Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1901-10-24


dark and strangely soft, yet grave and
steady.
Lentran went forward and laid his
burden on her lap.
This is your child; have killed
him." he said simply His voice was
hoarse, almost choked. The woman
sat motionless, as II turned to stone.
The little girl burst lntoeloud sobs.
He didn't mean to. Oh! don't be
angry. He's all hurt and bleeding
himself.
The woman gave him a quick
glance, then bent over her child.
s'He. still breathes! He is alivev'
she exclaimed. ''The doctor
HE, is coming" Lentran said fee
hly; then sight and sound failed him,
and he stumbled forward and lay,
like one dead, at her feet.
Was it weeks, or months, when he
struggled back to consciousness? Jack
Romer, by his bedside, burst into a
sob, like a school boy, when he saw
Lentran's eyes open.
Eyes, you've been nearly dead, old
chap, but she saved YOU"
"The child?" Lentran gasped feebly.
"Oh! the little fellows oil right.
He'll be in presently
A short time after woman's arm,
strong and steady. but infinitely gen
tic, was put below his head, and
Woman's soft hand held something hot
and strong and Strengthening to his
lips.
"Drink this, it will do you good"
said the pleasant voice that seemed to
have haunted Lentran's dreams. .'YOu
will soon be all right; and my little
Don-oh! he Is quite well. He will
come and see you by-and-by.'
He did so, and sat staring at Len
tran with wide wondering eyes, till
his mother bore him away.
Lentran was in Woodbine cottage
for three weeks. Mrs. Rayne nursed
him as If he had been brother; and
Lentran dreamt every night Of those
large, luminous eyes and the smiling,
tender mouth.
afternoon Mrs. Rayne came in and
sat sewing in the room in which he
lay on a couch.
THE doctor says YOU are GONZALES
cent now," she said, laying down her
sewing, touch of nervousness in her
voice. $50 am going to tell you the
truth, Mr. Lentran. I have deceived
you. My name is not Rayne, but Mad
den. My husband was Mr.. Winthrop's
nephew. Since his death I have lived
here in my native village and taught.
II would have told you at first, but
the doctor forbade any excitement
A dark flush had risen to Lentran's
face. Mrs. Madden said gently:
"Have I been wrong in deceiving
you? If so, will you forgive me?'
Il have nothing to forgive. You
have been kinder to me than I de-
serve"
''Then let us be friends" she ex-
claimed eagerly. "Why not settle this
between ourselves-out Of court, as it
were?"
u0 AUSu Ou AcAlIdA . IdCt NCCp>
ened.
Are you in earnest, Mrs. Madden? =?
There is one way in which we could
settle it!''
At the look in his eyes her own color
rose, and her lips grew tremulous. He
caught her hand.
s.YOu are the best and sweetest and
kindest woman in the world, the only
woman in the world for me. I love
you; have never loved another wom-
an before. y I was a scoundrel
to dream of fighting the case. II you
will Motif you cannot-care for me,
shall give it up. Mrs. Madden
She raised her eyes. The look in
them thrilled Lentran.
"My name is Doris,'' she whispered.
Somehow she was nearer his couch;
somehow his uninjured arm was
round her. After a long silence, he
whispered: -
SIS it settled so then, Doris?" 4
There was low whisper. " :
"Seal the bargain, then"
And then and there the case of Len
| tran versus Madden was settled and
sealed.-American Queen.