 What
does he want with me?'
Do you not know the village pastor9'
he asked, and did I not tell you this
morning that the ceremony would take
place to night?'
What ceremony p she asked.
Hugh regarded her in silent amaze.
ment.
why our marriage ceremony" he
replied. Did you not promise me
this morning that you would marry
me?'
= don't know" she said; "but do
you think he will die2"
Who, tatherG"
'.Yss.
There can be 10 doubt of it." he
ans wered; he is sinking very rapidly
he'll not live through the night"
Oh! 1 am so gladI she cried-so
gladm
To say that Hugh was surprised
at this unnatural demonstration or
the part of his adopted sister, would
be putting it lightly. He was dumb
founded-speechless with amazement.
All at once the truth dawned upon his
bewildered brain. Merciful heavens!
Could it be true7 Yes, there was nc
doubt of it. Maline was mad-hope-
lessly deranged. The knowledge filed
him with ~unspeakable borrow. What
was to be done Was fate at the last
moment to rob him of the wealth for
which he had bartered his soul-for
which he had sacrificed honor, princi-
pie and all that was most dear TO him
on earth2 No!-a thousand times no!
For a moment his very brain seemed
paralized. His mind was a blank. He
could not think. Then his mental Wis
ion cleared, He once more saw his
way clearly. He actually laughed in
his Joy. Yes, he would marry her
sane or insane. In her present state of
mind she was as docile as a child. If she
acted a little strangely, nc one would
notice it under the circumstances.
Once married, he would speedily get
control of her property, and then, after
she had served his purpose, he
would have her placed in an insane
asylum. Then he would marry Rose
Deafness Cannot be Cured
by local applications as they cannot reach the
diseased portion OF the ear. There IS only, 0uo