Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1903-04-02
HLLsBoRo, n c. THURSDAY, APRIL z 1903 sERIEs-Y6

vaguely far on the horizon. On the
other side three miles Of deserted road
lay between her and her hotel. In the
direction Of the station lay nearer safe
y-but humiliation; Dor we'll did Miss
Dennison know that her strength lay
in her invulnerability. Let her once
lay down her sceptre and her reign Of
tyranny was over for ever. For six
months she had enjoyed despotism;
was she now to eat humble-pie and cry
out for protection? With Napoleonic
resolution Miss Dennison turned in the
direction of the hotel.
She took five steps; then, far away
on the distant marshland, she saw
moving shadow. For the first moment
she assured herself it was but fan
tasy* of her Imagination Then the
shadow came nearer and resolved it.
self into human figure--a shutting,
clumsy, furtive figure, creeping with
bent head along the wall which separ-
ated the barren pastures. Miss Denni-
son stood. arrested. The wind
moaned and whistled round the hoard
ing, but she heard it not. Her eyes
were fixed on the strange figure adj
vancing from the mists. Presently 1t
hesitated and stopped short Had 1t
seen her? Suddenly, with cat-like
swiftness, the figure left the shelter
Of the wall, and, still with downcast
head, struck out into the open field.
With curious, swift strides, it was COW
ering the intervening ground; in few
minutes it would strike the open road
beside her.
Miss Dennison cast one wild glance
along the road in vain. Then, with
sudden shrek, she was beating a re-
treat toward the station as fast as
fear and the kindly wind could carry
her.
Somewhere behind her hoarse voice
shouted; somewhere behind her heavy
footsteps fastened. With blind eyes,
Miss Dennison fed on. Now the lights
Of the station twinkled in the distance;
now the downward hill was gained
which led there. Now-oh, rapture!-
a tall, broad-shouldered and despised
betrothed turned and stood amazed
| in the roadway, to see Minerva fallen
from her pedestal and running after
him!
"Saye mer' said Miss Dennison, and
| flung herself, penitent, submissive,
! breathless, in his arms.
| "For Gods sake, darling. here's
| someone coming past! Wait second
| till he's passed usr'
| Miss Dennison's betrothed, though
lover, was an Englishman.
| Miss Dennison opened her eyes faint
ly.
Hes got your boa. See he's coming
up to you"
Two embarrassed young people stood
still while still more embarrassed po-
liceman approached them sheepishly.
II called to the young lady. but you
didn't seem to hear, Miss. You dropped
| it just by boarding. I was coming
across marsh and see the wind take
| it, and I caught it as it flew across the
ratings yonder.'
Miss Dennison smiled whitley; Miss
Dennison's betrothed thanked the po-
liceman more substantially. The po-
liceman continued to the station with
contentment in his tread.
"Now. darling,'' said Miss Dennison's g
betrothed. III
"Oh. don't be angryv' said sudden
ly abject despot. "I'll never be horrid
again. I'll always do exactly what you
tell me. Only, darling, darling, dar.
ling, don't leave me to go home along
that dreadful, dreadful road alone!"
my poor, frightened little girl
What brute I've beenv'
"You have rather confessed Miss
Dennison.
e e. =
i Along the lonely road two lovers
, loitered The wind swept merrily
above them and around them, all un
. needed. Miss Dennison's face was
screened from the rough b1est, he1
head was hidden penitently against {
sheltering arm.
Il And, as they walked along, Miss
, Dennison's betrothed concluded kint
. and decisive conversation in which
r Miss Dennison played an astonishingly
, contrite and secondary part
: "And you understand, dear, there are
I to be no more of these ridiculous quar-
: rels."
"No. darling. I'll do whatever yor
e WISH"
y s'The man must always be the head
I've been foolish to give into you 81
weakly It's been as much my faul
r as yours" :: = :, IN
= Eyes, dear; it has"
! "But you have been very inconsider
= ate.''
"a woman is always more IN low
e than man.
: "a man has duties which he mus
7. fulfill"
S Eyes, darling; and it's very wonder
;; full and beautiful Of him TO neglec
= them for woman's. sake-a silly, COW
:. ardly, selfish, unattractive girl!
el Miss Dennison's betrothed refute
It such an appreciation OF her characte
6 with warmth.
IS "Pleaser' said Miss Dennison. ''Th
- E