Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1897-12-02

lA%ee-and-twenty was Anna Ea1r
when she went out to Australia IN h,
''Petrei. > At three -and-thirty "a,
was Anna Edgar still. and the '.Petrel
was steaming towards England viii
James Darlington on board.
1he little house in Oxford Road he I
proved CHEEKY home during thes.
ten years 70 two busy and therefor
| happy women. Josie had tended y
lnyalld TO the close Of her pilgrimag,
and now aided her young daughter il
the superlntendence OF the households;
Anna had stepped into the place tha.
Georgie left vacant, and had become
famous through the neighborhood as
teacher Of elocution Her romantic
| story, instead of covering her with
contempt as she expected had
brought her hosts Of svinpathizers and
admirers. Life had prcspered with
the sisters, and they could now afford
to work leisllrely if they chose.
On a day in August, Anna Edgar was
taking decided holiday. George AMI
her babes hal just left after one Of
their frequent gleeful visits, and she
was resting III preparation Tor the next
event. Her music was opcn or the
piano, and her blotting- book on the
writing table; but her attention was
wholly taken up with certain patterns
OF laces and silks an1 yelvets that y ere
spread before her. She was evidently
choosing dress or dresses for some
| important occasion, and she fingered
oae pattern after another with llnger-
/ ing care. Anna ha6 always been hand
some, bu1 she VAS handsomer now
/ than ten years back, and to-day. with
az expression OF gentle contentment
upon her face, she looked particularly
we'll. She was so entirely engrossed
III the train of though. with which the
silks and laces were associated that
she did not notice the sound OF foot
steps coming through the garden and
started when Mary ushered into the
room "a gentleman to speak to you.
Miss Anna With Il flush of surprise
on her beautiful face. she turned to
encounter her Old lover James Bar
rington.
There is some mistake, I think, .
she said, drawing herself back haughtily
after the first shock of astonishment
had passed. You can scarcely have
wished to see me
''There is no mistake,' answered
James. Il have come across the world
for that purpose. They tell me you
are still Miss. Edgar.
.-rl.ao 1f.A.f~1lrJ t'-,-.,.,s'r r,ss'
to see what concern it is of yours
now" she cried with emphasis
Il have come across the world, as
said, to seek you ont, and ask if yoy
have forgiven ne for what 'appenel
ten years ago. Anna? This is my only
child, he said, pointing to 4 little Glr
in mourning fcocl1, who hung shy,
behind him.
Anna looked curiously at the chilt
Of the woman VINO had supplanted her
She bore a softened resemblance t
her mother, but in her face was
strange expression indicative Of Ann
| knew not what.
t Indeed" said Anna, and pause
| inquirineiy.
Il nave brought her with me, ra
s;;mel James: she is al [ have.
, Is almost two years since she lost lie
) mother
: And yon probably wish her to i
t educated IL England. | ana sorry !,
/ hear Of your loss; II is q grea, charg
a to he left rith 50 young a child t
t train.
Anna was aware that she spoke s,ifiI
r and inlitferentIy. bat she was still !;
. the dark IS 10 the meaning Of the prs
= cnt interview. AMI She resented wl.
/, she looked upon as M unwarrantaD,
4 intrusion.
II I brought her with me becar
|. couIl not 10 without the only crea II
! have belonging to me, and. besides.
want = show her 70 al English doeso
!, Anna, vou do know what my loneli g
e Is. AMI how i'll can bear to he alon.
- / never coula hear 10 be by myself.
wa that tha. brought about what yo
r must look on as my treacnerv toNar
$. Won. You know how / urged you
rs come out to ME, aal how you woUl
stl! wait till I could come 70 fete
II Won. It was too lonely, and thel
III lnct with Jessie She told vol 8
n abou. il: she was good 10 me al
r. married her. Then Won came ont.
- months 100 LATE. aui j. broke i
= heart. Anna for ii vas vo1 Away y
=. !ov5d
in .H1sh exclaimed Anna, aga
be IS hc ealel with - @ppe2' Il !
- v,ise. TINS IS scarcely : tit t4l.