The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1864-11-23
WHICH SHALL 1T BE.
BY MARY E. CLARK.

that was bent over. two letters ponderlng
over the momentous question, and Nellie
Hartley's thoughts ran something in this
form: -ei
What noble, manly letter Godfrey
lChurehman writes, and how the protect
ing, tender love sparks in every line l
can see him now, as he wrote that letter
his broad shoulders bent, his large, white
hand tracing those clear, bold characters
and those great black eyes of his beam
ing with fervof and hope. He is not
handsome, not very talented, but SO true,
so good, that could put my hand in his
content to let him lead me, content to
obey, as we'll as honor him. But then he
has nothing but the small. fortune his
mother left him, and all of that is invest
ed in business then, too, he is so absob
cd in that little counting house; why,
even this letter has the business Envelope.
There's Mary, too; whoever marries God
frey, may calculate upon Mary for life-
long fixture, and she is so fretful and re-
pining. Poor Mary! it is hard for a
young girl to be shet up, for life, in one
room, and suffer such pain. That fright
full accident. l have shuddered of the
prospect of railway journey ever since.
Perhaps if she were in pleasant home,
with some one always near to chat with
her, she would beeome mere reconciled !;
but in that lonely room, in "a boarding
house, Godfrey away all day, and nobody
to speak to but the nurse, her imprison-
ment is hard to bear. will call often.-
Stay that will not do, unless 1 decide to
answer Godfrey's letter, as he wishes
If the other had not come just to-day
It is such beautiful letter, tinted paper,
graceful handwriting, and such lovely
seal, Norman Hart knows how to address
lady. Such easy grace in compliment
| ing, aud such poet:cal language are sell
dom written. He is so handsome, too,
with such a graceful bow, and so cour-
tious at all times. l never saw anything
houses and gardens, its superb furniture
and pictures, and his carriage and horses
are Just perfection. And he has invited
me-to preside over this lovely place, and
spend his large fortune offers me hand,
heart, and purse. o. what shall it be ?"
"Shall I help your"
Nellie started, for she had believed her
self alone but at her elbow stood small
figure. in bright dress, such as she had
read about, in fairy-ta!es, thousand
times.
"Shall help you? repeated the small
woman, in clear, silvery tone. II am
your fairy guardian Oh! yes, you tho
such dreams we're over when you put on
long frocks and turned up your hair, but
We are not quite gone yet, thoagh loco
motives and electric telegraphs are run
ming our business. Come, my dear, and
l will help you to decide WHICH it shall
be-"
Somehow, she scarcely realized how lit
tie the room faded, faded away, and Mel
lie found herself in the long dining rom
of Norman Hart's palatial mansion. Din
ner was just over, and three gentlemen,
who were all acquaintances of Nellies,
were running the host on his known pref
erence for the pretty Nellie Hartley
"Come, confess" said one, "you have
made her an offer.
"Pooh nonsense J" was the reply. "I
am not ready yet to put on the shacklcs !.
Bachelor liio suits me, though, of course
one must marry some time Pass the
wine, Leer r'
And from her nnre the conversation
glided into other channels, and Nelly's
memory aided her in recalling various ru-
mors and stories of rioting aud dissipa-
ton, all confirmed by the conversation
now ringing in her ears. AS anecdote
and story flew from lip to lip, she recall
ed the tales kind frieads had told her az
was warning and shuddered at the future
of this mans wife The evening shad-
oWs were closing in, as the four men
flushed and excited, rose from their wine
to adjourn to the library. There cards
were produced, and the bets grew heavier,
the talk moro reckless, till she turned to
her guide, sick and terrified and begged
to leave the scene, as she spoke the room
faded as her own had done, and a cosy
bar room, neatly fitted up, took its place
UIon low couch lay fair, pale girl,
whose face was drawn with lines of suffer
ing, and whose twisted limbs told of the
trightfnl accident that had crippled her.
She way laying very still, with listless,
wearied expression; but as Nellie watch
ed the pale face frightened, and she
raised her pale face to listen. The door
opened and the smile grew radiant as God
frey Cburchman entered the room.
"Dear, dear. brotherp' This was the
greeting. With loving tenderness he ca
ressej her, and sat beside her, while she
wound his curls round her thin fingers.
"You are tired" she said softly.
"Rather! 1 am working SC, hard for
our home, Mary J"
"And Nellie's?"
'And Nellie, if she will share it. I
wrote to-day to ask her if she would
come to us, for can dare to begin now
to fit up a house. We must live quietly
and economically at first, but will work
hard that you and Nellie shall have every
comfort" l-1
ntAh here comes our tea o. said Mary,
as the servant brought in small, tray
with service fer two. ~ do enjoy yoar
pretty present, Godfrey"
"The tete,g -tae. Yes it is very ccsy"