Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-07-29

IylaiuIy pro else | wonder II she accclted
your invitation to make us visit. |
hop. uot for we'll have to drop all pet
names while she's here. She'll Meiie-
table YOU an1 Nelson me- | wouldn't
be surprised but tlfat she considers it
altogether too familiar to address people
bv rhcir given names aud we will 1T
once be promoted to Mr.. and Mrs !
DO let me take the letter Ne. Ira
- anxious to read what she has written.
She used to be my dearest friend, years
ago when We were little girls. | haven't
seen her for great many years. All!
Just rs | thought; she can't leave home
tor any length of time; but she writes
that i.i'.r's ciuiu-Pcttr YsA i.er
broth T, two CT three years youager
than her,clf--Is with her. She thinks
that the child Is lonely, and needs a
change quite badly If 1t will not be a
bother to us, she vii send Harrie down
the end of that time and make lne a
snort visit.
Mel puckered up his lips and gave
won't to ii long, expressive whistle.
a little boys next thing to an old
maid. What will We DO with the small
| tornado. mother"
ooh, Mel, you'll ha, e TO anlusc him
III some way AS for me, | rather like
the Idea Q; having a child about once
more, I've lostmy little boy, you know, ;
with a fond, upward glance
Speaking of that lost hoy Of yours
r,lninds me that I've an old chest Of
81 =
everlasting fir endshlp, and bring the
condemnation OF Aunt Thankful down
on my devoted head, by presenting them
on the very d y OF his arrival.
OIL have Bridget fix up the little
room next to yours for Harrle. She can
make it SO cosy aud pleasant; AMI you
must take Lim out on the lake III your
sallboat occasionally. SAID Mrs Morton,
whose kindly heart was INSTANTLY II led
with plans Tor the comfort and pleasure
of the unexpected guest.
"What "a pity that the depot isn't
nearer. said Mel, refcctively. l guess
I'll take the horses instead Of the car
rage when l 60 to meet him. The
little fellow will TO delighted with a
horseback ride. Who ever saw boy
that wasnt?"
..Oi course he will, the poor little
dear, expect he's had rather sorry
time OF 1t, with only Thankful for con-
pany. He shall make all the noise he
hkes for the next Two weeks.
Mrs. Morton instantly answered Miss
Moore letter, setting al early day fol
Harrle's visit.
The day arrived, and Mel, with Oh,
OF the carriage ponies and LIS owl
handsome horse, started for the depot
In a few mouents the train came thun
dcrng III, and the usual hustle ant
hurry ensucd.
Mel vunly searched among the nov
arrivals .or his lt.le charge Thtr,
t Wa, "a little boy with his nurse, and
big boy with his father; but no DO,
t answering the description OF the on
I Mel WAS III search of.
:, Dear mel he said, in perplexity
: Il hope he hasn't been taken on Wit
| the tram.
| At that moment lie esp;ed youn
c lady, whose wide, blue eyes wore yer
Il auAlouS expression, as she searched til
T faces Of those about her III vain atteml
to tiud the one for which she was loor
Il ing. Stepping UP to her side, Mel llftc
{ his hat politely, aud asked If he cuul
{ assist her IN any way
3 II expected young lady to meet n
u at TINS train, but fear that som ethiu
n has occurred to detaln her, she saj
< with tears of ytxation IN her eyes.
ii "And l came to escort a little DO,
who has failed to put in an appearance,
l. to my home, he sad, smiling. =
81 you VIII tell me the young lady's nam
$. perhaps 1 may assist you III ii ding Ii,
le residence.
4 Her name is Mel Norton" 81
IS answered.
st And the little boy | was - meet
st tins train was Harrie More exclaim,
$, \tl VIII le his features went through
III series OF contortlons, III a vain attenl
| 10 conceal the merrimeut which til
III luaicrous mistake stirred ~ within hl,
le Are -you-Ncn:'
>, Harrle looked up at the tall, haa
:" some, aroal- -shoulderel young man
- b>ullGered surprise. scarcely knowl.
y whether 10 laugn or cry at the mlstah
: My name Is Nelson, but motl
|
s. rltyAg her .>lIcut ,mbarrassnes
& And YOU must be Harlle, vii,
:, mother sent NE 10 meet. | shall h..
&C ~ take YOU into the ladies Waiting RI, ,
1e until | make some changes III my
~ rahgeucnts Ter conveying you home
- Procuring q hack. he placed her IL
. AID ait giving the directions 10 |
-, driver, lie mounted his horse, and TAX
~ the pony birdie, rode by the side
- the hack, So that he might reach Lo.
IL time to introduce Harrle 70 III, mol
:" er ard relieve her from further eral .
rassmelt.
1t IS all Oh the account the na-ac.
8" said Mrs. Morton. auShlng heartily,
- she kissed Harrie's flushed cheeks, -,
~ I'm ever so glad that You are not
a. little boy, dear. | shall enjoy y
~ society So much better.
10 Il shall not break my heart over ]
~ =. Disappointment, thought Nel, as
- cast admirlng glances al the brig
animated Young face opposite.
"Oh. what would Aunt Thankful