Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1892-03-19

her life-her llfe-was over and done
with now, forever. and left him motion
lessly standing there.
She fourd her mother in she kitchen,
and bustlinc about in the service of a
milie-aged woman half-lyin On the
settee, her calico dress fallen in limp folds
aud her checked sunbonnct laid aside.
why, its Mrs. Peterman,' said
Rhola, with kind interest, her saddened
Souny face warming sympathetically.
Yes, its Mrs. Pcterman, with cne of
her awful sick headacnes,' said her
mother, hurrylng with the ca nphor and
ammonia and hot water all at once
"Here she's comes clear over here, four
miles lis to her house, yol know-.yith
the incest blacklJcrries We seen foi
years, was going to say; bushel or
more, and fine ones-and the sun has set
her head to acaln- 50 she can't see hardly,
and she isn't it to stir | want her to
give It up, ana lust rest here all night.
Sncii BE- welcome
"Iou' re awful good" said Mrs. Peter
man, family; .'anl would, Mis- Mer
rltt, if twan't for them berries. | can,
le EN- go u waste and not git cent
fCr en-. The children and me worked
nost all yesterday Citing EN-, and ws
need tie money. Sakes alive. | don't
know what | be going to do,' said Mrs.
fetermsa, all but teartully, tapping the
Goor with her worn old shoe, while she
pressed her aching head with her stained
hand>.
"You wanted to peddle them FL
through here, I suppose?' said RAoda,
with her quick sympathy.
Il was lc'lating to-ves.'
"iIow much do ycesell them fo-:"
"The most can git, said Mr. Peter
man, too miserable to LOOK up. "Tnov'rc
the best
"WelI,' said Rnoda, quietly, II a
going to drive about and sell tnen for
you.'
And she pinne', her wide hat more
firmly on her pretty blonde head, ard
was gone through the kitchen door with
graceful speed.
ooh, Mis- Merritt.' Mrs. Peterman
begged, in scared tones, don't let her!
I never dreamed o no such For
goodness sakes, that girl.'
"Let her co. said her kind hearted
hostess, cheorfully, AMI with mother 5
pride in her tones. "Rhoda ism
ashamed to DO kind turn, whatever i
is. She's a woman, Rhoda is"
Rhoda went to where Mrs. Peter
man 5 old wagon waited, and mounted
to the high seat.
It was rattiy affair; the horse wa,
twenty years old if day, and furry
coated, and the tin pals and measures
| llngled together in the back with alarm
ing loudness.
But if Rhoda felt any faint, girlisl
| qualms She WINGED none. Sac smiled
as she chirruped to the staid old ami
NAL, and hunmeQ a lii lie, and strove t
believe she was forgetting her ow
] haunting trouble.
Mrs. Whitaker. laughing at the sight
| Of Mrs. Peternan' successor till the tear;
cane, bought eight quarts Of berries
and Mrs. Kelly, next door, bought five
The Steees were next
Rhoda's pretty color heightened
little as sac drey Up a. the front gate
Not that she SHOULD ever love Owe
Stcele-no; but if he was to be ht
husband
owen was in the yard. So was Q
elderly lady in silk and q gentleman j
corresponlingly imposing garments.
At, yes. Rhoda remembered the
| Owens uncle and aunt from the cit
had been expected that day-an uncl
and aunt from whom, Owen had nforme
her, he had expectations.
Oven, in his best clothes and lookin
eomplacent, came to the gate. Not hay
ing recognized Rnoia at ! distance, h
stared at her now in blanh a:toaishmenl
Then he grew red.
'.Great guns, Rhoda,' be atterec
shortly, "what are you up tol'
Rhol Ia colored also, her red under lii
between her teeth.
"C.n', you see she queriel. "Sel1
ing Mrs. Peternan's berries for her; Sd
is sick. Won't you take sone' Is tha
your uncle and aunt, Oxea! II like
meet them.
"Thats then," said Oven. in q sol
of crosl. "For the lands sake, Rhoia