Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1856-11-06

moment, and am greatly obliged to you, since
yon have proved thus inconsistent, for Offering
me an opportunity Of doing So Yours,
ELLEN GRAHAM.
In that brief note written the next day
my sister Nelly Stayed all the hopes Of
her future" | remember how she pressed
down her small throbbing fingers on the
paper, so that Edward Preston should
never dream that the hand which wrote
those cold words quivered, or that the
heart whose pride dictated them was
breaking!
Annie, my little pet sister, as I used
to call you, you will atleast not look cold
~ on me; tell me what it is that troubles
you2" said Nelly.
l had gone out into the woods a little
way from our house that fair May after
noon to have a cry all by myself. for sis
ter Nelly had been telling me that very
dayf that she was going home in a little
while. and when the long grass strayed
over her grave, | must be good girl to
father and mother. and take her place
with them, and at last we might all come
to her.
II was favorite haunt Of Nelly's that
little woodland bower, where the tall
trees leaned over. and, wrapping their
long arms together, formed dark green
wall through which the sun could not find
playing place. There, Edward Preston
came suddenly upon me! Had one risen
mp CHASTITY and sheeted from the dead.
| could not have been more startled, more
shocked
He advanced towards me, and then all
the wrong he had done to me and mine.
all the horror. all the loathing with which
| had grown to associate his name, rose
up to repel his approach, and, springng
up, answered hm-t Go away. go away.
vo4 pad wicked me.,L--X e4.s-sss;ssFFaaii nc:
fsesscits lie. 'sIso wrote that awful let
tcr-yoa who have killed mr sister Mel
lg! OH as mother says, YOU may 90 I'M
punished for season; but your sin will
surely find you out"
| stopped short, trembling in every
limb, utterly confounded at the auathema-
Using torrent which was issuing from my
lips. Edward Preston's eyes we're rivet-
ed in wild bewilderment on my face.
Il will solve this mystery if the AL
mighty grants me another hour of my
life" came, after momentary pause.
from between his compressed lips: he
turned suddenly round and walked in the
direction Of Our cottage.
& Nelly, Nelly-my beautiful, my be-
loyedt Oh! to End You once more, and
thus !" exclaimed Edward Preston, as he
entred my mothers bedroom. regardless
Of her presence, and sprang to the bed
side ofnly unconcions sister, for her phys.
zeal being was too weak to sustain the
-G5st shock Of his pfesence.
- The young man wrapped his arms
around her, and laid his head on her bo-
som. Nelly, darling!" he said in a
voice paihetically tender, "open those
brown eyes and look on me once more~-
There has been a long, dreadful shadow
between US. Look up, dearest, and tell
me you have been true to me as I have
been To you, in every pnlsation Of my
heart. Look up and tell me you did not
write that cold, cruel letter"
At the sound Of that beloved voice, Mel
ly's eyes Enclosed and roamed eagerly
over the gentleman's face. She opened
her lips. but no audible birth, for she had
not strength to give them utteranee.
" Mr. Preston" said my mother, and
her voice was very gentle, but very firm:
for the surprise and bewilderment which
Edward Preston's abrupt entrance had
momentarily occasioned were now van
ished; Mr.. Preston" before any further
communication takes place between my
daughter and yourself, / desire a private
44fitteiTTew with you in the parlor. The
mystery which surrounds your conduct
must be revealed. It may be we have
mutually suffered wrong Nelly, my
child, trust your mother" said she, for
she read the prayer in my sisters eager
eyes.
+" Yes, trust her Nelly. even as do, for
very gross injustice must have been done
both Of us,' said Edward Preston, as he
bent fondly over my sister for moment,
and then left the room with my mother.
" Nelly, my sweet girl, / restore him to
you, true and worthy Of your love as he
was when yon plighted him your truth, /"
said my neither as she returned to Nelly,
after half an hours absence, accompanied
by Edward Preston.
Oh an enemy has done this!p ejac-
ulated the young man, as he looked with
moarnful fondness on Nelly's thin pale
cheek, Curses on him. for the bloom be
has taken from those cheeks If could
only find him p he exclaimed, and his
brow darkened.
zlE engeance is mine, and I will repay.
Xaith the lord,'' came low and impressive
skgom my mothers lips.
y I Oh Edward, it is enough to feel that
you are here" said Nelly; to know that
lyon are true to mel can forget and
forgive all who have wronged US, now E
tAnd her thin fingers fioated among the
short brown curlS, and she smiled sweet
| ~ as her head was pillowed on the bosom
of Edward Preston. That night all was
revealed. That cruel letter which had