Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1892-12-10


now"
Fanny looked with secre. awe a. the
ruddy face aud magnificent height of
Will Pendexter, as be sauntered down
the green aisies of waving tendrils and
tremulous leaves, aud almost wondered
to hear him ask Manila Bentley abou.
her baby, in the off hand, ordinary Ian
guage OF every day life, and give lame
Billy Bartlett ''good day." just as il
there had been no Countess Caprivi in
the world.
But Fanny Dix was but girl yet; she
did not know how twenty years will
bridge over the darkest gulf in a human
life. There is no scar that will not heal
in twenty years-there is not grave on
which grass will not grow-aye, and
daisies bloom, in twenty years.
" don't know that we can take
another hand, Simpson, said Squire
Pendexter, meditativelv. "fhe field is
crowded already" ~
"What thought, exactly. SIR" said
the overseer, respectfully. "But this
ere is pretty young slip OF girl, with
feeble mother dragging along on her
arm. Aud man doesn't like 70 say
'no' to such. So thought Id just
speak to you, befoEe--'
"Where are they?" said the Squire,
rubbing the gold knob of his walking
cane against his nose, and Simpson knew
that the case of the forlorn strangers was
safe enough.
''Mother, don't fret; here comes the
gentleman now" said Il clear, SO t.
.oned voice, and Squire Pendextsr
found himself looking into a pair as
Hstful, deep blue orbs- orbs that be-
,onged to slight, beautiful girl dressed
II faded fabric and worn shoes, who
was leaning against the well-curb. For
while Simpson had been gone on his
errand Of inquiry, she had drawn
bucket Of clear, cold water out Of the
sparkling depth Of the we'll aud given
her mother a drink out Of the silver
bound gourd which always hung there.
''Sir," without moments hesitation,
7 ~, of u,
fields! We have come from the city -
mother and there's no living to be
picked UP there, an nv mother is all
ing, and we thought the smell of the
hops might do her good. Please, sir,
we'd work cheap, if only we might
sleep in the barn aud have bit Of some
thing to eat between wniles."
"Ldon't want you to work cheap"
said the squire, assuming an aspect of
unwonted gruffaess to cover the sym
pathetic thrill in his voice. IL Lever
grudeel money s worth for good, honest
work. AS for the barn, my housekeeper
can put YOU in one or the vacant oack
chambers over the kitchen, and there s
always enough to eat al. Pendextcr
Farmi'
"Pendexter Farm"
Fhe woman who had been sitting on
the mossv cattle trough slowly lifted her
head here and pushed back her worn
suE-bonnet.
"Where are we, Isora? Whittier have
we Gomez l knew man by the name
| Of Pendexter, once, who
! "Yes, said the squire, who had given
| q little START at the first sound of tina.
! low contralto voice. ut was /, Clara
CaDrivi, To think that Fate should
nave brought rs together ays,n after all
tueSe years
Tie pale woman struggled to her feet
and cutched a, her daughter. slim,
srons arm.
''Let US 60. Isora,' said she. eve
vc have made mistake. G7e me my
shawl. Quic.s. Let rs GO
"But, mother, wnyI" soothel the
gir. who scarcely as yet conp!eaeaded
al this by play. Don't you hear yaat
the gentleman saws! We can nav. work
here and food aad shelter. Not 1er. 81,