Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1902-04-10


graduated myself on my general i'm
provement. I never was rated a mod
est man.
One day I dressed myself carefully,
harnessed up my finest team and pre-
pared for journey. Helenette stood
at the door to see me off.
''Helenette," I said, "I'm going to
town. I may be gone week. may
be gone a month. During my absence,
you and John will keep the farm in
running order, and on my return hope
to introduce you to your future mis-
tress."
I clucked to the horse, without wait
ing for any reply from Helenette. To
my dying day shall never forget the
strange look that came into her face
| I gave it scarcely a seconds notice.
however, but dashed down the two
| mile road leading to the village.
| "Going to town, Neighbor Boiling
broker
| Looking over my shoulder, beheld
Mr.. Dayson, well to do farmer who
lived a mile below my own farm, COM
l
| beams of health irradiating his counte-
nance.
"Yes-1'm wife hunting" I said face
tiously, refining to one side that he
might pass.
"No, keep on; I'm not bound for the
Darts at the next corner. But, my
dear Bolingbroke, you have left the
woman you want behind"
"What do you mean?"
"Helenette's the wife for you. She's
economical, capable, and you're more
than half in love with each other.''
"Gammon! She thinks of nothing
but her work.
"Go back and find out if I'm not
right. Why, you ought to marry her!
She's helped to buy the farm
My neighbor drove on, leaving me to
ponder over his words. I remembered
the look on Helenette's face as I drove
away. What if it should be
"Hello! Can you tell me how far it
is to Gordon Bolingbrokes?"
I looked up to see gentlemanly
looking person standing in the road.
'Why do you wish to know?"
II want to see his housekeeper, Hell
enette Rathburne. Having decided to
take wife, intend to make her a pro-
posal."
l was dumfounded for minute; then
I said curtly:
"Gordon Bolingbroke's farm is just
one mile from here. Take the first
road that leads to the right. Good
day, sir"
1 touched my horse testify with the
whip, the result being that I found
myself in the ditch, my tie out of gear
my watch chain broken. For awhile
1 knew nothing. Then somebody
sweetly asked:
care you feeling better, Gordon?"
It was the voice Of Helenette-
Better? What's the trouble?''
Don't you remember being thrown
> from your team week ago?'
ooh, yes, I remember; but that was
J, only a few minutes since"
"You have lain here nearly sever
days."
"And where am 1, pray?"
'In your own house, in bed"
'In bed? What for? I'm going t,
:, get np."
Gordon listen. You are not your
= self. You received bad conclusion
% of the brain and have at times bee1
IT, violent. I had to have some one t
K take care Of you."
J. raised myself in bed; beside me sa
the man had met on the road.
& "What! You here?" I exclaimed.
eyes, begging your pardon, Mr.. Bol
N ingbroke. If I were not you nigh
~ now be dead man."
10 1t all began gradually to come bac
r. to me.
y II see you found my housekeeper,
I said significantly.
Il "Qh, yes"
,, "And have you proposed marr;ag
to her?
~ "No-I couldn't do that"
$ "Why?"
!. "She is my sister, told you la
w proposal to make. So had. But
e. wasn't what you thought"
~ stared first at one and then at tt
other. Helenette was smiling, b,
at looked at me earnestly.
"What mystery is this?' I exclaime
p, mo mystery at all. My sister ar
left our poor home some five yea
since to seek our fortunes, she goi1
ro in one direction and I in another, IL
lot agreement being that neither of I
m should wed until success crowned Of
efforts. Well, I am established
business, and came to ask her to he
me get my house ready for my futu
~. wife"
II am glad Miss Rathburne is 70
act sister,"
$50 am I. When you marry she W
come to live with me. That also W
tu- in the agreement"