Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1896-09-24
the indor>cment all right I will give
YOU All o L for the balance

handed him the writing MATERIALS
Archie Lidyard wrote the acknowl-
edsmeni, spoke a few words 10 those
around him. acl Then kfr The room.
it was evident. IN >pir!. Of The young
mans calmneSs and unconr"rn. that
tho loss was a ser.ors one ard fh- even
ing's work no laughing matter
But James Ruthven was naturally in
a more cheerful mood. He was not
poor man. but he was far nough from
being millionaire to feel no slight sat
isfaction at the rcspecta bic sum of his
winnings, - - hundred and fifty
pounds was n total worthy Of consider
alton. and il must be confessed that he
looked at til" slip Of paper bearing the
pretty signature Of Eva Lidyard" on
the back with certain amount Of COM
placency before retiring TO rest
He was aroused next morning by
loud knocking at his door.
Eli! Come in what's the matter:
what do you want he inquired, Start
in- up.
"a lady to see you, SIR
what"
Ruthven admitted the servant. glanc-
ing at his watch as he passed; it was
just $50, who could wish to see him SO
soon
a lady to see me, did you say"
Yes. sir
What sort of LADY," inquired
Hutnvrn. dubou>ly.
Il can't rightly say. sir; she's got a
thick veil on and shes all in black
Did she give you no card:'
no. sir
Most extraordinary; 90 down and
ask her if she can tell you her bust
ness"
In fey minutes he returned.
Its a Mrs. Lidyard. sir, and she says
her business is very private"
Mrs. Lidyard" Like Il flash the
pretty signature at the back Of the
check came back to him. ASK her into
the sitting room" he said, quickly.
Say will be with her directly"
+ He dressed hurriedly; what could she
want with him?
You wish to see me, madam?' he
the door of his private sitting room be-
hind him
\ tall, black-robed figure advanced to
/ him.
You are very good TO come to me-"
she said in Il broken voice.
Ruthven glanced at her quickly: she
locked particularly graceful and ele-
giant in her sable draperie>. and the
voice was soft and pleasant, in spite OF
the evident distress and NERVOUSNESS of
the speaker
Pray sit down" sai id Ruthven. draw
Ing II chair: but Mrs Lidyard sank
down i'll one nearer her, her back to the
ligif.
.Nill You tell me what I can do for
YOU" asked 1;uthN II. gently.
The small, black .loved hands twist
ed 4 handkerchief desperately Mrs
| Iidvaru made one or two Intellectual
Fattempt> to speak. and at last said:
You won Il large sum last night
! frola my son at cards, Mr. Ruthyen:'
~ considerable sum yes
And he he gave you q check for
it,"
For part Of it, certainly"
Mrs. Lidyard uttered Il groan. Ruth
/ ven's astonishmcnt grew What did il
! all mean? With what was evidently 4
! great effort his visitor continued:
! "a check drawn in my favor: purport
/ ing to bc indorsed by me-
Yes.
Il hc--oh!' she broke down Sobbing
the wrctched. wretched boy.
The veil she wore was thick. but no
so thick as to disguise her. and Ruth
| ven could see that Mrs. Lidyard wa:
still possessed Of very great charms
and the glimpse he caught OF hel
snowy hair only made the rest of hel
face appear more youthful Grief under
Snch circumstances, cannot fail TO bt
coaching.
Fray calm Yourself. Mrs Lidyard,
IL said. Soothin-ly. "lou have not yc
told ne how | can serve YOU"
Mrs. Lidvard suppressed her agita
ton and continued
Il must tell YOU everything; ! can a.
nothing but throw myself upon You
mercy. Yesterday, on going throug,
my accounts l missed a check that .ha
been sent nae only the day before.
searched cvtryW here Tor il, and no
finding IT, l iiaally tcl,.cri nled 10 III
bankers stopping payment did 10
II lir~i suspect that She hesitatc,l
Il ann very unfortunately placed NJ
son has eNtravagaNt tastes. ana an II