Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1893-06-03

thought it :
'Marv," he said- in mild censure,
Il n serious tonight, and I'd like YOU
. he. too. think you remember as
well as | do that it's.wo yearc since the !
first night | brought YOU home from
the protracted meeting in Templeton.
| have told you often that / love YOU
want You for my wife, but you
isara see1. u.easa,. \. tnrnswav the
punl'ct, and see yd,l arc dlsposeu To
hold me off tonight. want to tel.
You that l came to get yes or no"
He paused, and she looked up in real
wonder at the decisive tone marking
the las. statement.
eyes. I'm IN dead earnest tonight"
he continued "What Is your answer2"
There was no sound save the click
inc of hcr knitting needles but she
gave har head an, indepcndent toss,
ard pnrelng her lips IN like spirit. she
i piled
"An' suppose I don't choose TO give
you any answer to-nicht:'
NV I'll. 10 answer this evening will
moan no 10 me. You have had time
tp tind out if YOU can love me as a
lusba'.,, and Ii You cannot tell me
now III think you don't want me, and
Ell never IL. You again.
Very Well, she said willfully, "you
needn't. I'm not SO anxious to go to
1emlsI@ton t" live anyhow. I'm salts
tico here. There are plenty of young
men who'd be glad enough to come
lsaI- 70 :lst "- iathe2 wishes. iou are
the only one tlat refuses to, and I'm
sure no one J. trying to compel you.
Why, even Reginald Brown, with oil
bis money and his fine house, was here
this afternoon, and told me hc'was Will
ING to come any time.
"Rceinald Brown" he exclaimed
contemp
Brown was the richest young man of
the Gci9hhOrhood, and therefore con
sioe-el the best catch. 1t was asserted
taat Mary Graham would never marry
blake as long as there was a chance Of
capturing Brown, and the former well
knew Of such opinion. Brown had
been West for number of years. and
there had been whispers of wild, if not
crimh a., doings there, but, in viqw "
his financial worthiness, they remained
whispers and finally died away.
flake care what vou say about him, y
said the girl, note of alarm escaping
her. He was here to-day, as ! said,
and he is very bitter against You. He
did not threaten YOU openly, but he
said manv things to show that he hates
you and that he means to =. even with
yv,. rt,1 t77,> ~1,Tn-vou gcvc MN ar the
meeting last week
Just like the coward ''Blake said
ancrily, TO come with his threats 10
woman. Why doesn't he come to
me and make them?'
"Reginald Brown is a man not = be
1efied," -Iarv said. putting down her
knitting to conceal the trembling Of
her hands land YOU had best not be
SO o,ltspoken. II he should hear you,
YOU might regret t.
"PsEav. he cried impatientlv, '1'm
not afraid ot him. If YOU want him
Mary, Just sag 50; don't try to scare
ne away.
She looked doDhtfullv at him n mo-
mect. then anger flashed over her
face, and ehe sad.
I'm not trying 70 scare vou away.
Mr.. Brown has probably tie same
right TO consideration as you. He
was here to-day. as have said, Just a.
you game tonight, TO get a final An.
swer from me. =
Aud what answer did you give
hin = he asked impalsively.
"Have YOU right to ask that? But
7 will tell YOU anyhow. / gave him
the same answer | viii give you.
viii take nv own time 10 answer.
won't give il % anyone until | ar
ready. | have no answer 10 give you
to-llsht That Is Your answe<.
Til younc man rose slowly. took HI.
iat iroIa the table and walked towart
the door Deep dependency was up
On his face as he turned there, anC
said
'Marv. I Sc i all now. Yon lov'
| Brown. 1ou lose him when be comes
TO vou, trying TO Win yon by threAs'
OF rival. That isn't manly"