Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1860-08-09

. w hdb "uob w uonD no Wtfi Dt
idone at once" as Aunt Mary says. We
will walk down to the glen, and wait for
you there"
Amidst a trio Of mirthful cachinatons,
Nellie arose. while her own musical laugh
echoed that Of her young companions;
and with her eyes brimful of mischief,
bent her steps toward the house; while her
friends with many merry glance after
her, started for.the glen. 'in7 If.aa.fs r
'Pausing moment in the hall to com
pose her bright face to becoming degree
of gravity, Nellie entered the pleasant,
shady parlor, where Archer Clayton was
seated alone. In spite of her Wanted
hardihood, her heart beat quickly as the
long dark love.eyes were raised to hers,
and those clearest of manly tones said.
GOOD morning, Miss Nellie." d oH.
"Good morning, SIR" returned Nellie
seating herself opposite to him. t'
/ "four company is an unexpected,
though most welcome pleasure, said Ar
cher, with bright smile, which illumin-
ed and glorifcd his thoughtful face.
'''No doubt" responded Nellie. And
then with PREDATORY "ahem!" she went
on saucily: Tr1o9 Il s Isr
''My dear Mr.. Clayton, your many at
fractions of personal character have in
delibly impressed my heart, and, this be-
ing leap year, avail myself of the privi-
lege it accords my sex--and offer you
my hand, my heart and my fortune
which latter is immense, when yon con-
slider that am fortune of myself" 49,
The recipient of this remarkable declar-
alton first flushed deeply, then, became
very pale; but finally, couqueripg his
emotion, replied, with roguish light in
his dark blue eyes, and an arch expression
4 on his handsome face: ..,sao ~ -..i.r
"My dear Miss Nellie, words would
fail to express the depth of my gratitude
Tor the inestimable honor you have con-
ferred upon me, and were i sure that your
love for me alone dictated it there his
voice faltered, in spite of bimself.)
should delightfully."- accept your offer, but
fearing that other motives---your love OF
mischief, for instance have inhuenc-
4 ed You, l must beg week for considera-
ton, ere return an answer" ...
Nellie's brown eyes dilatel with won.
der, and her confusion was pitiful to be
hold, she had not expected anything like
this retort---she had not doubted that HI
would fee her presence as soon as sh,
concluded her rash speech. -... col.
"Pray excuse me, Miss Nellie!'' sale
4. Archer, in melo-dramatc tone. Th,
excitement of this unexpected interview
has been too much for my nerves and
must seek to calm them in the solitude
Of my own apartment Remember thi
day week (next Thursday will be read.
with my final answer" And, with
profound bow, he left the room.
Burying her burning face in her hand
Nellie sobbed aloud, in her modification
and distress-ahl distress; for at that mo
ment, she could not conceal from hersel
that she did love Archer Clayton; and the
thought that she had forever forfeited hi'
respect and esteem, was truly source o
distress; the knowledge that she hat
caused him pain gave another pang to the
warm heart, though proud and merry
girl.
When she rejoined the young compan
ions in the glen, it was with a low step
and such serious face as they had never
before known the widest and maddest o
their number to wear.
"Why, what is the matter, Nellie?
called out Maggie. II never saw yor
with such sober visage in all my pas
experience
"Hrsh your nonsense. will you?" re
torted Nellie, spiteiully.
$50, no! Nell is sharp; Mr.. Clayton
must have declined her hand!" laughed
Alice.
II don't imagine the existence of tn,
unimpressible monster who would decline
the hand of our queen Nellie!' said Liz
zie, rising, and putting her arm arount
her friend. "Now tell me, pet, what il
it!'' she continued, coaxingly.
Il have made fool of myself, that
all )" replied Nellie. 81 wish that proud
hateful, conceited Archer Clayton ha'
/; been in Jericho before ever | saw him
r And l wish you were all at the bottom o
5 the Red Sea instead of being here to pu
| me mp to such crazy trick!'
: A burst of laughter from Maggie ant
: Alice greeted this TRADE: and even Lizzie
l who was trying to soothe the lfrltate
: girl, could not repress smile, f.
did you propose to him, sure enoug
: Nell?" inquired Alice, teasingy.
t eyes, l did!-the more fool IL" snap
| ped Nellie. -
n "What did he say, Nellie?" pursue
= Maggie. .aa
!, "None of your business!" was the re
y ioinder, followed by another burst
e laughter.
: All the following week Nellie avoide
II Archer Clayton as much as possible
!! spending the greater part OF her time
e her own room. In due time, as all Thur
$. days do. the appointed Thursday role
,e round All day Nellie had kept her roo
,r pleading a headache; but in the evening
while the family were at tea, she sto
h. down stairs, and out to little arbor IN
secludedpart of the garden. Seating ne
er self on the floor, and resting herself on t
TO bench, she suffered the evening breeze
re toss the brown curls and fan her fever
ne temples. Our bright Nellie had chang
m wonderfully in one short week; her Inc
lie ry ringing laugh was no longer hea
echoing through the house, and, inste
,u of her former quick and dancing step,
re- now moved listlessly and noiseless
i'll about. The once mischief-srarkling ey
." were dim with weeping; and the roses h
al ro,, tha cbaaks now brushed bY [