Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1894-11-17

P"S 0n VIC e'i uay as long as pos.
sible
AS yon wish, then; will you call
Tomorrow"
Yes, IN the morning, at H." He
bowed and withdrew Just as her next
partner came hurrying up.
The cotillon is about to begin.
Miss Alton, he SAID, taking Manning's
chair, "but | think We have time for
short chat. You don't mind taIhino
to me for few minutes, do you?"
why. 10, she answered, for she
liked the lad not only for his own sake.
but because Of his friendship with that
other, whose image was never long alb
sent from her mind.
by the "ay,' he said, as if reading
her thoughts. II got letter from
Agnew to-day. l thought you might
care to hear from him; you always
seemed such friends
Eyes, she responded, idly. "How
is he?"
VERY we'll; but growing homesick.
Think Of it he has been away si1
weeks
mo doubt he is enjoying himself. y
"Oh, Carl VIII get the best out of
life; that's his way, you know"
''Yes, l know" The answer was
given SO carelessly, with such appar-
ent Indifference, that he was about to
speak, to tell her the tidings that
his letter contained, and which
- far some instinct had made
him withhold, 0hen his hostess ap-
peared in tI,e doorway
"Come. you two," she called, ''the
others are waiting for you.
"Dear Mrs. Danton," said the girl,
rising. "Mr. Lane and I are such
Did friends that we sometimes forget
how time flies"
"You young dissembler,' laughed
The older woman; "you know Her
bert Manning was in the conservatory
With you.
A sudden blush stained Edith's
,heek-she hated herself for it, it
was SO apt to mislea1-but Mrs. Dan
ton seemed in no way surprised.
"There, child don't look SO fright
ened," she said "No one wishes you
happiness more than ]. ;"
''But, Mrs. Danton-'
"Really,. Miss Edith put in Lane,
who had been a puzzed and uncora-
Portable listener, 81 don't like to hurry
you, but we shall surely be late"
She turned away; after all, what
did it matter; by tomorrow the world
would know the truth, Manning's face
would tell the story os his rejection,
and few hours misconstructlor OF
! could harm no one But late that
| night, when she stood in her own
| pretty room, she felt vaguely dissatis-
fed with herself; she could not put
| the feeling from her.
II have not acted honestly she
| said aloud. II should have answered
| him; it WAS not kind to put him off,
it may lead him to hope, he mey have
misunderstood me-" She was silent q
| moment, then went on still contrltely /:
"And do like him He is the kind
est, truest friend, but love = She
arose and crossed the room.
| When she came back she carried a
| photograph, mans cold, clever face
the face Of one WHO knew the world,
and was perhaps not on the best OF
terms with it.
"But for you" she said, gazing IN
TO the unresponsive eyes. II hac
loved that other man; il you had not
| shown me SO clearly that | was dear te
you. might still care for him. ior be
loves me dearly; but it IS too late
now too late to talk Of what might
have been" She stopped and ltat
her lips on the pictures
The next morning she was ,dline
over her FIRE, when the maid brought
up bunch OF heartsease and q card
"Mr Manning's complime ats, ua'am
and will you see him?"
"Yes; say to him that viii bt
down in moment.
When the door closed she lifted ths
heartsease teadarly; mute appeal
they seemed 10 her, from the giver.
Poor fellow" she thought regret
fully. Il should have told him; how
ever, there IS 40 use keeping hi-
waiting. I nigh: IS well get thsous!
With il at once