The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1864-07-06

room OF Norman Harts palatlal mansion
Dinner was just over, and three gentle
men, who were all acquaintances of Mel.
lies, were running the host on his known
preference for the pretty Nellie Hartley
Come, confsss,' said one; you have
made her an offer.
"Pooh nonesense!" 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, Lee!''
And from her name the conversation
glided into other channels, and Nellie
memory aided her in recalling various
rumors and stories of rioting and dissi-
patton, all confirmed by the conversation
now ringing in her ears. AS aneedote
and story few from lip to lip, she recalled
the tales kind friends had told her as
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 more 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 bedroom, neatly fitted up, took its
place.
Upon a low couch lay fair, pale gill
whose face was drawn with lines Of suffer
ing, and whose twisted limbs told Of the
frightful accident that had crippled her.
She was lying very still, with listless,
wearied expression; but as Nellie watched
the pale face frightened, and she raised
her head to listen. The door opened,
and the smile grew radiant as Godfrey
Churchman entered the room.
Dear, dear brother! |" This was the
greeting. With loving tenderness he
caressed her, and sat beside her, while
she wound his curls round her thin
fingers.
"Yeu are tired" she said, softly.
'sRather! [ am working so hard for
cur home, Mary u
"And Nsllie's?"
land Nellie, if she will share it l
wrote to- day to ask het if she would come
to Us for | can dare to begin now to fit
up a house. We must live quietly and
at first, but will work hard
that YOU ard Nellie shall have every
comfort"
"Ahl here comes our teal said Mary,
as the servant brought in small trav with
q service for two. II do enjoy y ar pref
ty present, Godfrey" -
"The tete-n -tets. Yes, it is very cosy"
And then Nellie bowed her head too,
as the young man, rising rsvently, asked
a blessing on the meal.
Two hours glided away, and still the
young girl fingered. fingered to hear
the brothers words of love fall on the
sufferers heart like music, to hear her
own name respectfully and aheetionately
uttered fingered to see the tender, pro-
tecting love of tue strong man soothing
his sisters lain by gentle changes of po-
sition; to see how carefully he studied her
face to read every thought; and, as the
room at last iH;l ed away, she stretcht'' ont
her arms to the noble man before her,
and woke with start in her own room.
The letters lay still before her, as they
we're when she fell asleep, and, as she
read them again, she recalled all that she
knew of the writer's. In vivid colors, her
dream had presented the by gone stories
Of Norman's dissipation, and Godfrey s.
high character, and she put aside the
tinted sheet to read again The words from
the heart of her true lover.
The little white winged messenger she
sent to the sisters care was opened and
read with bright faces and hearts ready to
lavish upon her wealth of love, while
Norman Hart tossed his into the FIRE with
a muttered curse.-PeterSon's MdQaztae.