The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-07-24

hands," the widow blushed;" and now please
to sit down with me, or cannot eat a NOR
sell"
Il had supper long ago. but really think
can take something more." said Mrs. Mi.
nards, drawing her chair nearer to the table.
"Of course you can, my dear lady; in this
cold autumn weather people ought TO eat
twice as much as they DO in warm. Let me
give yon piece Of this ham, your own cur
ing dare say"
" Yes; nv poor husband was very fond OF
It. lie used 10 say that no one understood
curing ham and drying beef better than l."
'' lie was most sensible man, am sure.
| drink yaur health, ma'am, in this cider"
lie took long draush aud set down his
glass.
"It is like nectar"
The widow was feeding Bowse and the cat
(who thought they were eutitIed to a share
oi every meal eaten in the house,) and did
tot quite hear what he said. fancy she
hardly would have known what "nectar'
was--sn il was quite as well.
q" Fine dog, ma'am, and very pretty cat"
They were my husbands lavorites," and
"a sigh followed the answer.
" All, your husband must have been very
happy man."
The blue eyes looked at her so long that
she grew Hurried.
" Is there anything more that ! can get for
YOU, sir :" she asked, at last
/" Nothing, thank you, have finished"
She rose 10 clear the things away. Heas.
sisted her, and somehow their hands had a
qaeer katck of touching as they carried the
dishes to the pantry shelves. Coming back
To the kitchen, she put the apples and cider
in their old places. and brought out clean
pipe and box Of tobacco from an arched re-
cess near the chimney.
Ny husband always said he could not
sleep alter eating supper late unless He smok-
81. she said. " Perhaps you would like to
Try H."
Not If it is to drive you away" he an
swerpd, for she had her candle in her hand.
Oh. no; ! do not object TO smoke at ALL"
She put the candle down, some faint sugges-
tion about propriety" troubled her, but she
glanced at the did clock and felt treasured.
IL was only half-past nine.
The stranger pushed the stand back after
the pipe vas lit, and drew her easy chair
little nearer the FIRE, and his own.
ShtHE sAA huNUB uG salu picdulUStNg " >
not late. aud when man has been knock
/ ing about in California and all sorts oil pa-
ces, for score Of years, he is glad enough
10 get into a berth like this, and to have
pretty woman to speak TO once again"
California! Have you heen il Csifor-
nia:" she exclaimed, dropping into the chair
~ once. unconsciously she had long cher
ishrd the idea that sam Payson, the lover Of
her Youth. with whom she had so fooIishly
quarrelled, had pitched his tent, after many
wandcrings, in that far-of land. Her heart
warmed 10 nne who. with something Of Sans
lo'k. and says about him, had also been So
jonrninS in that country. and who very pos
,ibly had met him-perhaps had known him
Intimately! At that thought her heart beat
quick, and she looked graciously at the
bearded stranger, who, dressed 10 Mnards'
dressing gown. wearing MIR Minards slip
prrs, and .ltiing in Nir. Minards' chair, be.
siIr ilr. Minards' wife. smoked Mr.. Mi
naHl.' PIPE with such an air ~ feeling most
thoroughly md comfortably at home!
Yes. MAN. I've been in California for
the last tx years. And before that | went
quite rona.I the world ia whaling ship"
+" Good gracious -
4 CONCLUDED IN our next.