Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1892-05-14

"No. She told me to come here to
put up my horse, he is waiting cut
side
"Oh, poor fellow, he must be very
tired" said Matsy, hurriedly, hanging
the lantern on hook. "Opeu the big
door, Lead him into one of the empty
stalls. Not that side. Bassie is there
the cow-aod she isn't used to horses"
With quick, dcit hands, the girl tossed |
down an armful Of hay into the mauger |
and showed Mr. Berestord where to find |
the painted pail wherewith to bring
water from the well, and then leaving
the lantern as guide, she vanished.
Mr.. Beresford smiled quietly as he
made his horse comfortable; and then re-
turned to the house, where Mrs. Mills
had pre- pared an appetizing repast. But
when be went to bed at ten o'clock there
was no sign of Mattys return.
Mrs Mills herself hurried over to Aunt
Betsy,s house il the morning.
"Where's Martha!' said She ~ want
her.
s'Marthy2" echoed Aunt Betsy, put
ting one hand behind her ear after the
fashion of deaf people. "What about
Marthy2 She amt been here"
Then where is she2" cried: Mrs. Mills.
toned Aunt Bets y, irritably.
'She was always as full of kinks as a
clorhesline on wet day" sighed Mrs.
Mills. ~ guess I'll jest have 70 do the
best can without her. She was dread
full opposed to my boardin' the four rev
erends; but guess my willis as strong as
,her'n I'll get along somehow, and
Martha shan't have cent of the money |
earn-no, not cent! But amt it funny.
Betsy? Mr.. Beresford tells me-by the
way, his names Beresford, not Belford,
as | s'posed i. was-that he used to visit
up to Mansfield, where Martha taught
one term spell ago
81 want to know?' said Aunt Betsy.
Gle seen her down to the barn last
night" added Mrs. Mills. 'She sho wed
him where to put up his horse, au' tha
was the last Of her. wish knew wher'
she was.'
The convention had been in session
several days, when, during Mr.. Beres
ford's sermon in the crowded villag
church, his eyes fell on Matty Mills's face
half hidden in the shadow of one Of tn
quaint wooden pillars.
He paused moment in mid sentence
then he collected himself, and went o
: as brilliantly as ever.
But when he had finished, he did nc
stav to hear the Reverend Raymond Cush
ing's 'remarks,' which came next, b,
slipped out into the fresh air and sta
LIGHT. So that when unconscious Matt
emerged, like slim shadow, he quietl
put out his hand and stopped her. ST
started violently.
: '-o1op E1lnurc, sa1u ne. "1vny ar
e You crying?."
5 IL didn't want to cry" said sht
, sobbing and de6art. ''But you mac
+ me-you preached that sermon right q
a me!'
Il wasn't thinking Of you. Mi
Matty,' said he, quietly, "until my g
> fell on your face. All the same, If t
cap fits you, by all means pat it on.
Il won't be so wilful for the f-ture
murnured Matty. 'I'll give up my o'
> way. III come back this very night Al
help mother in her own fashion. Az
III she is older than | am, and wiser.
She spoke partly as if she were thin
+ in9 aloud, as she added:
- Il had meant to go up osrth agf
- and teach, but if mother wants ne
y stay here"
And NOBODY but Matte herself-a
: possibly Mr.. Beresford, in lesser deg
knew what it cost the girl to relinlu
her ambitious dreams and take up
:, humble, honely burden Of everyday
again. But she did it bravelv.
Martha amt the same gal she VA
complacently spoke Mrs. Mills Il
bo ways knoved If l ta!aei TO her K
enough | could make her hear reas
" Aud old Doctor Pounce he gave her
o real good advice convention week.
In the gray, soft days Of Mover n3
Mr. Beresforl cane buck to fll'il
promise be had made TO preach
more for the village pastor.
Al He walked across the mea foTs -
Of Mills cottage TO shake hands "'n
n | hostess Of the preceding summer.
liss .Nell. dec!are,' said Mrs. Mills,
the dustriousv polishing her speci