Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1888-05-26

had been holding it wrong side an
"Don ycu know your fathers oldest
and most devoted friend - Seymour
Prog9ettl"
Gu~sy d recall the name. The sound
OF 1t brought up faint recollection Of
something re uliar something doubt
iul. but she couldn't remember what.
She knew at last that her father had had
no conne' tion with Mr. proccett for
Years But meeting the eager gaze of
his shining eyes. she could DO no less
than TO smile family, W III murmured
word
Why, TO be-sarc why, to be GER
tain Mr. Proccett went on in high
key. Why, lny child, trotted you on
my knee When YOU We're let us say. three
feet high ceftainly not more than three
feet high ttotted you on my knee
said Mr. Progg II, excitedly,
Gussy grew p:nk Mr. Proggett's re
marks We're piercinglv audible. The
Young man opposite looked up in
startled way The two old ladies turned
astoni he'd faces toward them
II knew ycu aa an infant see you
now in the full flower Of womanhood -
Mr.. Proggeu went on.
He put hands on his knees and held
back for good view Of the flower of
womanhood. HIS sharp eies twinkled
admiringlv
Gussy clasped her hands together with
III her mutf ! he young man looked
steadily at .hc floor The old ladies
stared
Mr. Proceett c,zed at her in silence
for several moments
Il have b zen for many years without
the soft refinement OF woman's cnmpan-
lonship,' be proceeded at last, pensively.
"Her swcc, sympathy, her gentle care,
her tender love is sealed book to me- "
He sighed loudly and edged little
closer to Gussy. She drew away alright
edly, but Mr. proggett moved after her
"a sealed book. And yet, have
thought, have hoped that such happi-
ness may yet be mine. l now believe
it."
Mr.. Proggett leaned closer, his lips
parted in tenderIy persuasive smile, his
eyes agiow with eagerness.
''Ny dear Young lady" he went on,
rantingly, 'be not alarmed at my sud
dcnne,s. Remember that knew you
IN your infancy. Think only of my
warm affection, of my pure devotion :
Accept the heart of one who faithfully
| adorc> you.'
| Gussv sat stunned and motionless.
The two old ladies shared her fright
/ They clutched their black hand bags and
| half rose from their seats. The
young man turned hurriedly and looked
out of the window
"Look not at my gray hairs Femem
ber that my heart is young and fresh ~
Mr., Proggett implored, wildly ''and
that its store of pentup affection, the
i growth of wears, is yours-all yours
J Gussy stared at him in helpless, trem-
bling horror She saw dlmly that the
two old ladies we're hurrying toward the
door. IN which the conductor stood
bloldly GRIM ng. She herself was
weakly unable to move
Mr. Pro.ett peered into her face in
deep agitation Then, with a placid de
liberation Of movement at strange VI
ran G with his heated face and Il, wing
eyes, he placed himself on his knee, a.
her feet
! he two old ladies. giancing back
ward screamed family as they stcppe,
otf the car the conductor laughed IN
rcstralncdlv: the young man, with ;
face Of grave alarm started forward
Bono doubt me-" Mr.. Proggett wa
saving. shrilly ''Do not hesitate to &C
ecpt the lifelong de otion of hear
which leafs for YOU alone have Ion;
awaited this opportunity long have
hoped and prayed
rnssy pulled herself together with
mighty effort Her heart was thumpln
y, a
he looked up and met the eyes Of III
strange YOUNG man fixed upon her Wit
solicltous anxiety.
In another moment She could nc
have told how it happened she was ou
side the car, under friendly grocery
awning, the strange Young man, lade
with her muf. her pocket-hook. the Il
mti4S Of her marsh malow and h'
three bundles, was at her side, the {;
was rolling on
Thank you thank YOU much
she SAID, -a,wn.ly. Il don't kno
what should have done.
{ She looked up al a amp post.
Il an only toar blocks from home
~hc "A i, tfyng to smile, and made
; movement to relieve him # his burden
But ~hc was uaie and her voice "
unsteady, and The young man bow
No tatlve]y
s Il viii sc von to vour door if \,
Will permit me hc stld
They walked on, N palpitatinc
lcncc. 'us>y WAS trembling still h
\ checks were rel AMI pa'e l.v turns. WI
. the embarrassment of he, lingering h.
!. TOT EIcr mpanlcn K, pt h1S eyes 60
s >idcrats : tlrnei away