The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1896-10-06
CHAPTER XT.

CHAPTER XT.
HUGH CARAVAN AND HIS RID GO TO
WASHINGTON III BUSINESS BE
FORE PLEASURE-CHARLIE IvEY
HIS MIDNIGHT VISIT TO
ISLAND HOME WHAT
he FINDS THERE
MALENE-
LOST.
When Hugh Caravan left the noun
tains of Western North Carolina, the
morning following his marriage to
Rose HasWell, he went directly to
Washington City. he remained a
week or more and then, repackiDg his
baggage, left for parts unknown. His
visit to this place seems to have been
strictly a business one, for not a day
passed, during his stay there but that
the greater portion of it was spent
either at the Mint or the Treasury De
partment. What his business was,
however, no one seemed 20 know or
care, and on the eighth day of his 80
,urn in the Capital of the Republic.
he boarded a train, accompanied by
his beautiful bride, and went south
ward.
Island Home lay quietly sleeping, lit
by the rays Of the midnight moon.
Upon it's deserted shores, the ebb tide
falls with a low, monotonous sound.
From the opposite bank, over towards
the village, a light skif shoots out
from the shadows and heads directly
for the island. Toe boat contains but
a single occupant, who, with SLOW,
measured stroke, pulls steadily upon
the oars, and in the ourse of ten or
fifteen minutes, reaches the landing
just below the house. Here, springing
sc the stone step way leading to the
waters edge, the boatsman securely
fastens his canoe, then rising to his
full height, stands fully revealed in the
Charlie Ivey-a parsonage Of whom
the reader has had but slight acquain-
tance-only a glimpse having been
given of him as he parted at the spring
with Malene, j st prior to her unhappy
marriage with Hugh Caravan. As
Charlie Ivey, in the future, is to play
a conspicuous part IN the leading char
~acteriatlcJ of this story, a word here
regarding him, will, perhaps, not be
out Of place.
Charlie livery was the stapsoD of the
Rev. Ieaiah Cl8nkt0n Of the village
church of Riverview. For twenty
years or more this man of God had
lived and labored here, beloved and
honored not only by his congregation,
but the community at large.
Charles acquaintance with M8lene
dated from the early days of childhood.
They had attended the sarne village
school, but as they grow older, the
imaginary differences that existed in
their social positions, created by wealth
on the one hand and poverty on the
other, prevented them mi0giing as
equals. Notwithstanding this barrier
Of social distinctions, Charlie often
found his way to Island Home, and
was most heartily welcomed by the
pretty orphan girl. AS a boy, he had
c~herisheda tender feeling for sweet Ma
lene, which, as he grew up to manhood.
developed into an all absorbing, pas
siouata love. But not until he had fla
ished his collegiate course and received
a parchment that enti5led MIN to ali
the privileges of a full f4dged, prac
ticing physician, did he faally dare
to approach the idol Of his heart and
lay at her feet the heart hat had so
long been hers. His love was recipro-
Gated Woman like, Malene had
guessed his love long before he had
openly declared it, and, in return, had
given him the first love of her pure
young heart-a love that NJ time could
DESTROY. In their case it was indeed
1.-TWO minds with but a sing'e thought,
Two hearts that beat as O4e."
Charlie Ivey was just on the v OF
speaking to her father regarding che
matter when circumstances already
related prevented. Not once since the
sad parting that took place at the
spring until the night of her marriage
had he e her. 4 morbid, neon
trolable desire
only tt see her face once more,
Only to hear her voice"
had led him across the river that night
and beneath the open easement. His
wish had been granted. He had seen