Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1890-08-02

You mean | was in danger of dying.
Why should that be painfull am DID,"
She made no answer, looking sorrow-
fully into his uplfted eyes
''And burden upon you, the doctor
tells me. Why did you make yourself
responsible for strangert
The fair face flushed, the soft eyes
were dewy with feeling, as Alice said
softly. because you're old and seemed
poor and friendless. l was glad it was
in my power to aid you. Do not think
it was at any great cost" she added with
a generous desire to Tighten the burden
Of obligation II have some money
lying idle.
''For the wedding day, perhaps.
Well. child, you might have poorer
jewels 10 deck your bridal than an old
man s tears of gratitude and love. am
getting we'll and shall soon leave you.
Will you give me a Keep sake1'
q chain round her throat cut off one of
her golden cuYls and put it in the place
of some hair she took out, and laid the
trinket in the old mans hand.
"With my love, she said, softly.
"Ah, child, " he sighed, "an old man
sick and feeble wins little love"
"Yet," she said, earnestly, ''you must
believe that have nursed you since you
were conscious with affection. My own
father is gone, but if ever you want
daughter care or affection, believe me,
will gladly come to you if possible" !"
Three days later the house was deserted.
| Aunt Sophy and Alice returned to their
home, and Alice cheerfulIy paid out of
, her small patrimony for the board and ex
penses of her venerable patient.
| She little guessed how deep an impress
sion her care and tenderness had made
upon the heart SO long closed against
human affection, so distrustful of any ad-
/ vances from his fellow creatures 1t was
revelation to him, this active charity
to an utter stranger. He had noge
20 the hotel merely to see Malcolm's S
choice, and had purposely left all clue OF
his identity behind him. He had in.
tended meeting Alice, if possible, I'M
known and watching her unobserved
but accident had thrown them together
in way he little anticipated. The first
use he made of his recovery was to write
to his nephew, and Malcolm met him at
the station when he returned home.
knowing nothing of the recent acci-
dent. the Young man was shocked at tn,
change in his uncle's face.
"You have been ilf2" he cried.
every i'll. y
"Why did you not send for meg
II had even better nursing than yours
now, but tell me about your marriag
preparations.
'.Alice has gone nome and will renal
until November Then she comes t
Mrs. Haydons, and will buy her furni
ture.
I'm November"
eyes"
Late in November she came, be,
trunks full of Aunt Sophy presents, anc
Aunt Mary gave her cordial greeting. 4
grand wedding was the display upor
which the lady had set her heart, apc
Alice shrank little at the comments upol
the rich uncle and her own good fortune
in the "frst rate match.
But just before the wedding day lit
tie note was brought 10 Alice by COR
aunts behind q private carriage. TIL
note was from Malcolm. and begged he
to come to him in the carriage.
Wondering. but obedient, Alice wa
speedily ready, and was driven to hand
some house, where the door was opene
to usher her into stylish drawing room
where gentleman awaited her, and Ma
colin advancing said my uncle HI
bert. Alice
Kindly blue eyes looked into her ovr
withered hands were extended AID
: voice she knew we'll, said. I'VE are d
friends. Malcolm. Are we not. Alice"
9 Then, before she could answer, the al
G man continued: = have thonght, Alic.
: that it was unkind - have my nephe'
d wait for mr. death before sharing in n
!. wealth. have borne q curse % distru
e in my heart fer many years, thinking N
s money won me all the affection, ss'
!. Malcolm's, that was offered me, b
/ though you were well content TO wed Il
vo,,nr clerk and nut yOur own patrinon