Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-05-02

John, who was making all sorts Of
plans for our future. when | saw tall
gentleman, dressed IN foreign uni
form, making his way through the
guests toward tue recess where we
were. l had noticed him several times
before IN the course Of the evening
regarding Inc most attentively.
As he was evidently coming to speak
to us, | said:
'Who is this gentleman, Sir John?'
ooh, my dear, Mr. Mr.. = Tut,
tut, ] forget his name for the moment;
a friend of Jack S, who came over
from France with him and is staying
few days with us.
By this time the gentleman had made
his way across the hal, and stood bow
ing to us.
MAY I have the honor of this
dance?' he inquired.
] was going 70 reply "No, for |
wanted to rest till Jack came back to
me. when Sir John said, ''Y Yes, 7Lcttie,
child, do, SO, of4 course, | was
obliged to say, with pleasure.
Is your aunt marricd?" asked my
partner as We returned to the recess
after the dance.
No
"Thank Cod" ! am sure l heard
him mntter under his breath.
.No," said. aunt had n terri
Bile disappointment years ago; her
lover was killcd-fcll over tho cliff,
We think-the day before they were
to have been married, and aunt has
never cared for any one since.
"Thanh God = my strange partner
said this time aloud. ''My child, l
ought to explain, to introduce myself
| should have done 50 ut first, but the
likeness was SO striking; | thought
perkape YOU were her daughter. My
name is Ircsillian, Gilbert Tresilllan
-ah, | see You know, noticing my
start Il was not killed on that aw ful
night. | was captured by the Press
Gang
'Yes, yes l said, ego on"
Il made a desperate fight for
liberty, but what was one against. SO
many? ! was soon knocked inscnsi-
bic, and when l recovered consc1ous
ness | was on shipboard, bound for
the Mediterranean. The next day n
gale sprang UP, our vessel was scla
rated from the rest, and we were cap
turcd, after r smart engagement, by
the enemy | was landed, wounded
and prisoner, and have remained a.
prisoner ever since. I tried to COM
muncate with England, but was dis
covered, and in consequence was trans
terred to another prison, this time IN
Switzerland. and only the entry of
| the Allies into Paris gave me nay Free
| dom. | came to England, hurried to
| Dawlish, to find that Miss Treherne
! had LETT years ago, and that no one
| knew my whereabouts. returned to
! London to settle matters with nv
agents, and Instruct them to continue
the search, and then accept the invi-
tatlon Of Major Pendarves, whom |
had met IN Paris, TO spend short
time with him. And you think Letitia
Miss Trehernc, | mean-has not
forgotten me-
NO, am sure she has not
How happy | was that night!
kept touching my half Of the broken
| siNpence IN its blue silk bag in nv
pocket; it had indeed brought me
luck. However, the happiest day
must end, and so l suppose must 6
@oTry evening. Jack and l and Mr..
Tresillian were soon rolling over the
frost-bound roads towards home,
with my hand in Jacks, supremel,
happy, and Mr.. Tresillian telling II.
his experience as a prisoner in France
Poor fellow, how l pitied him. A
last We arrived al the Dover house
and II was agreed that | should 60 il
first and break the news 10 nv motbe1
and aunt. Mother came into the hall
to meet ME.
We'll, my child, have YOU enjoyed
yourself? But, there. need not ask
You you look radiant.
LOB, mother dear, laying nv hant
on her shoulder, j am so harpv
Jack has asked ne and II YOU consent
we are to be married a. Christmas
Fer answer my mother kissed me
And, mother Jack Is here, and som