Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1882-02-11

heart Of hearts,
80 the engagement was broken of.
aed Madeline went home again.
Don't fret, Felix" coaxed she
"lts deal better for you, if you can
get used to the idea. If ever I have q
mother-ln law, l mean that she shal,
love me-oh, so dearly!"
To Mrs. Dashwood's surprise. Felix
took this overthrow ef his hearts dear
est hopes very coolly.
II had hoped that you would learn to
love Madeline" he said, Indeed. I
do not know how any one could help it.
But If you can't-why, there's an end Of
the matter''
Witnin a few days Mrs. Dashwood re-
ceived letter from Cousin Thespia, a
young lady from the West. Cousin
Thespia was coming to Dashwood Hall,
to get acquainted with her unknown
relations. The old | dy's heart leaped
up within her.
,'Perhaps Felix will take fancy to
Thespia," said she to herself.
And she made haste TO refurnish the
little blue boudoir, fill the tiny conserv-
atory with fresh flowers the chill
November days were beginning to
gloam across the horizon now-and Law
out programme of amusement for the
promised guest.
Cousin Thespia came, q black-eyed
girl nearly six feet higk, who laughed
like peal Of bells, talked all the slang
OF the modern young lady, and declared
openly that she found the East unutter-
ably slow.
II shouldn't have come here at all it
| hadn't an idea of going on the stage"
said she. II suppose it's the best place
to study up and get new ideas"
"My DEAR" said scandalized Mrs.
Dashwood, "why on earth should you
go on to the-the 'age?"
Because l like it," said Thespia in
differently.
Apparently Cousin Thespia liked Fe-
lix Eastwood also. She followed him
ont even to the stables-hcrses, she de-
clared, were her delight; she chatted
with him i'll the long. -fire-ighted dusks;
she sang dashing ballads to the piano
for his especial delectation- ballads
that were widely different from poor
Madeline's dreamy noeturnes and soft
sonatas; she openly declared that che
was the very incest fellow she had met
since she crossed the Big River"
Poor Mrs. Dashwood's maternal heart
sank within her.
''Felix," she said, on one of the rare
twilights during which Mr.. Dashwood
was not monopolized by his loud-voiced |
lido hope you won't become
i'll Thespia Clifton"
He smiled.
Mother" said he, "your council |
comes too late. | am already inter-
ested, as you call it. in my cousin
Thespia.
"Felix, she almost screamed, "you
are not--cngaged?''
"Yes, mother. am engaged. Was
net that the very thing for which you
Mrs Dashwood burst into tears.
"a girl who laughs like plow-boy;"
'aid shea girl who is determined to
90 on the stage-a girl who suggests
i'll ones stables. and
,alls us Eastern ladies AN awful sight
90 slowr Felix, Felix you will break
ny heart!'
1T seems to me, mother" said the
-oung man, with a shrug of his shonl-
lers, "that you are very difficult to
,lease. Madeline Westford did not suit
,ou, and THIS young lady from the
Vest
Mrs. Dashwood lifted her hand dep
ecatingly, and began to shed few fee
lie tears.
Felix" she sobbed; ooh, Felix! I
ave been so foolish! If this girl were l
My gone-lf you were only re-engaged
, Madeline Il think should be quite,
ute happy again! For indeed I did 5
OF know how sweet, and womanly aud I
erfect dear Madeline was until" c
Until it was too late," quietly ut
red her son. But here is Thespia.
et her speak for herself"
Miss Thespia Clifton came in like &
ust of wind, dragging one of the honse E
ogs by the color. +
Hes lame, think" said shs nois Q
:. Il brought him in to look at his =
'ot by the lamplght. Eth? What! u
RS. Eastwood crying. Why, what .
.e dickens is the matter with You c
II"
"Thespia. said Felix eravtly; my
other wishes TO ask you few ques-
,ns - >,