Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1894-05-05

remained silent and fumbled for
ny pocket handkerchief.
Who began it?" pursued Aunt Ma
ria. sternlr.
II don't know"
Have you broken of your engage.
ment?"
"Yes, / burst forth; II hate him
and will never speak to him again.
Then began to weep copiously.
III you are going to bawl," said
Aunt Maria, with bitter irony. 'syou
had better leave the room. shall re.
qnire full explanation tomorrow
from both you and Mr.. Johnson"
fed upstairs and did not appear
again that evening. passed wretch
ed night and had frightful scene with
Amt Maria the next morning. She
stormed and expostulate I. but / re-
NAMED nrm IN my resolve To return
Dicks ring and presents that day
Accordingly spent couple ofhours
in crying over them and packing them
up.
After luncheon Aunt Maria an
nounced her intention of visiting some
pensioners of hers in the village about
three miles distant, and ordered me
kto accompany her, which / prepared
20 do with very bad grace, fear We
walked for about half an hour without
exchanging word, and SO thoroughly
ill-tempered pair Of pedestrians could
hardly have been found anywhere.
Our way led through some fields,
and, on reaching the frs. gate, I
noticed ma2 leaning against it. AS
we came up he opened 1t for us anc
politely raised his hat He looked
like gentleman and was dressed in q
well-titting suit of blue serge. ] saw
that he was stranger and wondered
where he came from, as strangers We're
rare in our secluded part of the world.
A little further on I looked back
and observed that he WAS following u.s.
though that rather odd, but hav-
ing resolved not to speak to Aunt
Maria until she addressed me held
my peace.
At the third gate tne same perform
ance was repeated, but this time the
stranger did not fall behind. He
asked: "May l not offer You M
arm?"
Ger talnly not, cir, was the inGig-
uant rejoinder; 81 have not the
honor of your acquaintance, nor do
desire it. -
''At least you will permit me to
carry your umbrella" continued the
stranger, unabashed Aunt Maria
merely snorted, and clutching he,
umbrella more nrmly, marched on al
an increased pace.
"ls there no service yon will allow
me TO render you?" pursued ouc un-
welcome companion in tragic tones.
$50 away, sir!" said my aunt,
furiouslv. "We do not wish for your
company. Your having spoken to u
at all is piece Of the most unwarrant
able impertinence.
''Do not drive me from you" wa'
the reply. 81 love you'll l havs
loved you from the first moment / saw
you. You are the only woman l evel
| loved"
And with these words this most ex
traor binary individual threw hinsel
on his knees right it front of Aun,
Maria's path. At this point . ligh,
broke in upon me. There was larg,
| private iunatic assiu,n IN the neigh
| borhood This must surely be Que o
the patients who had eluded tn
vigilance of his keepers AMI escape |
Hes mad. I whispered to Aun
Maria. For goodness sake huno
him or he will murder us both.
have always heard they must b
humored.'
Aunt Maria. however, paid no At
tention, and also doubt If she eve
heard me-
LET Us pass this instant sir - sh
gasped. crimson with wrath
Never. never. till vou promise t,
| be mine.
| At this point. | regret 10 say. N,
aunt lost her temper altogether. an,
raised her umbrells, she brough: /
down upon her suitor's head with sac
force that she quite crushed IN the 10
o@ the b0.la- Ia. he wore a-j r.15e