Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1892-09-03


through the crackedand grlmy panes Of
glass, now streaked with rain, which
was driving violently from the east.
From early morning the rain had been
falling necessarily, and as darkness be-
gan to close around the village the wind
blew more violently than ever and the
rain fell in heavier torrents. A large
brown patch appeared on the ceiling
above and the water began to drip down
and form little puddles on the uucarpeted
floor. 1t was a melancholy day, and
Severn felt that it accorded we'll with his
own evil fortune. He occupied the only
habtable room in a large, old, tumble
down house that stood off on one side of
the village near the river and had been
falling to decay for years.
Severn was striving to make his way
through college, and when the landlords
agent suggested his taking room in the
cold Holloway House. at much lower
figure than be could obtain lodging for
elsewhere, he felt constrained on account
of his poverty to accept the Offer His
parents were poor, and, moreover, averse
to his taking a college course, so that he
was unable to receive any aid from them.
For some time past he had found himself
inextricably involved in financial embar-
rassmcnt, and he had often been on the
point Of giving up the whole thing, but
the letters which came from Mary Ed
ridge, full OF encouragement aud loving
sympathy, always induced him to take
brighter view of the circ instances.
He had met Mary at the academy at
Melville and mutual admiration for
each others scholarly attainments had
been the first step in the formation of q
friendship that ripened into love. Mary
had gone TO Wellesley to complete her
education and Severn was in his soph-
more year IN college. Miss Eldridge
came Of wealthy parents and had always
been surrounded with the comforts of a
we'll ordered home. Severn knew that
her unselfsh disposition would exert no
conditions to their engagement. but he
was fully determined never to let her
share his lot until be had completed his
]
come.
During the last year series Of mis-
fortunes hal overtaksn him. A friend,
to whom he had loaned the money with
which he expected to meet the bulk OF
his expenses, suddenly died, leaving the
debts wholly unliquldated. Severn him
sell had undergone a severe illness dur
ing the fall, and to satisfy his numerous
Obligations lie secured 4 few hunIrel
dollars from Mr.. Holloway, VINO was
always ready to make loans at usur.ous
interes. but renorseless in exac,iny his
claims. Finally he began to receive let
ters from home urging him % return 70
the farm. ,.Unless ne could give some
aid they would lose the OLD pace lis
mother wrote.
If duty called him home he wol,d 60,
but he lei, tha. If he did his prospects
were gone An IDEA struck MIN. II ne
could induce Mr. Holloway to give him
time on his loan and trus. him for his
rem, unit. he could get TO earning some
thing, he would send the money home
which he had been accumu!ating for the
usvneas Of the dett. He went to see
Mr. Holloway, bu, the response was SO
cail,y tina. ae .elt a.mos, guilty OF some
| heinous crime.
II, is not Business, said NJ Hol-
.Q.wav. mo, business, Would ike 'o
3bi-e you, out must have some
ae.aol."
! 4 duonin. letter from the agent, fol-