Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1901-05-16
! UT, Bella, you can't pos
sibly be thinking of Civ
} ing up Paul because of

x sibly be thinking of Civ.
ing up Paul because Of
this misfortune? You don't
really mean to break your engage
ment: I can't believe it Of you; it is
too heartless."
Nora Clayening spoke Indignantly.
her cheeks flushed, and her dark eyes
turned angrily on her sister.
They were wonderfully alike as far
as height, build and features went. but
their coloring was different
Bella was fair, with light, golden
hair, and forget-me-not blue eyes.
while Nora's eyes were blue, too, but
almost violet in hue, and her hair was
the shade of ripe chestnuts, and her
skin less dazzlingly fair than her sis
ter's Their voices again had mar
velous resemblance; it seemed as IL
the same person were speaking when
the one ceased and the other spoke.
They were twins, which accounted for
the strong physical resemblance that
they bore each other, but their char
acters were the very opposite, and
their tastes also.
Bella stood moodiIy by the fire
shifting the little ornaments on the
mantlepiece with restless fingers.
Her sister continued: 'Tou wrote
me such glowing letters of Paul, CIV
ing me to understand he was every
thing that was perfect, and now"
''Now he is not so; that's ALL in
terrupted Bella, fippantly. "How can
be expected to marry a blind man?
,5n1se- thing is impossible: ha went :way
full of hope that this wonderful Ger
man oculist would cure him; now, you
see"-holding out letter-''he writes
telling me he has returned totally
blind. and with little hope of ever re-
gaining his sight, and begs that will
go and see him as soon as possible
How can I? What am l to say?"
what are you to say?' passionately.
"Why, that you will marry him as
soon as possible; that you will be eyes
to him now, and by your love and care
will try to compensate to him for the
terrible loss of his sight," answered
Nora.
What pity it wasn't you instead
OF me to whom he was engaged. It's
no use, Nora, the thing must be at an
end, and what want you to do is to
go and break it to him. If you won't,
L suppose must write, for it's no use
my seeing him; can't do that, it
would only mean a painful scene,
which may as well be avoided" and
Bella gave an impatient kick with her
daintily-shod foot to a coal that had
fallen from the bars.
Il break it to him? But he does not
know me; you forget I've not been
home week." demonstrated Nora.
'That doesn't matter; he knows you
from your letters, which he was al
ways interested in, and said he
thought you must be charming. You
must do it, Nora; you have tact and
can soften the blow, for he'll feel it
pretty badly, I'm afraid; still, how can
ne expect any girl to marry him now?
Fancy being tied to a blind man! oh,
couldn't face such a future" pa
You are cruel as well as heartless,
and I'm sorry for the man who mtlrries
you. Yes. will go, and I'll do my best
for him. l must ask for his sister,
suppose; she lives with him, doesn't
she !" demanded Nora.
Eyes, she is faded and forty, and ca
PRECIOUS, but not bad sort, although
she never took to me, but was only
civil for her brothers. sake, whom she
adores. What are you going to say?,
Heaven knows!' CALCULATED Nora,
fastening her sailor hat on with a jet
pin.
We'll, do it gently" called her sister,
as the other girl opened the glass door
leading into the garden and started
on her thankless errand. "a
She might have shut the door"
muttered Bella, with a shiver. How
cold it is for May" she said, ais she
closed the glass door and turned back
70 the fire. She drew a low chair close
up to the fender, and, stretching out
nef hand for new magazine, was
soon Immersed in the contents of an
interesting article on coming fashions.
y
,,r "lll you go in and see him at once?
NE news you bring is only what I
oApected; your sister never really
aa aleu ror Paul; she thought she did,
-, au aumlred him, and was flattered by
us LIS attentions, but there was no real
e rn You have painful task before
th.t Hu' 10 your best to comfort him, if
'hat be possible"
mo4;o au MISS Beresford turned away,
u,ou.lonlng WIZ Nora to enter the room
''e faul Beresford was seated. He