Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1884-09-06
v lhkl|'NG An HEIRESS.

II" tWlRht, stealing softly through
te heavy silk window draperies of the
III r. n Abbott Court, became trans
,oraci into sort of crimson duskiness
-,... clear. Iow-burning fire glimmered,
berora all aglow-and the two ruddy
.ga'l- that bctokenel the whereabouts
Z + rte two gentlemen and their cigars,
s.os steadily from the cushions and
rat, on either side of the hearth.
la,cr was Just over the clock in the
Ai. u,l chincd sever and Mr.. Abbott
aad iii. dl,tan, cousin, and adopted son
wero alone together.
My dear Gerald, you must be crazy, !"
sad 'he elder gentleman, in tone Of
great, though rcpiessed irritation.
Ny dear Mr.. Abbott, 1 never was
more sane in my life"
Bat Iust look at the advantages of
the thing | tell you she is young and
pretty, with an independent fortune in
her own rI@ht -"
May never sink SO low as to be-
come 2 f"r'unc,hunter |" calculated Ger
aid, fcrventIy
'f,haw nonsense and Berkeley and
have both set our hearts upon it -
Mr.. Abbott, | would rather walk up
T. cannons mouth than have q wife
thrust at me IN that sort of way-it is
rtpc.Ient to every manly feeling of my
nature.
Il only ask you to see her, Gerald
s!G IS coming to New York in a week,
and shall take particular pains to
irayc town in a week I"
III" elder gentleman fred up instan-
taneouslv.
Gerald, forbid you taking any sr.a
io"Il>h step. at the peril OF bel
out - my house T.
Gerald oolyleu nigh. 'Mr. Abbott,
Won have been verv lind to me for years,
feel that owe you almost sons duty
and eilegian,<- but in this matter l can
Lot hr dletAtcd to" .
"T,ke your choice. sir, calculated
M Abbott, who had now wrought him
self into towering passion; "either
leave my house and protection, or COM
Fly with my wishes about this young
iady and | give You until tomorrow
morning TO thing il over"
Gerald was silent; he could not trust
himself 10 speak-nnd it was relief to
nm when Mr.. Abbott rose, and left the
racm.
The next morning, when the coffee
Gerald made his appearance, only a
note instead. thanking his benefactol
Tor the uninterrupted Kindness of years
and announcing his intention, for the
future, to depend yon his own excrtion:
for livelihood, rather than to con- tract
marriage, SO opposed to all his wishes
and predictions
Mr. Abbott read the note through
with a contemptuous hump! the'
tore II III little pieces.
The Young scamp he muttered
he. be back fast enough, l warran
NE. Earning ones own living isn't sue
All easy affair to man who has bee
brought up as he has, and so he IL Tin
Il. | never knew such ohstinacy in M
ife-he ungratcful, reckless your
vagahond ~
Nevertheless, the old house SCENE
very sad and lonely without the lle
footsteps and cheerful voice OF L
adopted son.
II didn't know was so fond OF hii
the more fool !" grumbled Mr.. Abbo
But he may go his own gait !
all me.
Meanwhile, Gerald, full Of spirit a
ambition, was sitting in dismal no
parlor, where the chimney smoked, a
the paper was peeling off the wall
mildewed spots, taking down varif
memoranda from the advertising colun
OF the newspaper.
Among all these wants / sho
think | might manage to satisfy one
two at least" he exclaimed gayiy
himself as he rose, buttoned lls oN