Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1893-04-22


The sun is shining madIy on their heads :,
the birds are singing on every branch.
1t is May-delighsful May. toe lovers
month-and the hottest May sha. has
been known for years.
81 don't know says Letitia, with
deep despordency.
'It's such beastly folly, says Hardinge
presently, in az impatien. tone. "If !
were fool CT poor man or reprobate;
but l am not-am /, Powl"
"Oh, no. says Us:itia. She creeps
closer to him and encircles his wais, with
her arm, or, at all events. tries bravely
to do so. It doesn't go half way round.
but that doesn't matter She grasps =
bit of his coat and holds on to him so
"Do you know what You are, Jackl The
dearest old boy on earth.'
"And you-do you know what you
are7' says Hardinse. pressing her fingers
to his lips.
"No," says she.
swell, can't tell you," says ne. "be
cause there is nothing on earth 6t te
compare you with. You are you, and
that's alll"
"What lovely speech, No wonder
love you, says Letltia, naively; "bu::, y
collapsln5 into gloon, "what's the good
OF it all? Auntie will never let YOU
marry me-"
''We could marry without her per-
mission, says he slowly.
No, we couldn't" Gays L etitia, with
decision. She looks q. him earnestly.
81 wouldn't marry you without her per.
mission for anything. We would have
to run away, and that would break her
heart. | am all she has in the world,
and. though she scoids me good deal,
love her. | wouldn't desert herz
jack
"You could come back again." says
he.
"Of course, know that. But then
she would always feel disappointed in me
and hurt and No. no, | shall never
do that Sic trusts me So"
"Then I hon't know what's going tc
be tire end Of it, says he.
''We r1ust only wait, says Letitia,
despondinGly. "And now, Jack, you
had better go. She is sure to come up
here presently, to see how the men are
getting on with that fence. You know
what an excellent woman of business she
is. If she caught you here"
"There would be wigs on the green, >
says Jack, laughing. "WeIl, good by
for awhile. ! suppose if I come back
this evening shall find you herc2"
"Yes-oh, yes. Jack, do take care,
the men will see you."
"Not they" says. Jack, kissing bel
again. ''And you-what are you going
to do while am awaya"
"Think Of you,' with little saucy
glance at HIM from uuder her long lashes
"By the bye, have you got match about
yous"
"What on earth do you want it for7'
says he, giving her some wax4ights out
of little silver box as he speaks. go
ing to have a cigarette| =
"Nonsense! feel as If wanted to
set fire to some of those dry little
punches of grass, fairy tufts we used to
call them long ago. They would burn
beautifully to-day, the sun Is SO hot.
"Well, DON, set FIRE to yourself, what
ever you do says he, thoughtlessly.
Once again ,uey kiss, and This time
really part.
Letitia stands watching pim till he is
Oul Ok sieAty ES1aAia- oA sipec0 a. 49,
gets over the wall to blow last kiss to
him. Then coming ou. OF the shelter o!
her trysting- place, she walks into the
old meadow, now beaten down save
where the tail, course tufts Of grass ar
growing. Lighting one Of her matches
she kneels down and sets fire to the tuf,
nearest her. 1, usei ie be an amuse
r.en. Of hers in her Childhood, aud sh'
is not vet so far removed from thos,
DAYS as 10 have los. all childish fancies
Sitting down Oh the side Of q tiny hillocI
at a distance STE watches the dancing
fanes-so small, SO aicker.ng, So harm
| less.
SIZE leans bac. against the bank be
! hind her aad crosses he. white arms be
| hind her head. VIA. s day i. isl
mos. heavenly, s.ees-quise d.ows
| dav. Mos, lovely tbs. light smoke i
I'D