Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-02-18

missed out Of the great house, and there !
was something ghostly in the lcok OF
his empty chair when she peeped INTO
his little back Office.
"If was superstltious, she said to
herself, II should think something
dreadful WAS going to happen. I feel
chilly up and down my back, and keep
thinking OF funerals I'll make my
self cup of tea, and see if 1 can get
over it.
And accordingly old Maggie, shut
herself lnio the snug kitchen, and light
ing two candles drew q pot of the
strongest Young hyson, and putting her
feet to the cooking stove began to feel
much more comfortable.
The old clock licked away on the mar
tie, the hands pointing to half past
eight.
"Im going out to bed at nine" said
Maggie "I've worked well to day.
Much thanks I'll get for it, doubt.
Hark what's that?"
1t was sound outside the door-a
! slow solemn grating of wheels. Then
feet trod the pavement, and the bell
rang family. GA carriage" cried Mag
gle. "Has he changed his mind and
brought her home ut once? But that
can't be--hs's not marred yet" And
taking one OF tho candles she trotted to
the door. but not before the bell rung
again
! ''Who's that?" she cried, holding the
door slightly ajar.
a stranger" said voice, cone who
has something very particular to say to
YOU"
You'll hsve to wait until to NOR
row." said Maggie. ''You can't come III
tonight
"My good woman, said the stranger.
"you are Margaret Black?"
"That's my name"
"Mr Van Nott's housekeeper for
twenty years.
"Yes."
"My good woman i. you are attack
ed to your master have bad news fol-
you"
Gracious Lord cried Maggie, but
she did not open the door much wider
enough to thrust her head out Don't
scare me, mister. What is it?'
"Tho worst you can think Of, said
the man. MIR. Van Mott travelled or
the-road, There has been an acci
dent"
Preserve u.s." cried Maggie, letting
the door fall back, "and him on his way
) to his wedding He's hurt badly
them"
Hes dead" said the man. "Dead
| and we've brought him home"
Maggie sat down in u chair and Dcgal
to cry.
"We've done what we could, " said til.
man. "The lady he was to marry an(
her friends will be down to morrow
Meanwhile my instructions are that yo,
shall wath with him and allow no stran
ger to enter the house. There are val2
able things here, I am told; and Mr.
/. Van Motifs lawyer must take possession
! Of them. and seal them up before stran
: ge,s have access to the room.
; "Oh, dear, dear!" cried old Maggie
that it should come to this. Yes,
:, will watch alone. I'm not afrai. d but Oh
: dear"
y Then she shrauk back and let two me
: carry horrible looking coffin into tn
front parlor.
They came ont with their hats oil
II and the other man also held his in In
hand.
) 81 regret to leave YOU all alone III tn
II house. he said.
a 81 don't mind that, - said old Maggi
y '.but it's terrible
l. Would you like me to stay" said til
II man.
,, mo, said Maggie, "I've no fear
c living or dead folks. You can CO..
h Then she locked the door, went int
t The parlor and putting the candle on Il
r mantle looked at the coffin through Ii,
Is MAS good enough to me 81
le sai1 Mr.. Archibald! And til
ar comes Rting to marry at this tin
E of life, and galivanting on railroads.
g wonder whether he is changed muc
y I'll take lock-" and Maggie cross.