Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-04-15

Like man he faced the disgrace, and
was cool and dignifed until he was dis
missed on the following day, the evil
dence against him not being considered
serious enough tc condemn him.
So he went West with a heavy hear,
to seek his fortune. knowing that his life
long friends alone deemed him guiltless
Of the CALLING changes against his name
and honor.
A year went round, and it was already
the sprlDgtime Of another, and Esther
prayed day and night for the welfare
and the success of her absent lover.
The only happy moments of her life
were when she sat with the Widow
Stanley and talked Of George.
Oh, how happy the poor boy might
have been could he have heard these
.wo loving women talk of him and have
known the depth of their affection
Returning one afternoon from tie cot
tage Esther met her father on The yer
anda.
Esther said the old man, 81 want
to speak to you. | have decided to over
haul the old house. furnish it up bit,
Il don't see the use Of it, father, dear,
she replied"
Don't you sis ?" with a sly wink; do
you think the old place is fit for tie
wedding Of the richest girl in Mays
Vile ?'
MY wedding, father, Esther gasped.
Certainly, why not? I've always
thought DR.. Bell was sweet on you, and
to-day he asked me fer you. Now,
could not be better pleased than to
Father, hush, / cannot marry DR..
Bell"
Why not?"
because l never loved him.
ooh, that's all right. In the mean
time I'll have the carpenters round II
morning and have them throw out bay
window in the sitting room.
And with jovial laugt the old maj
sauntercd down the steps and away
through the sunshine.
Up in her chamber that night Esther
stood at the window and raised pale
tearwet face to the twinkling stars
I'll die first" she murmured, rcso
lu.ely, "for | promised George that
will be true to him, and | will not breal
that promise.
Bright and early she appeared a
breakfast the following morning and
though her father eyed her keenly. h
never mistrusted the conflict she hat
been waging through the dead wastes .
the night.
With shudder of horror, Esthe
heard the carpenters begin to work a
the sitting room window, and while he
father stood in the front of the hous
planning some alterations with th
architect. she fled to her room to stiff
her misery by reading Georges lette
the twentieth time.
Scarcely had she concluded the peru
sal Of the second page when rap cam
) upon tho door, and upon opening it
) Esther encountered the mald-of-all
work.
"P.ease, Miss Esther the girl sal
extending something Ill her hand. 9TH
carpenters found this when they tor
away the mop board beneath the sittin
room window
Esther took the object, uttered viii
cry and darted down stairs.
: Father, look" she cried "Georg
is innocent
With puzzled air the farmer took th
dirty envelope and with trembling fins
ers extracted mildewel note for Sl0(
"Shpped ont of my fingers INTO th;
pesky crack he grasped, "By Jov
what wouldn't l give if that poor DO
was here now | would give you to hil
without one cent for the wrong I'y
done him
In his bewildermcnt the old fello
! did not notice the stir beside hun, an
{ when he raised his eyes at last, TO the
stood George Stanley with Esther tlgh
; ly clasped in his arms.
Your wish is granted, sir, the boy
here hut not poor. There are the bil
YOU wanted to see before | could clai
Esther
But the old farmer pushed the pr
fered wallet aside and faltere! brohenl
Say no more about 1t, George
take her, she Is yours. and may heav
forgive me and bless you See here NJ
What t's-y your-name, | want you to G
through with these improvements
y double quick time. for there's going
Is be Wedding here next week.