Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1885-05-23

sion. Why, she wears such splendid
solitaire diamonds,!"
'Hired. probably, or borrowed for the
occasion, suggested Major Milfoi.
"And dresses exquisitely."
"That's easily done, If one happens to
have rich relations"
Mr.. Persimmon smote his lily smooth
forehead with his left lavender-kidded
palm.
"a music teacher p he reiterated
We'll, do say, Milfoil, it's deuce of
a shame to pull wool over fellows eyes
in this sort Of fashion. Why, she must
be regular husband-hunter."
"Granted that she is, returned Major
Milfoil, quietly, "what are you but
wife, hunter? ?"
"Oh-well-no doubt very possibly"
acknowledged Mr.. Persimmon, not
without very visible spice of confusion;
"but the cases are quite different"
"Will you explain to me the differ
ence ?" persisted Milfoil, maliciously.
ga music teacher l. Upon my word, it
is disgraceful," went on Paul Persim
mon. "And had almost proposed to
her. Dear, dear, what narrow escape
I've had" and he wiped his forehea1s :
with his patchouly-scented pocket hand
kerchief. 'Think of me living up in the
fourth floor OF third rate boarding
house and my wife giving lessons to
support us p
And as Major Milfoil looked at his
companions effeminate countenance and
listened to his words, he could not but
think that Miss St.1Osborne had had
lucky escape.
Miss Laura st. Osborne was sitting in
her luxurious room at Mrs. Parker's
fashionable boarding house that same
morning, looking extremely pretty in
morning negtigee of rose colored cash
mere, while her silky black curls were
tied back with broad fillet of pink rib
bon, and diamonds sparkled like so many
big, limpid dewdrops on her pretty
fingers. She was brilliant little bru-
nette, with peachy-red cheeks, long,
dark eyelashas and brows as black and
perfectly arched as if they had been out
lined with pencil dipped in jet.
Opposite to her, at the mirror, be-
tween the two windows, tall, slender
girl of eighteen was trying on plain,
little black silk bonnet.
care you going already, Estelle p
yawned the Oriental-eyed beauty.
II must, Cousin Laura. have a
lesson to give at one o'clock at Mrs.
Demetey's."
BUSY little bee p laughed Miss st.
Osborne. Really, Stella, YOU make
me almost ashamed of my own dolce
far njentc life p
But you are rich, Laura, and l am
poor !"
Nevertheless, you will not accept
pecuniary aid from me, you naughty
spirited damsel !"
E-telle st. Osborne shook her head.
Il would rather be independent, said
she, calmly.
$50 must remain alone to receive
the visit of my handsome little adorer,
Paul Persimmon," laughed Laura.
Estelle looked keenly at her.
Laura, do you like Mr.. Persim.
| mon?"
"a little /" was the gayly defiant an
swer. "You do not ?"
~ have only seen him at distance,
| you know-but to me he seems frivolous
and shallow +
He is very handsome" Laura
1reamily observed.
| Eyes, but beauty is not everything :
And, so speaking, Estelle St. Osborne
left the room.
Three hours afterward she re-enterec
to find Laura still alone.
"Well, did you enjoy Mr.. Persim
mons call ?"
Laura pouted her pretty cherry lips
"Mr. Persimmon has not been here
at all, Estelle," she answered.
But thought he asked permission
TO call on you this morning?"
$50 he did-but it seems that he has
not decided to avail himself of the
granted permission, Esteller - with {
bright, sudden toss of the jetty cascade
of curls, "let's 60 for walk down Fiftl
svenue-it is too lovely day to shu
ones self up in the house !"
And the two cousins set of for a walk
on the fashionable thoroughfare.
AS luck, or rather Cupid, would hav.
it, almost the first person they met was
Mr.. Paul Persimmon himself, saunter
ing gracefully along, in his pearl-coloree
suit and his ebony cane, one arm passed
through that of gentlenan-not, how
ever, Major Milfoil, this time.
Laura's face frightened = she hal
paused-but Mr.. Persimmon, avertinl
his countenance, hurried on, and sh,
could hear him say in quiet and aud
ibie voice:
"a mere music-teacher never wa