The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-11-14

. right &C. -FOUR opiniOns-that yOu take
your chance: yOu must not think I am
altogether unfair"
leaned on the oars. The little Essex
was apologetic-for her nerves: and then.
! pitiet her. as--Ezs
:. understand perfectly the circum-
stances!'
70. I'm not glad" she cried. 81 hate
the situation ne ! have said. but ] could
not block Harriet Ackland because Sf
my prejudice"
"Yan were unsel6sh."
For some moments she was silent. and
then. strangely enough. hogan again.
Yet must tell you there are things
about you I cannot help adnir!ng. al
though l have the best reasons for de-
spising your position, when you should
know better"
There's small enough ground for adj
miratiOn." | retOrted. lamely enough,
She was surprising me with her amends.
/ Eyes, frankly, there is" said she
"small enough. Yet I'm not such
b;got as not to respect the motive lead
ing you TO send me that very cOnsiuer-
ate note when-when Dick was killed"
| "What else could I?'
"Nothing. Yet it modifies ones hate
in a degree to know that the person who
is wrong is not utterly devoid Of feel
ing"
81 am glad you have found that, out"
l said, rather feelingly.
But she appeared bound not to leave
me conceited, saying resPntfnlly:
''It doesn't matter whether you're glad
or sorry"
81 know that only too we'll
elbow do YOU knOwY'
"The nature of the case" said /.
"Of course"
A moment after she added.
al am glad l have had this talk with
you, because we both shall feel easier
You do not know how much gratitude
you put me under" said |, half mock
ingly. But she thought | was earnest.
lyon know you mustn't forget what l
think of you"
"How can | help it?'
! Because you know it's matter of
complete ind ference to me"
Now what can you do when woman
takes your wittic;Sm in earnest? Why,
/ kept pretending.
But it isn't to me; never can be-"
"And why shouldn't it be when You
know?'
when I know?" questioned I, half
liking the pretense.
THAT l know that you have right
to your opinion"
a gracious concession" said I.
She added after a moment:
Eyes, I'm glad | have had this chance
to prove I'm no bigot even if you be
traitor"
She went on after pause which she
seemed to give me chance to frame an
answer.
"You must have advanced to be
major"
"Gen. Washington knew my father"
"Do you remember how scolded you.
whom l had just met, for being a david
iarY
1T was sweet Of you to be interest
ed" said I.
81 was not interested beyond the I'M
patience I always feel at seeing a clev-
er men wasting opportunities"
81 know that" said L; mot that I'm
clever"
'T do not know. Mr.. Sedley. but that
II is strange enough for me to be talk
ing TO you in this way. But-but-"
az appreciate 1t in you, Miss Essex"
said I. a1w entirely IN earnest.
This terrible battle-so much suffer
ing softens one"
The steady oar mingled with the cry
OF nighthawk. Something splashed
AT least we understand each other
better" said she.
81 hope So" said I.
30, we must" said she, almost hum
bly,.
had pulled rather slowly. and found
on looking about that Brudenell's boat
was around bend Of the river. When I
commenced more vigorously mnsket
was fred from the forest. the ball graz
ing her face"
Unto the bottom of the boat! Quick!'
] cried. "D0wn. Miss Essex
She oheyed. crouching with admirable
eelf-control. while rested on the oars.
"Rut you. Int you. Maj Sedley?"
Another report. with the splash over
the bow. told me II was not chance
shot: that it was from Indians. or other
narau1ers-of whom the unsettled coun-
try had many-or from an outpost of
Gen Gates.
On the latter chance I called:
II have heaved to. What do you
want"'
! For answer I had a blow in the side
that tumbled me over, when one oar