Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1881-04-16
At Death S Door.

Nothing but prlvate-a common prl-
vAtel'
1t WOULD be in vain to attempt to pof-
tray the Lady Macbethian scorn which
curved proud Harriet Deane's lip as she
spoke tie sentence
= John Hollis, albeit he was quite con-
scious of not deserving the keen edged con-
tempt quailed beneath it.
1 But, Harriet
flush 7 said the imperious beauty, hold
ing up warning finger, II want to under
stand this matter. Gilbert Armuur was
promoted to be second lieutenant, was he
noli'
Yes
and you are his equal IN all respects?'
Yes
Might you not also have shared the
honor he obtaincd? 2?
i night, | suppose said the young
soldier, fixing his c,-lm, dark eyes upon
her far flushed face, ''if had chosen to
do SO at the expense of poor Talbot, who
earned Lis shoulder straps long ago. They
should have been his by every right,
months snce, but poverty and oh.
scurlly are not the Lest place winners.
| Either Gilbert Armour or | must stanC
aside to see a wronged man righted. He
| dld not choose to sacrifice promotion to q
scrupe. | dlu, Harriet-was | wrong'
| ON, Of course, it s nothing to me, re
| piled Hiss Deanc. Will you be goot
enough to hand me that work baskell
John Hollis looked at the pretty creature
around whom the love of his strong ma
turc had been entwined with fervor rar'
III & foe
wlstiul pelplcxlty.
Shining auburn hair, parted from a low
pearl pure brow, deep blue eyes, and
mouth "hose intense crimson was like tn
inside leaves OF a rose-Iiarriet Deane Wa
10y no means disagree able TO look at.
liollls was quit" aware Of the fact.
'Hanict;' he began.
Excuse me, SAID Miss Deane; 81 ar
particularly busy counting these stitches
please don interrupt NE.
nversed as he was in the dcviOu
wlndngs OF feminine nature, he felt ths
this was intended tor a dismissal.
IN uy again to- night, he unused, walk
ing homeward
The clear January sky was jewel, d wit
church clock had just chimcd nine frol
s It's dfm heliry, when he entered the brigl
room, With its messy blue carpet and han,
lngs OF azure silk, and Partisan staluett,
hluuen by vases OF vivid roses.
1t was not empty, however, as he Ia
hoped and expected.
Lieutenant Armour stood in the midd
OF the apartment, decidedly conscious
his tine Lew shoulder straps, and patronI
ing dozen pretty girls.
lie needed laughinsly to Hollis, ar
wen, on with a sentence when his ei
trance had interrupted.
Leap year-to be sure it is. And
may as Well state at once that I'm Qui
J ready 10 receives any propositions V
ladies' may have 10 n.ake.
'Nonscnse-nons.nse, said May Fl
hiustone, his COUSIN.
Vel, II generally is nonsense, bu, /
De consluerate anu Lake every aIlowan
tina; IS possible think It's a great shan
that the girls oon jump at the chane
when We poor men stand as ready al
; wiling sicMs-aA bushes ana tim
Alancts.
lie looked at Miss Deane as he spob
!, ia!i III earnest, hall lestingy.
< John III 1llis eyes followed the direct.
q u his a. Il by fascination.
u Tic SAW the Iu>n mounting impu.Svt
u llarflti's Cheek. and The blue eyes Ii
zen y their White lids.
How long Ii Jllis stood there, with {
dy pain SUI LI TIL loush his bran, he
nUt know.
He WAS aroused by the breaking up
the attic part, the soiuu 81 merry vUlc
aid liaylu! adleuA.
u HaiIltt Deaue was Standing under
y chaLdeiler. one hand resting ON tie car,
Il. baCh oi a GoiLiC chair.
, Giibtrt Armo Ur iounged on sofa, " i
n the blue SILK curtains swept over an
AZ trance 10 8 bay window.
<. As IoiAs pressed iorwasd 20 escape
n tus'ie aid Lone, Miss klpLlns.o4e
i Atr hand gently IN his shoulder
1e No, Lo, sLe wLlsreI,d, archly, ''t'
- you see IT'S al uno.rs tooc matter oeiw
q. Gilbert and Hairiel Glve nle Your t
u ana lake nle home, t,r Giioer, viii
give NE another Though; tonight"