Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1893-03-04


fascinated me almost from the momeu,
in which first bcheld her
/ was Al one OF the mineral springs
At the foot OF mountain sha. we first met,
on the day after my arriva. She add
bevy of her fair companions were laugh
ing aud chatting together about its brink
when we came upon them, and seeing
that we had no drinking vessel, she
dipped silver cup into the spring and
offered It with charming grace, first to
Uncle Joe, aud then to me. IquafIed
the healing waters, and with it the first
love-draught that my heart had ever
known. Then we all wen. back to the
hotel together; the fair Hebe and l, by
some unaccountable arrangement, find.
ing ourselves the last couple in the pro.
cession. She talked frankly, frst about
the scenery, and then lightly touching,
in charmingly original and independent
way, upon various topics. found her
to be brimfu of poetry and romance,
without what is called "gush;" and we
made the interesting discovery that our
favorite poems were the same, and that
upon many subjects our tastes and
opinions were ficntcal. In fact, we
were kindred spirits.
Approaching the hotel, observed a
portly and comfortable looking couple
seated on the piazza, the gentleman
smoking and the lady screnely flaming
herself. My fair companion nodded and
smiled to them, and said, laughingly:
"Aunt Patterson Will be surprised to
find that I have been walking with
gentleman to whom. | haven't been in
troduced She is the dearest soul. but
such an awful stlcklcr for etiquette and
conventlonalities Now mJ name is
Ethel Gray, and am niece Of that nice
old gentleman on the piazza there
Judge Patterson, of Wytheville"
She said this with an inimitable de-
mure archness Of expression, aud /, as
in duty bounl, fastened to reciprocate
the confidence.
"My name is Percy Howard; and am
the nephew of the respectable old gen
tleman walking in front of us-Mr.
Joseph Barksdale, ttorney-at-law, of
Middleton, Pa
She laughed as she answered.:
"What lovely name you have! so
romantic and chivalric in sound,
adore pretty names; don't you1"
assented; but cold chill ran through
me at the thought. ''Suppose had been
obliged to inform her that my name was
Peter Tubbs'" Aud l then aud there
formed a solemn resolve to relinquish oil
claim to my Aunt Fosters fortune, and
retain my own name of Percy Howard.
IIencetorth the more that saw of the
fair Ethel the more enamored did l be-
come Of her sweet and winning graees.
In less than a week | was convinced that
she was the one woman in the world
whom destiny had marked out for me;
and at the end of the second week took
my uncle into my confidence and com
municatcd to HIM nv intention of asking
her to become my wife.
II see no objection, !" my uncle replied
after moments grave thought "pro.
vided she will accept you. She is q
charming girl-a little romantic, but
sensible; and Will, l am sure, make o
good wife. Fortunately, your aunt's
money will enable you to live in com
fort, whereas without it you and your
wife would starve; for, as understand,
she has nothing of her own, aud is de-
pendent on her uncle, Judge Patterson.
Indeed, I heard him say yesterday tia:
he would never consent to her marrying
poor man."
Here was dilemma. After resolving,
for E'hel's sake, to keep my name, here
found myself reduced 10 the aftermath ve
OF relinquishing it in order to gain pos
session OF her. To resign her fcl, &c
DC an inpossibMi.y, whereupon al
length, no. without paag. informed
Uncle joe tha. had concluded TO ac-
cept the conditions OF nv aun.'s will aai
| CAIN the fortune. B1. / should have
70 explain ]. 70 Ethel, aad waa: would
ste sayl
E,he! listened ve-y a.:e1.:vely, "a II +,
p.easan, little retired nook On the lawn,
! called 'sne lovers seat told De,
abcu, mr. greas-auu.'s will and is ao
/ surd coodi,ion. Her swee. face was full
Of syn oa.hy. but shen ASKED he, ,c