Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1881-05-21

"Cieoi4c w w dAtcI AUstiu rs ne stOOt III
the midst Of the home circle, tall, gentle, |
manly handsome and elf-possessed.
Old Mr. CressingtOn was in his richest |
humor as he led forward two Young girls.
Come don't be shy now, Walter, this is
your cousin, Mabel Cressington, and this is
her good friend and lnseparable companion
Irene Vance, come to help to entertain
yon. My nephew. Mr. Walter Austin, girls.
And this is Aunt Cornelia you remember
well enough, hey?'
And SO the presentation was merrily
gotten over. and Walter found himself at
home in the most pleasant family he had
ever known.
They were remarkably pretty girls with
deep blue eyes-although Miss Vance's
were decidedly the deeper blue and more
bewitching-and lovely, yellow-gold hair.
Walter found himself admlring the style
of Miss Vance's coiUeur before he had
known her an hour; and when he went up
to his room that night he felt as if between
the two, roguish Mabel and sweet little
Irene. he would never come out heart
whole
For Mabel is q good little darling"
thought he, "and | will take Greatuncle
Abiah's advice and fall in love with her,
and thereby secure geperous share OF the
Cressington estate. Egad. that's happy
thought.
But the handsome young gentleman
went to sleep and dreamed, instead of
MabePs laughing eyes, of Irene's gentle,
tender ones; and awoke somewhere in the
middle of the night, unable to get asleep
again for thinking Of her.
: A nd the after hava were NOT much better
Despite the golden value of Mabel, there
was something about Irene Vance that
made this headstrong fellow very foollshly
indifferent to the advice he had sworn to
| follow
Because, by Jove. fellow would have
to be made out of granite to resist the sweet
shy ways of such little darling as Irene!
And Iii marry her if she'll have me, and
the money and property may go to the
dogs. Pve head and pair of hands, and
blue-eyed Irene shall not suffer-"
1t was not an hour later that he met her
10 the hall, carrying great boughs Of holly.
with which to festoon, down the walnut
staircase.
f'Give me your burden, lrene,' SAID he.
why did you not tell me you were going
to gather it, and let me go with youf 1t
is altogether too heavy a burden for your
| arms to bear
He managed to yet the lovely sprays
from her arms, but it required an immense
amount of tardy effort on his part, and shy.
sweet blushlng on hers.
"Answer me, Irene, Why didn't yor
let me 60 with you2 Wouldn't you have
liked it,"
He demanded her answer in the mos
captivating, lordly way, and she dropped
her eyes in great confusion.
"I-e-s."
"Then why we're you 80 cruel 20 me2
: Il am not cruel to anybody. Indeed
must 60 now"
Walter placed himself squarely in th
, way, and was looking down at her rose
tinted face.
"No, you can't 60 yet. Irene, you ar
cruel, or you would never depnve one 0
8 the opportunity to enjoy the blessednes
of your society,"" His voice lowered ten
: derby, and he dropped his head nearer he
golden curls. "You know think it crue
d IN you to be SO distant, and shy, and re
r served with me- don't you, Irene?"
She shrank away, her lovely form droor
> ing like lily, her cheeks hanging out the
signals of distress and confusion.
:, ooh, please don't talk so to me- Indee
Ii | must 60. Mabel is waiting for the holly
and she-they won't like it if
r But she was a prisoner in his tight clasI
/ IF what2 If they find you and n
talking SO confdentially together3"
l. mo! mean If don't take the holl
u at once
Walter put his arm around her waist bt
II fore she knew what he was doing
o Irene, look up. You shall not 60 III
le til yon let me see in your eyes If you 10,
me as well as love you! Irene, my des
5 little girl, do love you very dearly
She was silent for one second, and /
saw the culver of her red lips. Then 81
- =, raised her head slowly, shyly.
'. "You love mel Oh, Walter, what wi
* they all sayl Don't you know it is Nab
:, you should say that to? ALI nobody, ar
Mabel is an heiress.'
Waiter had both arms around her by th
d. time, and WAS looking ardently in her glo,
: ing face.
= Il know Mabel Is an heiress, and mic
* little girl, and | also know you are da
: ling, my darling-and the only girl l ev
- asked toa be my wife, eOr ever snail as
~ :, Say yes, pet
= His tones were lew and tender. bu, Il
=, umphant
~ '.And you can deliberately give up
~ much for only just mel"
~ Her woI !rous eyes met his bravely no
and thrilled him with the ioye light
them.
a. "On'y just you,my own darling. VIII
YOU are more than all he world tc II
~ Coale, we will GO tell Uncle Ablan a, ono
- Just one kiss tirst-you must"
:, And he had more than one or two: beto
~ he led ner biushing, with tears trembl
y, on her lashes, like diamonds of gold
nc thread, To Uncle Abiah, who sat in
library with Mira Cornelia, indus;riou
~ looking over receip, book They looh
= up in surprise IS Naiter marched in, Irt
''e on his arm, picture Of confusion
If you please, Uncle Abiah. Wi
:, ,our blessing and cordial coasen, TO rece
- a this little gsri for your niece love h
''e and she loves ME.
Uncle Ablah looked shrewdIy over
/ ~ Ne