Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1888-02-25

'.Dh, of course an old house dog who
has lost all his teeth is perfectly safe for
the children to play with
eyes, exactly" was the reply And
this time she raised her laughing eyes to
mine. and with an Eau revoir" and low
courtesy, she ran upstairs, while | de-
parted, in a most uncomfortable state Of
mind, to fetch my skates. A few min
utes before, would have been willing to
stake nay fortune that she cared little
for me, but her last speech undid it all.
In half an hour | was back again,
Some one left the house as | ran up the
steps, and as the door stood open, /
walked in without ringing. My hand
was on the portiere of the drawing room
to push it aside, when l heard voice
within say: 81 love you, Alice. Will
you be my wife?"'
My heart stood still, and turning from
the door, l beat a hasty retreat to the
reception room.
! had recognized the voice as that Of
one of the young fellows who had been
most devoted in his attentions to Alice
He was wealthy; indeed that hardly ex-
pressed it, for he was worth at least
million in his own right. with the pros
father. Compared with that, my little
fortune was mere pittance The front
door shut, and | looked from the win
dow to make sure that my ears had not
deceived me- No; there he was, tall
and handsome, Just such a young fellow
as any woman would be proud to call her
husband. Then turned to the mirror
over the mantel. What chance would
an old house dog have when compared
with such u splendid young mastiff2 OF
course, she would accept him.
However, if we were to go skating, |
must put on a brave face, and save my
misery until aftcrward. When entered
| the drawing room found Alice. wrapped
| in her furs, sitting in front of the fire,
! gazing at it intently. She looked up as
/, | approached her. and there was suspi-
cious glsten about her eyes as she hastily
drew her hand across them, saying:
ou startled me. Mr. Graham; I did
not hear you come in
81 have been here some time" | re-
! piled. land have to beg pardon for un-
Intentionally overharing paat of you CON
versation."
Did youo Oh, am sorry"
icultly w HCIh HOl SIuuSc du Olu
friend the knowledge of your happi-
ness said. with some bitterness.
She looked astonished, but SAID moth
! ing.
MAY l congratulate youi' asked
''Not yet, please" was the answer.
''But come, Mr.. Graham, we must be off,
or we will have nc time for skating"
We started off. and every minute her
spirits rose, while mine sank lower. 1t
seemed hard hearted to me that she
should rarede her happiness before my
very eyes. Alice never noticed how
forced my attempts at livelincss were,
but laughed and talked as | had never
heard her laugh and talk before. 1t was
the last time ,hat should ever have her
Ill to myself, and never took my eyes
off Of her face drinking in her beauty,
her ever changing expression, and hel
glorious eyes, now soft and sympathetic.
vet in an instant brlmming over with fun
and laughter r-o often enough at my ex-
pcnse.
Jim Randolph was at home when we
returned, and would take no refusal to
his invitation to stop and dine with
them For the last time" l said to
N, self and stayed. He had an engage
ment for the evening. and excused him
self as soon as dinner was over
leaving us alone. We sat in front of tn
drawing room fire after he he'd gone, ane
4 long and awkward pause ensued.
"A penny Tor your thoughts,' sai'
Alice at last
'You would not like them,' was tn
surly reply.
perhaps not, but l have fancy t.
hear them
They will only tire you"
That is for me to decide, she an
swcre1i; and rising from her low seat sht
leaned against the mantel, with her face
in the shi idow. so that could not see It
distinctly, but hervoice sounded strangel,
excited. '.plcase grant my request she
added
: Very we'll. said las you wish it
then, | was thinking Of you Alice. =
! have loved YOU since the first time ke
you loved YOU as l never thought
could love, and until my love for yo'
has become SO bound up, in my lif
, tAat now. when | must give YOU up
| lilc seems but a blank to me | know
t Was a fool TO think of you.
, aia tee old What have | to offer 70,
| in comparison with the wealth, youtl
and social standing, that have beer
thrown At Your feet to-day? Nothin.
hut my love sound like a sup
, pressed sob came from the fireplace
| You asked me. Alice. and | have tol,
) YOU. ] think II would have been wise
g not to have spoken, for what good Ca
4 il io2'
| What good2 oh, John Oh, 70
Y dear otd goose could not YOU see tha
/ | loved YOU all the time
{ "lon loved me. Alices" | exclaimed
/ YES" she broke in; land yet
/ treated you >hamefuIls' She was knee
n ing beside me now. with head buried o
;. he arm Of my chair "Oh. John, al
! 50 sorry, Can YOU forgive met | bega
/ IN fun al first, because II provoked m
{ IL hear YOU talk Of women as If any
: them could e bought by the highe
e bidder and then could not resist tea:
It lny YOU about being papas friend an