Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1885-05-09

the German teacler OF the seminary who
1as taken situation in Philadelphia"
The fair face grew deathly pale, and
al expression Of positive horror looked
ou: from the soft, dark eyes. There
was pause Of silence tnat was painful.
Then Ls.eIe Mason spoke in choked
voice:
Il must go 10 Aunt Mary"
"Go 10 her Nonsense, enid. Wa,
ia Ii has she Oh you 2"
THE claim Of gratitude
'Bat what can you do? You have no
money"
II can work"
''Have no claim 2"
''Only second to hers. Yon have been
very good to me. But you have so
many relatives that would be glad to
come and fill my place You are strong
and we'll, with money for every comfort.
Ste is feeble, sick and poor. = Oh, how
could Theoda desert her? How could
sha?'
"Do YOU know who this German
feacher, James Kent, Is 2"
"No."
"He is my husbands nephew. Not
mine; but all my wealth came from nv
husband, and James Kent, knowing ne
70 be just woman, expects handsome
legacy when L die. Probably when he
told Theoda he would be rich nan
some day, he did not tell the name OF
the aunt who had the money to leave"
Il never saw him. He came to the,
seminary after I came here"
Exactly He displeased me! 1 do
not keep people near me who displeaso
me-"
Again that cutting emphasis of tone.
EstelIe did not answer, and Mrs. Vain.
wright spoke again. =
II expect, therefore, that yon will
abandon this romantic scheme of return.
ing to Mill Village. There ere asylums
where Your aunt can be received
I "Not while can work for her." Es-
telle said very firmly.
Mrs. Pope writes that she will prob
ably sell her cottage and live npon the
price in some such place A hospital
probably
Poor Aunt Mary. You will let me
go to her?"
81 do not pretend to control your
movements" was the reply, in cold
voice. when l took you from a life of
poverty and toll, to take your place
here as my niece and heiress, | expected
TO have loving, grateful companion.
Since l have been mistaken, you car
leave me whenever you desire it Only
[ wish it understood that you choose be-
tween your Aunt Mary and myself
finally"
Estelle's eyes were full of tears, but
she controlled her voice, by strong
effort, to say:
Il am not ungrateful, Aunt Cora
though l never considered myself you
heiress. / thank you from my heart
and if you were poor and sick you would
not find me ungrateful. But my dut,
seems so clear TO me that cannot hes
7 itate. Even at the price of your dis
pleasure, l must go. But" she added
timidly, Il hope you will forgive me
! ."Oh, I shall not quarrel with You
child. You may SO, certainly. Onl,
DO not tiatter yourself with the idea tha
you can return here when you tire 0
your sentimental duties. There, 80 t,
your own room, and give me yoar de
cision at dinner. Not ord now"
SO dismissed, Estelle went slowly t.
the room where every ad0rnment spok
of her aunt's care for her. She Wa
young and had endured poverty 10
many years, so it was not without som
bitter tears for herself that she faced tn
situation. She fully appreciated tn
difference between AIRS, Wainwri ght'
helress, and a dressmaker toiing for tn
support of two women; between IL
petted child of this home of luxury, Wit
servants TO obey every wish, and til
drudge of q little cottage with an aImos
helpless invalid to care for. Yet sh
never faltered.
/ And when Mrs. Wainwright saw III
| CaIe, resolute face at dinner. she hne,
that she must lose one who was yer,
dear 10 her. Not for the first time, sh
regretted her own residence abroad fo
fourteen years. when She might hay
been winning Estelle's love, as tn.
invalid aunt haa done.
Il see, she said. when the silent. al
most untasted meal was over, "yo1 stii
cling to your idea of duty. Go then
Take with you whatever l have give,
Won, for want no reminders of vour un
grateful desertion. had rather spar
myself the pain of any parting scene
John shall drive you to the depot in til
morning, and this viii pay your trave.
,ug expenses. and help>you until you oh
tam work"
She placed a note for hundred do
lars in E,telle's hand as she spoke, an,
l. II ,