Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1905-01-05

| mean it, Winifred." His voice fall
tered. She did not speak. s'WilI
your
NO." she replied, with no emotion,
whatever.
His face had been working with
some strong, deep feeling. But that
monosyllable seemed to strike him like
blow. He stood looking at her, his
face still and desperate.
II did not think God could make such
woman as you are,'' he said at last.
felt her shrink beneath the actual
horror with which he seemed to regard
her. But she spoke with unaltered
composure:
II told you more than year ago
that l should pay no more debts Of
yours, contracted in gambling or in
any other way" she said. II mean it.
you know that mean it. I have given
you fair warning. I shall not
change" He did not speak; his head
was dropped upon his breast; he was
deathly pale. Il have done my duty
Wy you, 1uy-you Know nave, she
added.
Eyes, you have been just, but you
have never been merciful," he replied.
''Oh, Godv'
He flung up his arms with 4 bitter
cry that wrung my heart
looked at her. No, she did not re-
lent or go to him. He had flung him
self into a chair, and with his head
dropped into his arms folded upon the
back, was the most hopeless figure I
had ever seen. She arose, for I had
finished her hair, and took 8 seat near.
er the fire. Her lips were gray, as il
she were cold, but her face was still as
inflexible as flint.
He gave a groan and started up sud-
denly.
tI am going,'' he said. d" He
met her eye, and asked: why do you
not kill me? was altogether in your
hands once. You killed her, you will
remember"
A slight flush stained her cheek.
"You would have made her happy, l
suppose, If she had lived" she said,
sarcastically. But the sting did not
seem to reach him.
''If she had lived: Oh, Heaven: i
she had lived! Winifred. may God
deal by you as you have dealt by me-"
II am willing" she answered.
He remained but a moment longer
Wrapping his cloak about him, he gave
her one look Of reproach and left the
room. I looked wistfully at her; she
did not speak 10 me, and /, too, went
! away. She was i'll the next day, but
ON the following day she appeared
| much as usual.
OF all that thought and felt, I, OF
course, said nothing The matter was
! TO affair Of mine. I understood that
the young man was named Guy Sed.
! ley. that he was dissolute and in dis
grace, that Mrs. Saltby had taken care
| Of him in boyhood, but now ignored
the relationship. I was in no way al
lowed to learn any more.
| But on the second night was awak.
ened by a light shining into my cham
ber. It was something unusual, for
the little clock on the mantel was
! Ginning II. After a moment slipped
| out OF bed and glided toward the open
door. The long, embroidered folds OF
| my night dress nearly trdpped me up;
but I made no noise with my bare fee,
upon the deep velvet OF the carpet.
don't know whom I expected to see
/ .4oi 1v 1,nt Lvyn forr ho
fore a sandalwood chest, with papers
strewn around on the floor. A taper
burning On the mantel showed his face
perfectly cool as he went on searching
for something. He must have come
I through my room to reach the apart
ment, for 1t had no opening but int
! my chamber I saw, too, a dirk kuife
on the floor, close at his side. / looked
at him an instant. Even then re
membered to pity him, then glided for
ward, snatched the knife and ieapet
back to the door. was mistress OF
the situation, for / had come from be
hind him and done all as in a. flash
and as he rose to his feet stood will
4. calmness that showed that it wa!
not my intention to Immediately arouse
the house.
!! With q presence Of mind equal t.
my own, he put the roll of bank note.
he had been searching for into th,
pocket Of his waistcoat, and with {
glittering eye regarded me specula
lively. did not scream. I know nov
that he was not much afraid of me-.
i "You have been robbing your sister,
I said, ''but if you will put the none.
back will let you go.''
His intense attention of me changed
| to look Of wonder.
You, child, are not afraid of me?
= he asked. -
!, NO." I answered truthfulIy.
4 "But ! watched you in your sleeI