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

mitted girl in gray with bunch o!
roses thrust into her muff.
''Why, Edith. she said rapidly, ~
never thought to find you down SC
early. If you are going out don't let
me keep you.
II am not going out; come into the
sitting room and get warm"
"No, / wont sit down. l only want
to see you moment. came to ask
you to join our house party-there
will only be eight Of US, the same old
crowd we had last year.
"The same crowd? How delight
full"
The same, and not the same.
won't invite Mr.. Agnew now"
"And what has poor Mr. Agnew
done?"
What has he done? Oh, nothing
unusual; they all do it sooner or
later; but an engaged man is de trop
at an affair of this kind. No girl
wants him for partner, and, really,
one can't blame them"
"An engaged mani" For one hor-
rible momeut Edith Alton thought she
was about to faint; the next, however,
the tables and chairs righted them
selves, her visitors face ceased its
grotesque gyrations and she was con-
ecious that she was speaking.
Co. Where did you hear that
pleasant bit Of news?" she asked, seat
ing herself on the arm of a chair.
why, last night; Mr.. Lane told
me coming home. Strange he never
mentioned it to you. l am horribly
disappointed. She's a Boston girl.
| You remember her-a little creature
who visited the Mores. Wealthy, of
course-trust Charlie for that but
| oh SO plain"
'Beauty is in the eye Of the be-
hclder," quoted Edith. Lightly. She
felt longing to cry out, to bury her
face somewhere, instead of which she
| must smile and look unconcerned and
discuss this love affair with the indif-
ference of mere acquaintance. "If
| ,~1 1o >
! tie thing"
"Nice? Heavens: Fancy Char rhts
coming to that-actually to marrying
nice girl! His best enemy couldn' t
| wish him worse luck. He has disap-
pointed me dreadfully. | thought, i
Significantly, che fnncied some on1
else, somebody nearer home. y
Somebody nearer home?-oh, dc
you mean myself? How awfully
funny Why, we are very good
friends; we have always been friends
but l." rapid flash Of thought
then, with rising color, II am goins
to marry another man.
Her visitors face expressed intense
surprise. "Going to be married.
she repeated; 81 had not heard
"No one has heard" said the othc,
with some emotion, ''and, by the way,
Mr.. Manning IS waiting for me in the
library. l must ask you to excuse
| me
"Mr. Manning?"
'Did YOU not guess 1 thought of
course you would. Don't speak of it.
Janet. I only told you because
(slowl7) you are such good friend Of
mine.
'And I appreciate it accordingly.
] wish you every happiness-she laid
her hand lightly on Edith's arm-you
know that, don't you?'
why. yes-you have always wished
me we'll, haven't you? See how po-
tent your wishes have been! But 4
return to our first subject, shall be
glad to go with you to Arley. Last
years visit was dream"
Then I shall count on you. Come
you will have to let me out; / an moi
au fsit with your latch.
What strong wind there is-drav
up your wraps. Goodby, and agai'
thank you for thinking Of me"
The front door slammed and Eiitt
stood moment in the hall. gathering
courage for what vas to come: the,
she turned and went into the library
Manning, who was standing at dis
tant window, came forward at be. en-
trance.
II an afraid kept you" she said
giving him trembling haad, "bu.
was detained By aa early cali from