Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1905-03-30

gaming AoI IoW&Io. A4HS 4*So young
fellow whom abe had truly tried to
help, began to show that she had real
ly done him good. That he saw the
wisdom Of not worrying, but loving
silently on, waiting patiently for the
end of that long year which. of course,
was bound to come.
And now he could really talk of
other things besides his own sad feel I
ings and the marvellous perfections of
Mabel. He seemed to take an interest,
for instance, in generalities about
women. He no longer held up Mabel
as a type or used her always as an
example. He could speak quite gen
orally, even If sometimes it was a.
little vaguely, about the fair sex; and
no more, as at first, did he forget his;
simple duties in the matter of flowers
and theatre tickets for the friend Of
his family who so often played his
hostess. In fact, he grew more nor
NAL, and Mrs. Frank felt she had only
done her duty when she had tried to
console and help such a very nice boy.
For there was no doubt about it,!
George was very nice boy. And a.
presentable, withal. Moreover, he had
all those little charms which never
fail to appeal to women Of any age.
air of reverence which comes only
from the heart of a very good or the
head of a very bad man. In Georges
case there, of course, was no question
which. Mrs. Frank had more than
once caught herself wondering if, had
she a son-but somehow, when the
wonder reached that point it failed
for want of interest That Georges
mother had brought him up very nice
ly, there was no denying. And he
made charming cavalier. Every de-
sirable touch Of polish, mingled with
plenty Of savoir faire, that yet had
nothing blase Or self-opinionated about
it. Really, sometimes, too, she half
wondered if Mabel were quite
The veranda was empty save for its
owner. She was having tea quite alone,
and was reading. Suddenly the cur
tain into the long room behind was
thrust back, and an excited, eager boy
entered.
Mrs. Frank, Mrs Frank he cried,
failing to greet her. "Oh, what do
you think? You will be so glad, l.
know. You have been so good. Ma
BEL
Mrs. Frank had listened so far
silently. Now she interrupted him.
There was a touch of impatience, al
most sharpness, in her voice. 1t was
no doubt irritating to be interrupted
in the middle of a truly reasonable
article, one might almost say treatise,
on the very latest method of removing
wrinkles
my dear boy" she said, 'sit down.
Have some tea. And now," as he
seated himself, gazing eagerly at her,
now" smilingly, "let us hear all
about it,
"It's all right he said, compre-
hensively.
Cali right? What is all right?"
''Mabel-me-'' ungrammatically.
Mrs. Frank had a strange sensation.
It was nothing very much. She just
felt as if the light had gone out sud
denly For a moment she was silent.
Then she mechanically and sharply
drew back the curtain that had until
then shaded her from the June sun.
1t blazed in and showed-showed with
what wisdom she chose her literature.
But George had prevented her finish
ing that treatise.
:'How lovely she said at last, quite
slowly.
"Oh, I knew you would be glad"
the boy cried, and he suddenly dropped
on one knee beside her, and taking up
her hand, very gently put it to his
lips
MRS. Frank, you have been awful
ly kind" he said, and his eyes filled
again with look of feeling that took
her back to the station yard at Vic
toria. WAS that only six months
ago?" she wondered
: Presently he went, leaving her with
paean of Mabel ringing in her ears
She left the veranda, walked through
the long drawing room into her bed
room behind. Up to the glass she
went Great tears were falling down
her face. They riddled the pretty pink
| Of her cheeks that looked so fair and