Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1901-05-16
A Pardonable Deception,

" - ~ - ~ ~ ~ e
was quite alone, sitting by the fire,
It looked odd to see no papers on the
table beside him. He heard the soft
rustic of the woman's gown. and
turned his sightless eyes in her direc.
ton. He was an extremely handsome
man; his features almost perfect, and
MS dark-brown eyes had not vet be-
come vacant and expressionless. Nora
faltered out some words of sympathy
and compassion, and his face lit up at
the sound of her voice; he rose and
felt his way to meet her. $50 you
have come, and SO quickly; how good
OF you Bella! Come here, dear, and
let me feel your hands in mine. Oh.
my darling, if I have you I can bear
this terrible blow. Your love and
sympathy and sweet faithfulness are
more than sight to me,'' he said, in a
voice that shook little with emotion,
and then, before Nora could answer
him, she felt his arms round her and
his lips pressed against her own.
sometimes love steals into woman's
heart step by step; sometimes it comes
with a sudden leap. With that kiss
and passionate embrace Nora's. heart
gave great throb, and her pulses beat
with strange, overwhelming passion.
When she drew away from the shell
ter of his arms her face was crimson.
her eyes full Of tears, and she was
trembling violently. He had mistaken
him?
Miss sBeresford sat in her drawing
room waiting, and wondering greatly
when half an hour went by and Nora
had not returned. She went into the
hall and listened for a moment, think
ing, perhaps, the girl had left with
out seeing her again, but she heard
voices, and, stranger still, the sound
of a laugh fell on her ear. Paul was
actually laughing, and it was a natural
laugh Of pure gladness.
Marcia Beresford went back to her
room greatly puzzled. Another half
hour passed and then she heard the IL
brary door open, and the voice, so
much like Bella's, saying, eyes, will
come tomorrow, quite early, by ten
O'Clock, and will read to you as long
as you like. Now, you are not to get
downcast while I'm gone. Oh! do YOU
really want me to say good-by again,
but l shall never go!' Then there was
the sound of her skirts fluttering
across the room again, and few min
utes afterwards she reappeared in the
drawing-room with flushed cheeks.
eyes bright with tears, and trembling
lips.
My dear, I don't understand" ex-
claimed Miss Beresford. The gul
closed the door, and then flung herself
on her knees beside the elder woman's
chair. Il ae a s4@
"Oh, what have I done! What have
[ donew she sobbed. g
What! What have you done?" cried
Miss Beresford, more and more mysti-
! fed by her visitors manner.
Il could not tell him; it was so sud
den; he thought he thought I was
Bellav' A
"Bella! Oh, I see; understand"
And comforted him.. made him
forget his misery. because he thought
Twas Bella. Oh, Miss Beresford, what
am I to do?"
A, flash Of hope came into Marcia
Beresford's worn face.
2 "Could you go on with it?" she
asked, in a low voice
What do you mean?' and Nora
looked up, bewildered
Go on being Bella" was the reply.
but he must know sooner or later"
"Yes, but if it be later. he will have
grown to love you so much that he will
never regret the real Bella, but will
love the false one better. Think of
how dreary his life will be without
you.s and the, difference your love and
care will make to him. A wife is so
different from sister. It is true. 1
am urging you to choose life of self
sacrifice
"Self-sacrifice! Oh, no! It wouldn't
be that" murmured Nora. SO
"Then, you will come again to-mor-
row."
eyes, will Gomez was the answer.
And so the days slipped by, and
Nora became everything to Paul Beres-
ford, and no one but his sister knew
Of the strange deception that was be-
ing practiced. The real Bella was
glad to get her freedom, and chaffed
her sister about her daily visits as
reader to the blind man. 81 4 ~
'Who knows? You might console
him after all. Nora" she said, one
day, jokingly.
more unlikely things might happen,
certainly" was the reply.
Nora was cutting some roses to take