Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1904-06-16

bear to part with it don't see. I'd
work my fingers to the bone before I'd
sell it to strangers"
Sir Roberts face turned scarlet and
he rose, jamming his hands deep in his
pockets.
''It is-that is, T. he stopped and
began again: "Your father has been
good enough to say that if he ever
wants to sell he will give me first
chance to buy it back. I Couldn't
like even that slight hope"
Miss Dunn put her elbow on her
knee and her chin in her hand and
stared at the floor. Her face now was
SCARLET, and she frowned
II hope you won't mind if say that
T." he said, 'that it's the pleasant
est part of the whole affair to think
that you are here and that you will be
the one to-as hope you will-to set
the clock going and to keep it wound.
It will be very pleasant thought to
me when I'm in Africa. The incest
thought
care you going to stop it," she
asked in a whisper.
"Yes," he said simply, and she rose
and stood before the open door looking
down at him.
''I'd rather you wouldn't" she said.
'But I-Well, you see, can't explain
it, but, feel as if couldn't let it go
on as if for me-"
II can't think'-she turned her head
away as he stepped to her side-"of
it's ever going on for any one else
I couldn't stand its ticking if started
it. Don't you see? It would be re-
proach. But if it goes on as it always
has for you I should somehow think
that you always had the hope of COM
ing back and-and-of course I
wouldn't keep the place from you"
''If I did," he said, slowly, "and
drove you away, am afraid that
wouldn't like it. l should see the
ghost of you in every room. Besides,
it's nonsense" he broke out abruptly,
chat hope. You will be married and
there are years to look forward to-
Miss Dunn put her hand on his arm
as he extended it toward the pen
dulum.
II am afraid that you have'a proud
| and naughty spirit" she caught her
| breath. II don't think that-I'm sure
| that there's no chance from the way
| things are going that I shall be mar
| RED" She began to laugh nervously.
won't you please let me have the po-
sition of steward of the clock ?''
| Doh +,
hand from his arm and held it firmly
Il think I told you that didn't want
| to see you again. If could have held
this place and wasn't a poor beggar
there is just one thing that could
have desired, and that is to have
Well, you see you are going to live here
after all, though. I haven't any right
to tell you this. It's cowardly to take
advantage of your sweet kindness
But I couldn't help it. That's why
was afraid to see you. God bless
you"
He kissed her hand solemnly, ani
feeling it shake looked at her to fine
that she was laughing silently.
81 beg your pardon" he Strengthened
and dropped her hand. II knew tha
was a fool, but you needn't rub i
in that way"
"What do you think that you'v'
said?' she asked with gasp.
ooh, merely the trivial jest, I dar
say. I suppose that it is because an
too English, but can't see why it's s.
awfully laughable. I never had a gir
laugh before because said I love,
: her,
Indeed! How many have you tol,
that fancy to?' she retorted indig
nantly.
II don't know. It doesn't matter
never wanted to marry them Thre
it was I take it. II
"But you didn't tell me that sh
expostulated, flushing.
II did, and you must have known il
anyway
Miss Dunn softly closed the c1oc
, door, locked it and removed the key.
II suspected,'' she said, "a littl.
5 That's why I made Dad come here t.
day"
"You don't mean" Sir Robe,
> started.
II mean,' said Miss Dunn, movin
with dignity down the steps, "that
should consider it sacrilegious to tax
l that clock out of the family. Besides
don't think Africa is necessary. Da
said it wasn't, for he has a bette
Z scheme"
Then, as far as either was concernet
{ the Mayhem clock was stopped, {
{ least Mr.. Dunn was heard to stat
that 13Those tomfool young folks hay
no sense of the value of time"-Ne,
York Globe.
l -zi--