Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1892-02-27

little aches ani pains, but | only got
called unfeelng for my exertions
""llj, would approach him differ
eatly. Listen, mother, | have q plan.'
And the two heads, one still brown
aud handsome in spite Of the tine lines Of
silver over the temples and the other a
bright chestnut, drew close together and
IN the golden sunshine OF the beautiful
September day dark plot was formed,
and when Rob Harper came strolling in
with the most purposeless air that ever
conceived purpose the same was impart-
cd to him undar seal of secrecy. Then,
when Nelly chonced to walk as far the
turn Of athe road as Rob took his way
home, the doctor, driving past, was
halted and made partner likewise in
the mysterious business.
The afternoon slipped away and the
'iay had given place to the purple twi.
light when Hiram Belton awoke from
| has pleasant nap and stretched out his
| hand for the pitcher Of ice watar usually
| placed right by his side on such occa-'
sions by his devoted wife, but this time
he felt in vain. He pressed his haDd
on his forehead and groaned twice.
thrice, very heavily, but there was no
one who came tip-toeing into the room
to bend over him and beg to know what
could be done. His groans grew louder
and more alarming and still they pro-
duccd no effect, SO presently the invalid
raised himself slowly, and advancing to
the door called family. "Barbara!" re-
turnin., to his. couch at once. No Bar
bara answered, but in few minutes
Nellie came nonchantly singing into the
room.
"That YOU, father" she said care.
lessly. ''1ave you taken q lazy spell,
too"
A groan was the reply, which only
brought forth, "'Drank too much butter
milk, eh' did myself, ana I tell you it
gave me pain.
"Wherc's your mother2' put in the
nsulted invalid, slarins at his daughter.
"Gone to bed. She had a haadache
and made her go, for there was really
no reason for her keeping up if she felt
indisposcd'
NO reason" snorted Mr.. Belton.
"And me Is i'll rs | am. Iwonier who
she thinks is going to nurse me; but its
like a woman to give up to tne slightest
ache or pain, and just when they are
needed most"
son, you will be all right in an hour
or two! Father, ii you don't mind I'll
20 to praye. meeting with Bob Harper.
BY the way, mother said woult YOU
. please get the churn ready for her, ant
here S the key to the dairy
She was gone before the irate parent
could frame the cutting speech he hal
In mind, IN which he mingled a serpent
tooth. an ungrateful child, his wife.
unacountabe and preposterous failure te
perform her wifelv duties, and the heart
less madness of expecting him to rise
from a couch of pain and illness to Sc.
churn. He lay ana pondered the thing
over. They were evidently growing III
credulous on tie subject OF his ailments
and needed a lesson, a severe one. f
bring them back to their allie glance. In
the meanwhile Nellie, leaning Oh he.
lovers arm, confided to him thai
Father always fell i'll SO opportuncly,
and recovered with such surprisin rea H.
ness whenever he found that Illness wa,
inconvenlent.' They both laughed, but
a quick remorsc snote the girl when on
their re,ur they saw lights canc,ng
about the Mouse, heard man-ser7ant On
horse go tearing after the doctor, an']
Mrs Belton met them with
"oh, Nelly, your father IS dying, dy-
ing. Il is a judgment on Us for oul
wicked doubling OF him this afterlSoa.
Oh, l can never, never forgive myself"
But when Nelly, followed by Rob, en-
D tered the darkcnei room where he'
father lay the color came back to her
checks an,. her eyes lost their look 0!
5 borrow, for with singular hlunderin-
Rob picked up the shaded Lamp, and,
turning the wick to it, ereleest height,
Iet the bright stream OF hight fall righ
on the sufferers face, 50 that hi
) daughter saw that the dying man,
4! counienance va, still very healthii.
5 tinted
: .Oh, Oh, OH groane Mr.. Belton
i Turn that lamp down. Is that you
l Nelly, daughters We'll, kiss your poo
L