Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1886-07-17

fail to be happy.
'It's a trial at times" went on Mrs.
Dartburg, who was determined to neu-
tralize the admiration which beamed in
Mr. Truxton's eyes, as he glanced back
over his shoulder toward Kate's queenly
form, "for her temper is exceedingly un-
certain"
Mr. Truxton felt himself more and
more attracted toward this angelic crea-
ture, and he TOOK the first opportunity to
ask ''Whether she was fond Of children?"
II adore them," said the widow, clasp
ing her hands.
Il am glad of that" said Mr. Truxton.
81 have little boy of my own"
How transparent is mani Is it any
wonder that Mrs. Dartburg felt, as she
took off her curls and teeth, at half past
twelve, that she had done q good even
ing's work.
1t happened that the next day Mr..
Truxton took it into his head to 90 to
ST. Sebastian's Hall, select boarding
house ''for boys under twelve" to see
his little son.
''Havc you been to Saratoga, pa2"
loudly demanded Tommy Truxton.
"Jack and Billy Ormsby have got sister
at Saratoga"
And Jack and Billy, two apple check
cd urchins of nine and ten, chimed art
lcssly in:
"Did you see our Kate, sir2'
"Who is your Kate?" asked Mr.. Trux-
ton, amused at their boy-ways.
"she's Miss Ormsby," said Bill, "and
she's companion to Old Cat Dartburg"
''To-whom, did you say2" asked the
widower, somewhat puzzled.
Gle means Mrs. Major Dartburg," ex-
planned Jack; 'but he calls her Old Cat,
because she's so cross to Kate. Kate
wouldn't stay there, only she needs the
money to keep us at school. But when
me and Bill get big enough to work, we
won't let the Ole, Cat torment her any
! more" !
"She boxes Kate's ears sometimes, :"
said Bill, rcscntfully, "and once she pull
ed her hair. Kate cried awfully. We
went there last holiday to spend day
with Kate, and the Old Cat banged us
round awful-she said she hated boys!"
THAT was cause Bill found her false
teeth in glass of water" said Jack,
"and painted myself up out of her
dressing box, with rouge and lilywhite,
to look like an Indian on the War-path
And she took her curls off when she lay
down for nap, and we played they was
scalp. And Bill asked her why her
hair didn't grow on her head like Kate's
didm
Mr. Truxton burst out laughing
You must have rendered yourself
generally cbnoxious." he exclaimed
He went back to Saratoga on the even
ing tran-and the first person he saw, as
he ascendcd the steps of the Clarendon
Hotel, was Mrs Major Dartburg, in {
fresh toilette of white muslin and blue
ribbons. While Kate Omsby sat just
behind her, with book in her hand, or
which her dark melancholy eyes were
fixed.
''She is beautifully thought the mill
ionairc, but it was not the widow that h,
was looking at.
The days sped by-the widow believed
that every one was installing her NOR
firmly in Mr. Truxton's heart Will
Kate-but Kate had such q quiet wa,
that nobody could really have told hov
She was passing her time.
One evening Mrs Major Dartburg cam
up to her room, rather ''put OUT bccaus
Mr.. TruNton had just driven his magnifi
, cent four-in-hand away from the doc
without asking her to occupy the vacan
, scat beside him.
, Kate" she said, sharply. Kat
! ormsby, what are you doing2 Porin
over book of poetry, again, as live
and that lace shawl not drapcd over tn
. white silk dress for the EVENING"
Il think there is still time enough
: said Kate, quietly.
! Don't contradict me- said the wido'
in a passion. ''or I'll discharge you o
7 the spot. I've borne with your temp,
. omit, 1.-,,rt ,,a,,,rh