Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1893-11-18

And thinking that he was eager IL In
press upon her that they were {, -be
nothing more, she added. "An | i
was very wise to break of that child
lsh engagement before you came home,
wasn't ito'
"Y-yes," he SAID. doubtfluly. cob,
yes, of course. Your feelings ar,
naturally quite changed. l suppo.e.
Nancy"
Naturally, she sail ealn1lv, bu,
thinking TO herself that she was not 90
sure about that. after all
"Naturally," be echoed, his eyes,
however, becoming a little clsudcl:
Those boy and girl engaeements
never answer, do they People d.
velop - differently from what ole
'Oh, he IS SO bovish that he Will
think me strong minded, and therefore
dislike me- said Nan@, laughinglv
'And | did send him my last photo
1rnph, you know.
Did you send that hldeous thing?H
asked Mary in surprise
WILL confessed Mary, rather re
inctant1y, II believe | had some secret,
nnconfersed hops that he would offer
to break of the engagement if he once.
saw that hideous caricature. But here
comes Ned 1 shalt leave you to ex-
plain things to him"
A day or two later Nancy started for
her usual afternoon walk along the
cliffs. Since sho had been released
from the engagement, which for some
years past had been weighing on her
spirit, she hat been IN state Of ex-
hilnration which sur. r.sel nor. The
world seemed wholly beau, :ully; life
was nu nnmixel blcesiny; sin ana
poverty were rarer than she had
thought. Walking quickly }along,
absorbed in these pleasant reflections
she did not hear footsteps behind her,
and was surprised at hearing herself
suddenly addressed. Looking up with
startled eyes she found a young man
gazing at her with puzzled, intent
J expression in his handsome face.
''You are Nancy, are Won not" he
| oo,1 f1o,, 10 f,,11x, H. 1
''Wby, Jim. is it really YOU asked
Nancy. regarding him with surprise.
"How you have grown! When did you
Gomez and how did you find mex"
II came two days ago, he said, r, :
dening slightly in irritation at her first
words "Father was anxious that |
should stay with him yesterday, but
called at the Ness this afternoon, and
Mrs, Messenger told me VIE | should
find YOU
LET us go home now, and then vo1
can see them all, she said, turning
back. "You will hardly know ths
children; they were such mites When
you left. III
'T certainly stal' MOI, il they have
altered rs much as YOU nave done.
scarcely knew vou, he said, looking
down at her with intent gray eyes. anc
lnwardly comparing this beautiful
graceful girl with the gauche school
girl of five years since.
II am older, she said, her hear
sinking strangely. ''He might dis
cnise the fact that he finds me dis
appointing failure she thought
rather bitterly.
"Of course We are no longer boy ant
girl" he said ''But l hope We shall
slwavs be friends. Nancy! We have
would expect Judging from your let
ters, | should have thought you utter
" different from what l find YOU.
"you ara>equallv different from wha
should have expected you = be,
she answered. But let us put NJ
with each other as we are. we nee,
not see much of one another, vol
know
They hal just reached the gate lead
ing INTO the gscden OF the Ness. a
she said this. AMI unconsciouslv sh
paused outside. Jim took this
courled with her last words. as a hin
that he should go. and was more hur
than he cared TO own.
Good afternoon, he said, stltiiy
raising his hat Your suggestion !
brilliant one, and you need not fea
that l shall trouble you with my pres
ence more often than is necessary.
You are coming in" she said
looking al him with panied, pleaiin
eyes.
= e