The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-12-14

Kindly light in the clear and honest blue
o,,oe that looked into hers that Mr.. Sand
oTs had pledged to her both his friend
shin and his protection. But, after Sarah
rrIorton. the dearest friend that Zepher-
inc found in her new surroundings, was
Nan Darlington. Verging onto fourteen,
Nan was still child. 1t could be coldly
soid that she was no beauty; yet she
,,os lovely in her artlessness ind SIM
n1;c;tv. and was as graceful as some wild
thing fresh from the woods or fields. Her
face rlowed with health and high spirits.
aud was full of limitations of mischief
he tricksy as Ariel her hoyden ways
rbvmed true to mirth and innocence.
Nan was not always hot-foot in pur-
erit of fun and mischief. No, indeed!
rrbera were long hours when she would
sit and watch Zepherine a her 'broiGery
work And at such times it would have
been a wonder if Sarah Clopton and Mr..
sanders were not also engaged in watch
ing the deft fingers weaving the figures.
On one occasion. when Mr.. Sanders
was watching the fairy-like work, Zeph-
crime raised her eyes and cried: ''On,
they have changed my name! | think it
is too bad"
Nan who was also sitting near. smiled
family as she caught the eye of Mr.. Sand
ers. Eyes" she replied, your name is
Niss Johns. think it very pretty :
7 called you Miss Johns from the first"
"But Johns is not Dion; I think it is
cruel" protested Zepherine. "How will
nv dea. father know me as Miss Johns
"Wen, I'll tell you, honey" said Mr..
Sanders; "the way you pernounce the two
names makes EN- sound jest like they
was twins"
Zepherine hardly knew whether TO laugh
or cry; and before she could make up
her mind to do either Sarah Clopton,
who had heard a part of the CONVEX
sation. remarked that Mr.. Sanders had a
very bad habit Of changing names, and
she reminded him of the havoc he had
played with the family name of poor old
Peter Valicombe.
"Well. to my mind, Sarah. ! holp him
out'n mighty big difficulty" But it
was plain that he had little relish for the
subject.
The reference to the matter, however,
kindled the curiosity of both Zepherine
and Nan. and they insisted on knowing
all the facts in the case. Mr. Sanders
arose, cleared his throat, and said he be-
lieved he would go out and sec which
way the wind was blowing. Nan jumped
up and caught him. and made him sit
! down again, and he proceeded TO tell
them how the family name Of poor Peter
| Valicombe had been so changed that none
of the friends of his youth would know
/ him if they should meet him in the
road.
In 1853 Mr.. Valicombe was the only
! shoemaker in Harmony Grove, the little
/ town to which Shady Dale lies adjacent;
/ in 1870 he was the proprietor Of a shoe
/ and leather store there; and yet MIR.
Sanders could have said of him, az he
4 frequently said of Miss Johns, that there
was never any such person in Harmony
/ Grove The explanation is very simple.
| When Mr.. Valicombe went to Harmony
/ Grove. in 1853, the small tin sign that
/ hung over the door of his modest shop
1 bore this inscription: Pierre Bien-
+ venue, Boot and Shoe Maker The name
/ with its alien tang, attracted the atten-
4 ton Of Mr.. Sanders the verv day the
shoemaker began to ply his trade in the
! town Forthwith the humorloving Geor-
gian went into the shop and engaged in
I friendly conversation with the newcomer