Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1897-03-25


set eyes on, for he always was hand
some fellow. SO it was with feeling
akin 70 satisfaction that l threw my.
sell into chair III the study when the
menlal labor was over and awaited the
coming Of my guests. Already Bran
ton was aplng well bred lacEey, and
SC lnlmitably did he play his part that
! almost imagined myself the proprie-
tor Of q we'll appointed establishment,
instead Of a struggling young man
with no occupation and but four dol
lars and thirty-two cents in the world.
At length the bell rang and my but
Ter opened the door. 1t was sCarter.
He passed through the opening in the
portleres that the oi1sequious Branton
had made for him and was seated be-
4iIo r~o Af.~- 49, - -s-a.-4ASn. 80
Of the day had been exchanged he
glanced furtively toward the hall,
then whispered; "a new MANI"
YES" ] replied, enveloping my
self IN cigarette smoke to hide the
high coloring of my face. 81 got him
to-day"
"Hum!' he exclaimed. made
tcn-strlke at last, eh!
He referred to my getting ten
strike and n good servant on the same
dav, and thanked him, but before |
had an opportunity to 80 o4nto particu-
lara, for it was evident 1hat he was
cur Foua, l heard Branton open the
dod ana a confusion Of soft voices.
A I'd homent later / had affectionately
grceted nv amt and cousin, made my
obcisance to Miss Rosa Nell and ush
cred my guests to the room set apart
for them, for my butler had suddenly,
disappeared ard left this last duty to
me.
When I saw Rosa Nell in the full
glare OF the study lights [ forgot the
Inconvenience to which l had been
put, that to keep up appearances |
had been driven to deception. and |
was really honest in the thanks l
showerel on my aunt for the honor of
her coming. She was beautiful girl,
with tall, finely proportloned figure ;
dcep black hair and eyes, and q face
no feature of which was perfect, but
which as a whole, was mos5 attractive.
TO be frank again, Miss MelPs charms
wero further increased for me by are
mark myaunt made as | led her out to
dinner.
"Now, Frank, dear, mind your ps
and qs,' she whispered. "She's as
rich as Mrs Cresus, and the charm
ineest-it's the best word-g1rl l
know"
| sssThe nix you for your kindly interest,
aunt" replied in an undertone. In
louder voice I added, 81 am we'll
contented with my bachelor condi'
ton"
"And who wouldn't be in such q
| Jolly place." cried my cousin, as We
were seated, and her eyes scanned the
walls. covered with curios that Hol-
wood had gathered from every quarter
of the globe.
81 almost long to be bachelor -
Tint was as far rs Miss Nell pro
dressed, for as she was speaking her
eyes fell upon the butler standing be
hind nv cnair. She flushed, then the
color left her face and she stared a
him, nnconsciously Her confusion
was but momentary. She recovered
herself and with the greatest com
posure added: Eyes. it must be joll,
TO be q bachelor and live like this.
"Vandergust Is certainly an ez
trcmcly lucky fellow, cried Carter.
'.Are you murr;ed?' inquired II.
port cousin.
..Dear me. not Nevcr!" my frien'
exclaimed. "Now don't You think he
lucky fellow, Miss Mell?'
She thought that / was, poor girl
but did not have an opportunity 70
, learning her reason, for he engage
her attention with an extended ae
, count OF his idea o. my luck. Ny aun
. flowed off INTO long recital concern
/ ing the dulness OF life at Newport
which my cousin frequently inter
, runtei with expressions OF dissent c
approval. I responded with obs, at
! aud indeeds, and furtlvely watche
, Branton as he served the oysters. IL
usually ruiay face was as pale as n
: poyertv's, his hands trembled as h
; moved about at his duties, and b
: seemed stuliously 10 avoid the glance
/ OF the whole company. l wanted t
smile at HIM and il possible cheer hil
+, M with 4 wink, but he simply woul
I. not be winLei at.
! What a lovely butler Won have
! exclaimed Lyvla, as he lett the roo
for the third course. the roast he ha
! taken 50 much pains over, the pot
toes / hal cut my hands II pee.inl
the peas We had purchased n ca
Il