Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1891-04-18


there but her mother, piecing patch
work, on one side OF the chimney. corner,
aud Cousin Cassandra, knitting a pre-
posterously long stocking of blue yarn,
on the other.
And the subject o. conversation had
apparently remained unaltered, for Cousin
Cassandra was still hamnering away or
Lewis Hibbard and the new billiard
tables.
Its what | cali a snare for souls?s'
groaned she. Then balls a-cIickin
about ana the doors always opened wide,
for every loafer in Shegauk to stray into,
| allays did despise Lew Hibbard-a
lazy, shiftlsss creetur', like all the Hit
bards afore him. They do say be drur
his first wife into her grave, and his
second only lived two year, out of pure
grit Parson Pooley he says, if the
women o Shegauk would only take a
srAnd-On, Patty, is that youl Well,
I've put the dried apples in soak for the
sass tomorrow, and the meat is ready to
chop for mince pies"
| Patty had seated herself at the table
and listlessly taken up a book.
II don't want to chop meat tonight, y
said she. 'To-morrow morning will do
Just as we'll
'Disapp'inted.' whispered Miss Cass-
andra, behind her hand, to Mrs. Greer,
who was slightly deaf. "Sort o cal.
c'lated on Arad Temple bein here to-
uight. Wal, mebbe it's Just as we'll.
Araa he's too partial to Lew Hibbard's
place. >
Patty could have murdered Cousin
Cassandra. She jumped up and went to
the door to let the cat in. +
'Why, Arad," she exclaimed, as
pussy darted in, and a tall figure ap.
peared in the background.
Cousin Cassandra opened the inner
door and craned her neck forward.
"Well, | never" said she. 'sIt's you,
arter all amt it? We sort O. reckoned, !,
me and Patty, that you'd found your way
into that new store o. Lew Hibba I'd s. =
81 did stopin there" said Arad, cool
ly.
Miss Classy shook her head.
81 knew it, sald she, ''jest as Wells
if I'd seen ye with my own eyes.
Mrs Greer lighted the fire in the besl
room. with true maternal solcitude
''What's that for?' asked Miss Classy
"Ye don't s'pose, do yc, that they II hev
anything to say that we can't hear jest's
wells notl / wouldn't let Patty keep
company with any man that goes to Lew
Hibbards place, ei | was you, Sarah
it's reg lar well Of iniquity.'
Il guess Arad Temple'sa pretty steady
young man, said Mrs. Greer, timidly, as
she adjusted the best duplex lamp on the
table, and SET the big family Bible and
the new photograph album straight.
Cousin Cassandra stalkc1 grimly out
OF tie room.
Don't say 1 didn't warn you!n saie
she.
Patty came to her mother that night
just as the big kitchen clock was strik
ing e!eyen.
"Mother," said she, ''Arad Tempt
has asked me to be his wife
Mrs. Greer looked quickly up.
''Nnat did you tell him, Patty.' sai
she.
''I-said-yes' Oh, mother, VIII
shouldn't I, He IS 50 good, 50 nice
and lie loves me so ,iearlyn
"But your Cousin Cassandra thinks
"Mother, y whispered Patty, nestlin
her head down on her mothers shoulder
Il did say something about Lewis Hib
bard's store. made believe l was an
CRY, mother, and he looked SO hurt, an,
he let my hand fall SO, mother with
pretty little piece of pantomine), land h
said, IF you can't trust me in every
thing, Patty. don't trust me at all, An,
said I'd trust him, mother, to the yer
end. Did 90 rigat.'
"Well, said Mrs Greer, tenderly e.
: folding Patty with her loving arm
'.it's just the answer Ishould have mac
> your father, Patty, when we kept con
e pany; that's al l know. And yo'
u Cousin Cassandra-'
y - q i