Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1899-07-13

to allay the severity Of the disease. :,
The twin sisters we're badly marked,
Jane, not at ALL When she recovered,
from the illness which had showed
such malignant unkindness to her
friends in their old age, her lovely,
youthful face was more beautiful, soft,
and blooming than ever.
It was six months after tha. she
stood il Mrs Grays parlor, looking
OFT oi the window at the moonlight
falling on the lawn 1t fell; too:
Oh her own graceful figure in the
warm, crimson dress, and on the silky
curls of chestnut hair that dropped
over the forehead and around the lit
tie shell-like ears, lying in thick mass
at the back of the pretty, dainty head.
Sheswas chafmiue: Even Edgar Might
liav1 tlfddght that shd had SACRIFICED
none of the beauty requisite to a can
didate for the position of his wife.
He was not seen very often now in
his mutber's house. His business de-
manded close attention: aud he had
found it convenient to take rooms III
town. They were expecting one of
these infrequent visits to night.
Jane and he had often met since her
return to her aunt's house, but moth
ing of their past relations had been
alluded to by either She treated him
with perfect ftiendiness and good
fellowship, as one entirely justified In
his line of conduct; but at the least
hint of the old dictatorial manner
which previously she had listened to
with attention, she froze instantly,
disregarding his opinion with the
most complete Indifference. OF late,
there was certain air Of proprietor
ship in his manner towards her. and
even when it was shown in solicltude
for her comfort, she resented it with
pride and secret anger. She was
thinking Of this when he entered the
room this evening:
'Ah, Jennie, is that vou?' he said.
coming over to her; his hand
some face glowing from his rapid
walk through the frosty air. GLOW
very pretty you look in that red
gown After dinner, | want you to
come out bicycling will you? The
road is in splendid condition. and it's
bright moonlight, as you see"
"Tbanks, Edgar But l have prom
ised to read to Aunt Etlie.
Tut, tut She will not keep you
a prisoner this glorious night! You
would enjoy a spin!'
''Well, | don't care to co." she
said, walking towards the fire. I've
been out walking to day, and prefer
to remain indoors now"
Ho frounod, and bit his. nsta OH c.
However, he felt that he was treading
on delicate ground-and was careful
In consequence.
But won't you come to please
me?' he said softly you know [
can't get over very often, and i wish
it so muchN'
"Why should | do this, or any
thing else to please you?" she asked
coldly.
''Well, maybe you think there is no
reason now why we should wish TO
please each other. But there is,
Jennie | spoke hastily to Norman
about you, | confess; but then [ was
annoyed, you know. No harm has
come of what | did, and so we will
let things be as they were. will we
not? l love you still, dear, with all
my heart =
Jane did not even change color when
she turned her face to his
There is no love ii the matter. :"
she said quietly, land your heart is
IN nowise concerned.
He flushed hotly, but she raised her
hand to check his rejolnder Your
heart has nothing TO do with this
affair, she repeated. land I'm sure
mine has not Please do not think
nor speak OF il again, | could not
marry you, now. under any clrcun
stances that could be imagined"
You did not Judge your heart cor
rectly, then, in times gone by?' he
asked satlrlcally.
NO, she SAID, with quick blush.
Il was entirely mistaken, I might
never have discovered my mistake.
Edgar. if you yourself had no: showed
1t to me. We can be friends, now.
but nothing more
And later IN the evening. when
Edgar had gone back to town. cor
trary to his previous Intention. she
told his brother OF their interview.
And Edgar is really nothing to YOU
now Norman Gray asked, looking
searchlncly into her face.
Nothing wLatever.,' size said de.
cidedly
Have you never thought that yo.
may have been wrong IN w2thstanding
L,m:
Never ] went into thai danger
with my eyes Wide open. Iivou thin K
that | did not appreciate the risk. vor
ale mistaken. / an not ahaormall,
vain OF ny personal appearance, bu'
| can assure You | lid not cove. q FAC.
dlshgured by the small -po1' Norman,
hope You don; suppose that oppose,
Edgar out OF brayaio, or 70. the mere
sake OF opposition
Il never suppose 50 .or 3 moment.
ne said smiling into her troubled
9yeS