Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1864-12-01
yyzzkCgg SHALL M BE.
BY MARY Z. CLARK.


1t was a troubled face with knit brow,
that was bent over two letters pondering
over the momentous question, and Nellie
Hartley's thoughts ran somethingoin this
form.
What a noble, manly letter Godfrey
Churchman writes and how the protecting
tender love sparks in every line | can see
him now, as he wrote that letter his broad
shoulders bent, his large, white hand tracing
those clear, bold caracters and those great
black eyes Of his bcaming with fervor and
hope. He is not handsome, not very talent
ed, but 50 true, so good, that | could putmy
hand in his content to let him lead me, con
tent to obey, as well as honor him. But
then he has nothing but the small fortune
his mother left him, aud all Of that is in
vested in business then, too, he is SO alb
sorbed in that little counting house; why,
even this letter has the business inyGlope. -
There Mary, too; whoever marries God
frey, may calculate upon Mary for lifelong
fixture, and she is 50 frctful and repining. -
Poor Mary it is hard for u young girl to be
shut up for life, in one room, and suffer such
pain. That irightiul accident | have
shuddcrcd OF the prospect Of a railway
journey ever since. Perhaps if she was in
pleasant home, with some one always near
to chat with her, she would become more
reconciled but in that lonely room, in a
boarding house, Godfrey away all day, and
nobody to speak to but the nurse, her I'M
prisonment is hard to bear. will call often.
Stay that will not do, unless [ decide to
answer Godfrey letter, As he wishes. If
the other had not come lust to day. 1t is
such beautiful letter, tinted paper, grace
tnl HANDWRITING, and such lovely seal -
Norman Hart knows how to address lady.
Such easy grace in complmenting, and such
poetlcal language are seldom written. He
Is SO handsome, too, with such a graceful
bow, and 50 courteous ut all times. | never
saw anything so beautiful as his estate, with
Its lighthouses and gardens, its superb fur
niture and pictures, and his carriage and
horses are Just perfection And he has in
vitcd me--tO preside over this lovely place,
and spend his large lortunc; offers me hand
heart and purse. "Oh! what shall it be?'
shall help you?
Nellie started, for She had believed her
self alone but at her elbow stood IL small
figure, in a bright dress, such rs she had
read about, in fairy tales, a thousand times.
Shall | he'll YOU ~ repeated the small
woman, III IA clear, silver tone. 81 am your
fairy guardian Oh yes, you thought such
dreams were over when YOU put on long
trecks and turned mp your hair, but we are
NV 'lulA' FbllN AtAf illbhEt LOCOMOTIVES anu
electric tclcgraphS are running our business.
Come, my dear, and | viii help you decide
which it shall be-
Somehow, she scarcely realized how little
theroum faded, faded away, and Nellie found
herself in the long dining room Of Norman
Hart paIaual mansion. Dinner was Just
over, and throe gentlemen, who were all ac-
quaintanccs Of NeIlics, were running the
host on his known preference for the pretty
Nellie Hartley.
Come, confess" said one "you have
made her an offer
Pooh nonsenyo!' was the reply. 81
am not ready yet to put on the shackles !
Bachelor life suits me, though, Of course,
one must marry some time Pass the wine,
Lce!'
And from her name the conversation
glldcd into other channels, and Nellie ;
memory aided her in recalling variousrumors
and stories OF rlotlng and dissipation, all
confirmed by instrumentation now ringing
III her ears. As anecdotc and story flew
from lip TO lip, she recalled the tales Kind
friend had told her rs n warning and shud-
dcred AT the future of this man s wife The
evening shadows were closing in, rs the foul
men, flushed and excited, rose from then
wine TO adjourn to the library There card,
We're produced, and the bets grew heavier,
the talk more reckless, till she turned to hel
guide, sick and terrified and begged to leave
the scene. As she spoke the room faded us
her own had done, and II cosy bar room,
neatly fitted up, took its place.
Upon low couch lay II fair, pale girl,
whose face wa drawn with lines ofsullcring,
and whose twisted limbs told Of the lrighttul
accident that had crippled her She was
laying very still, with litlcSs, wcaricd eX
preston; but Nellie watched the pale face
Frightened and she raised her pale face to
listen. The door opened and the smile grew
radiant as Godfrey Churchman entered the
room.
Dear, dear brothcrr' This was the
greeting, With loving tenderness he cares
sed her, and sat beside her, while she wound
his curls round her thin fingers.
You are tired she said softly
Rather! am working 50 hard for our
home, Mary!
And Ncllio's?"
And Nellie, il she will share it. ! wrote
to-day 70 ask her il She would come to us,
for can dare to begin now to fit up house.
We must live quietly and economically at
first, but | will work hard that you and
Nellie shall have every comfort.
'Ah, here comes our tea " said Mary, n
the servant brought in Il small tray with q
service for two. II do enjoy your pretty
present, Godfrey.
"Thc tde-utcte Yes it is very cosy :"
And then Nellie bowed her head, too, a.
the young man, raising reyerently, asked 4
blessing ON the meal
Two hour- gllded away, and still the young
girl fingered. fingered TO hear the hrot her ,
words OF love fall on tho sufferer heart like
music 10 hear her own name respectfully and
atiectlOnatcy uttered fingered 20 see the
tender, protecting love Of the strong man
soothing his sister pain by gentle change,
of position; to see how carefully he studded
her face 70 read every thought and, as th,
room at last faded away, she stretched ou,
her arms to the noble man before her, am,
woke with start in her own room.
The letter, lay still before her, as the,
were when she fell asleep, and, rs she rea,
them again, she recalled all that she kne,
OF the writers. In vivid colors, her dreal
had presented the by gone stories of Noi
mans dissipation, and Godlreys hig
character, and she put al lie the tinted shee
20 read again the words from the heart of he
true lover.
The little white winged messenger sb
sent to the sister care was opened and rca
with bright faces and hearts ready To LAWS
upon her a wealth of love, while Norma
Hart tossed his into the fire with muttere