Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1899-08-17

'he twins. Don't fret. now, there's
q GEAR. 1t'll all come eight, see if it
oont. I'll write an advertisement
myself aud take it down to the news.
paper office this afternoon
80 Mr.: Marvell packed up hi.
sooqs and left, and Mrs. Hyde cried.
:. IL seems such pity" said she,
alter ten years,
Don't mind it, auntv,' said the
Courageous Patty. "I'm sure he must
oo selfish creature, or he never
would serve you SO
4 hardly month had elapsed when 4
sour vlsaaed woman came to the Hyde
house and requested an audience
VITA The mistress thereof.
You know Mr.. MARVEL, I sup
pose," said she.
II know Mr.. Phineas MARVEL. ]"
answered NJ RS. Hyde, with dignity.
"Well, it's all the same" retortcd
she OF the acidulated countenance.
Hes boarded at our house three
weeks and fonr days. He's down
with the small -pox
ooh, N.Y. calculated Mrs, Hyde.
"Poor, dear soul And who takes
care Of him?'
That's Just the very question:"
said the visitor. II can't I've got
my own family, as never has had the
smallpox. to think of-and the other
boarders ha. all cleared out, and the
doctor don know Of no one as would
be willing to undertake the risk
P'raps you could Gomez"
Mrs. Hyde visibly recoiled.
"N-no!' she answered. II would
rather not. AS you say yourself, it's
great risk to run, and
But Patty Smith, who had listened
/ in silence heretofore, stepped for.
/ ward.
''Ill so, aunty," said she, elf you'll
take care Of the twins. I have had
j the smallpox. / am not afraid of it. ="
"But, Patty, l thought you dis
liked Mr.. Marvell 50 much?"
Il did said Patty, with a smile
and shrug of ner shoulders. But
it isn't worth willie to think of that
now. He is sick, and solitary, and
he is a fellow creature. That is
enough. "
And Patty packed her little bundle,
kissed the peachy, unconscious
cheeks of the twins, and went on her
mission like new variety of Soeur
de Charlie
What Il disconsolate scene was that!
in the midst Of which lay Mr.. MARVEL,
tossing on q bed OF sickness. A fire
less CRATE; unlraped windows, through
which the sun beat with merclless
brilliancy: dust IN every spot on
which dust could possibly alight, and
pillow and bed linen week old.
'I'll soon set ali these matters
straight, said Patty, moving around
with the quick decision that was nat
ural to her. And within half an hour
the scene had assumed a more home
like look, even to the staring, uncon-
scious eyes of the delirious man.
''Who are you? An angelo he
asked, lowering his voice to whisper.
NO" she answered, smiling in
spite of herself I'm Patty
Don't leave me- he urged. "It's
50 dreadful to be left alone.
NO, +" she answered. Il won't
phineas Marvell lay Ill for month
and with slow recovery came a sense e
of all that Patty Smith had done for
him
III tell you what said the doc
tor, on the day that he made his last
professional visit. ''if it hadn't been
for Mrs. Smith, you would have been
snugy slowed away between four
mahogany boards by this time, my
friend.
Il know it., Mr.. Marvell answered
"Well, said Mrs. Hyde, when al
last Patty returned home and hugsed
the twins within an inch OF then
lives, Il hope the poor, dear gentle
man is better.
"Oh, he's all right now.' sal(
, Patty. ''Hes coming back to-mor
row or the next day. Is the room al
ready
All ready Mrs Hyde answered
Mr.. Marvell returned the next da,
and once more took possession OF hi
old quarters.
. "Nrs. Hyde" said he. with little
embarrassment, when that lady cam'
; upstairs to inquire his wishes IN re
gard to anv early tea. there some
thing |, perhaps, ought to mention I
you.
.Indeed, SIR said the wondering
Mrs Hyde. Nv hatIs that:
e TN going to be married. al
nouncel the bachelor. with lnflnit
. sheepishness.
Married. sir? You? Dear. dear
Q Then you'll be leaving ne again,
9 shouldn't wonder
Not necessarily, Mrs. Hyde.
, dare say yon aud my future wife W.
get along very comfortably together.
Indeed sir,
For I'm going TO marry-Patty.
.Pattv?" echoed Mrs. Hyde.
Yes, Patty
And how about the twins?' dt
handed the amazed matron.