The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1882-08-31
SCOTLAND NECK, n. c. THURSDAY, AUGUST 81, 1882

and Pussy, With his help, soon
stands beside him.
81 hope you are not hurt, the young
man says as he lifts his voice grave,
though his eyes still brim over with
fun.
"Not at ALL" Pussy answers ''but
I am on my way to the village, and
1 am afraid if I go on 1 shall fall
again. [ think I will turn back
81 am going to the village myself,
and if you will allow me, will &C
company you as far as you co.
'Oh, thank you," Pussy says: 81
SHALL not be at all afraid Of slipping
coming back, as it will be up hill"
And so they walk off together, and
before long, with the bonhomie of
youth, they are chatting together as
they had known each other for weeks
instead of moments. They part at
the post-ofice, which likewise is the
repository Of all the Eeedfuls of life,
such as sugar. teas, needles and pins,
and like commodities.
81 am ever so much obliged to
you," Pussy says earnestly, raising
her soft, innocent eyes to the hand.
some face Of her escort
Thanks are needless" he says
politely. 81 am only glad that you
were not hurt by your fall
A mischievous light flashes into
Pussy's eyes, and she replies de-
murely,- ...-
GAIL the same / do thank you, and
l am equally glad that you escaped
any injury from your fall" empha-
sizing the ''your'' very palpably.
AS the door closes upon the girls
slight figure, faint smile curves the
gentleman's mouth.
"What little darling! 1 am not
by any means sure that [ have es-
capped a serious injury after ALL" he
thinks to himself.
See here, Gray he says to a
gentleman who is just passing, Il
have question to ask you. You
have lived around here long enough
to know something of the people.
Can you tell me who the young lady
is you saw me with just now p
"Of course can, though l am not
acquainted. Why, she's the daugh-
ter Of
Turning, the two gentlemen move
on, and the crisp. wind carries away
what they are saying,
A couple of hours later sees Pussy
at home once more. No one is in
the sitting-room, and as she runs up
the stairs she sees that the parlor
door is open and hears voices. Her
face blanches and then fushes again.
Il am sure it is Mr.. Law she
thinks, turning to flee; but she is
not quick enough, her light steps
have been heard, and at Sarah's call
the girl goes with a fierce, resentful
feeling, as if some animal caught in
a trap. to face. as she thinks, the
detested suitor she has determined
to accept for the sake of her mother
to prevent her being turned in her
old age from her home. But when
she is once within the room, Pussy
pauses in amazement, for there,
seated on the sofa. in easy converse
ton with her mother, she sees the
gentleman who had so kindly come
to her assistance few hours before.
"Pussy, this is Mr.. Elbermarle, .
Sarah says, land he has been SO
very kind as to offer to let us keep
the homestead at a very low rent
Please, sister, join with me in telling
him what a load he has lifte ID from
our minds
The gentleman rises, and as Pussy
lays her dimpled hand in his he
says
''How cruel you must have deemed
me. Miss Goldthwaite. 1 must con
fess it-though it is my shame
leave my business affairs too entire
ly in my lawyers hands. He acted
quite ON his own responsibility il
this matter. / have learned . les
son; henceforth 1 will be my owl
agent. Can you forgive me fol
causing you all so much distress ?''
There a thrill of earnestness in his
tones more than the occasion seems
to require, and something within
Pussy's breast responds oit, though
unconsciously. Otherwise, why does
her lovely face color so charm
iDgly +?
Mr.. Elbermarle leaves the occu
pants of the Goldthwaite no me with
far brighter hearts than he found
them. And when, day later, Mr.
Law-the rich old man who coveted
his neighbor's lamb-comes for his
answer, he goes away with more rue.
fulness than his demeanor usually
possesses.
Three months of education does
not make a scholar, nor yet would
the same number of months of toll
for the "root of all evil'' bring the
desired wealth but three months of
love-making can be made Ito count
for a good deal, and so finds Roger
Elbermarle.
The winter is over and spring is
here; the month when the birds
choose their mates and build their
homes, and mems minds turn in
Stinctiva1v to thOuObtc Of 1Ovo on6