Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1901-01-17

~ and gazed upon the sur
rounding scenery. Truly it
was worthy OF attention, for Mother
Nature had been very lavish in the dis
trubJtion of her beauties around Bar
toDtille, and Oh this October morning
tie hills and valleys were decked in
sll the gorgeous tints of autumn foli-
age.
Yet Aunt Eliza saw none of this; her
heart yearned for the kind husband
who had suddenly been taken from
her Hers had been a life of peace
and plenty, but now had come the
hardest OF all blows in her declining
years.
Years ago. when her only child died,
she took her brothers two little girls
to live with her, and for sixteen years
she 2nd her husband had taken the
PLACES of their dead parents.
! After Thomas Barton's death it was
found that there was little more than
the grand old house left to the widow
and she, whose first thought had al
ways been for others. was now griev-
Ing, not only for the dead, but because
she was 10 longer able to provide in
the old way for her two nieces.
Bessie Gardiner sat in an easy chair.
regarding her aunt with an unsympa-
thetic LOOK, when Beth came in.
We'll, auntie, how do you think /
iook:@ she asked, gayly turning from
SD: to side as if to invite criticism.
Very nice, but what does it all
mean:" asked Aunt Eliza.
can't you guess, dear? Look at this
dress and apron-this large shade hat
and this nice bright shining pail. I'm
going to pick cranberries. Come, Bes-
6e, are you coming"'
Beth Gardiner! What do you mean?
How dare you think of such thing
Flck cranberries, indeed! You shall
not disgrace us in this way. You
know that Gerard Dayton is to call
TINS afternoon cried her sister angri-
lF.
We'll. / suppose you can entertain
hlm' said Beth; then going to her
aunt, she threw her arm around her
neck and said earnestly.
Dear aunt, do you think I am in
sensible to all your goodness? You
nave been q mother to us since our
OWN mother died, and we never can
hal1 repay you. I realize that you
are no longer in position to do as
you have done, anG we must take our
tufn now. From this time, dearie
you are my special charge, and just
as l would take care of my own dear
aother, will gladly care for you.'
Aunt Eliza was deeply affected, and
returning Beths caresses, replied:
GOD bless you, my darling"
BESSIE regarded her sister scornful
" and asked:
AND pray, do you intend to support
'1e family by picking cranberries?
NO, DEAR quietly replied Peth. %
nave engaged to teach the village
scnool at salary Of S45O a year. No
large sum, l know, but it will kee1
Tie wolf from the door, auntie, and i
NAY be the beginning OF better things
~ was my secret. and have divulget
II sooner than intended. But l mus
nlahe haste OF l shall earn no dimes
.o-oay Good-by; better come Bessie
wait till you sec my wealth rolling in
wy. but you'll he envious." And gay
~ Kissing her hand to them both. sh
ulpped lightly down the path and wa
soon lost to View.
When she returned from her worl
late in the afternoon Bessie was seate,
vi the lawn with Gerard Dayton a
her feet. How cool and comfortab bl
she looked, and what a contrast t
heF OWL appc rance. Yet. 1T the sigh
VI her bright. rosy face. Gerard Day
'oi' countenance lighted UP with ur
Hiatakable pleasure.
Bessie noted this. and in a vote
Which plainly showed her dispositio
saiG:
&I2re is oul rustic maiden now. Nj
!aFt0n, what think YOU OF Beth i
he. new snhere:"
odi Zen gave !..ri 40 chance TO II
PE' S.i2 ulrst forth With:
Oh, it was great fun. Why, IL
A''!e things leyer looked so pretty ;