Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1891-02-28
ALMIRA'S VALENTINE,
EY HELEN FORREST GRAVES.

Do"H III tuc valley, the CLOCK OF U.s.
borne Church had Just struck twelve, !.
the sounds coming in mutfled throbs
through the waves of feathery, fast fall
Ing snow, and Miss Almira Brown, max
ing her way across the deserted church
yard, stopped to listen, with one hand
behind her ear.
''Sounds dreadful natural said she.
"Seems like only yesterday l was here
instead Of eighteen good years. / wish it
wouldn't snow so! It's sort O. bewider-
in. believe I'm off the true path ag'in.
don't really know if I'm close to the
north wall by Deacon Linsley's grave, or
down under the hill where Squire Deweys
two daughters are buried. l wonder"
with little shivcr, ''if there is really such
thing as a ghostl And if there was,
wouldn't it be strange and sort o creepy
like to meet one, spookin' round here in
the snow on Saint Valentines Eve2 Most
folks would say that was a sign Of speedy
death; and the Browns never were
long lived family. Oh, here l be-" as
she perceived, through the glimmering
veil of white, the black outlines of a rude
stone stile. II guess I'll find my way
oil right now
Carrying her carpet-ba in her hand,
Miss Amira made plunge for the high
road, and presently stood under the
porch of pretty, old-fashioned house,
a story and half high, with brooding
caves that came nearly to the ground,
and windows barred with wooden shut
tiers, painted red.
Hump continued Almira, stamping
the snow from her substantial calfskin
boots, and changing the carpet bag from
one hand to the other. "Zenas has had
the fence repaired and new gate put in. "
She knocked vigorously at the door.
Nc reply came She knocked again, still
with no better success.
"Just like Zenas," muttered she. 1.-The
most absent mindedest creetur that ever
lived-to 90 off the very night he ex-
pectcd his only sister to come home. I
never ha' left Canaan Centre to come
/ back here aud keep house for him if Ia
j suspected such treatment as this. How
ever, doctors have got excuses that other
/ folks hain't, especially country doctors.
/ dare say Zenas had a sudden call, and
guess likely I'll find the doork in The
Old place"
She stopped down, aud lifting the
corner of the door-mat fshed out a bic
brass key, wherewith she proceeded te
open the door and admit herself into
little carpetea entry where a kerosene
lamp burned low on the table
Il do declare" said Almira, "he's
fixed up things real nice. A carpet or
III, floor, aud new paper on the walls.
gu4ss ne mesnt to give me surprise
Here's the teapot on the kitchen stove
Zenas always was partial to cup O tef
and good fire, too. I'll jest Sc
down and dry myself a spell before looh
around. Zenas'll be back directly,
haint no doubt.
The warmth and quiet of the coz,
little Kitchen acted as 4 soporiic on the
chilled and wearied traveller, and The
trst thing she knew the clock in 'ht
corner was striking one, and turnin =
with sudden start. she saw short
stout man on the threshold staring a
her.
What do you WANT" she demanded
curtly, remembering, with a pang of Ter
ror, that she had forgotten to relockAh
door, in her amazement at the new pa
peg and the striped carpet in the hall
The doctor amt az home, a1d I don
Aaew waea bel! be back"