Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1885-04-25

Wv, ooAAO yoAAS ueu HOulu nave
thought it safer to win the daughter
consent first; but Ezra was too honor
able for that
III the squire won't have me-" he
said to himself. SITS no use to ask
Clara. She would never disobey her
father 1 shouldn't care half as much
for her if she would.
So he took his money bag in his hand
and sought the presence of Squire
Scudder.
The squire sat reading novel of the
Pickwick Papers in his handsome old
fashioned parlor, and being in very
genial mood, he received Ezra with the
most encouraging kindness, and listened
to all that he had to say with be-
nignant smile.
''1t is not great DEAL" concluded
Ezra, holding up his money-bag, "but
there's plenty more, where l found this,
SIR"
"And pray, where did you find it,
Mr Alden?" asked the squire rather
taken aback.
Sat the roots of my wheat and bar
ley" answered Ezra, adding, with 2
laugh: "To tell the truth, sir, con
suited q teller, and she told me
to dig aud dig, and I would certainly
find pot of money. l haven't found
it yet, but intend to keep on digging,
and I don't doubt but 1 shall find it by
and by"
Squire Scudder burst into a hearty
laugh, and kindly patted Ezra on the
shoulder.
Il don't doubt but you will, my lad,
he said, cheerily. "Honest industry is
the best pot of money any young man
ever found. AS for Clara, you can
talk over that matter with herself
she's sitting there by the window, hid
den behind the curtains"
Now that was dreadfully mean of the
squire. not to have given Ezra hint of
Clara's presence before; but he didn't
mean it. 1t seems quite impossible for
these old gentlemen to realize how seri-
GUS such matters are to boys and girls.
Squire Scudder rose with nod and a
smile, and went away. leaving Ezra in
dire confusion, staring at the window
curtains; and wishing the floor would
open and swallow him. But it didn't.
Instead, the window curtains opened
and lovely young lady stepped out
from them.
$50, Mr.. Alden," she said, stepping
forward, H:''you consulted the gypsy for.
tune-telleg too q
ooh, Miss Scudder-Clara-you have
/ heard everything" stammcred Ezra
sinking into the chair from which he
had risen in his first CONSERVATION.
"What terrible fool you must think
me ~
"But don't-1 have great confidence
IN that gypsy's predictions.
"Then you consulted her, too" asked
Ezra.
Dozens of times-she beguiled me-
of all my small silver"
well, she got but single piec,
from me, that's some comfort" sale
| Ezra, recovering somewhat, and ventur
ing to laugh slightly.
"Was it anything like this p aske,
Miss Scudder, producing one from hel
pocket, and holding it toward Ezra OF
The palm Of hand like cream.
Ezra looked and started, and gave
little cry. 1t was his own lucky silve
piece He glanced into the laughing
bushing face: and then for the frs
time he looked straight into Clara Scud
der's eyes. They were very, very darl
and wonderfully brilliant; but this tim
they did not seem to look through hir
they sank before his glance, ar
veiled themselves under lovely, long
black lashes.
"Oh, Clara murmured Ezra; "yo
were the gypsy"
"Of course | was"
Aud you knew loved you all th
time q
"Of course l did, you foolish boy
that's why had to invent way of tel