The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1864-02-03

such dreams we're over when you put on
long frocks and turned up your hair, but
we are not qnite gone yet though locomo-
tives and electric telegraphs are running
our business. Come, my dear, and | will
help you to decide which il shal! be-"
Somehow, she scarcely realized how,
the little room faded away, and Nellie
found herself in the long dning-room of
Norman Harris palatial mansion. Din
ner was just over and three gentleman,
who were all acquaintances of Nellie's
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" 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, Leep
And from her name the conversation
glided into other channels and Nelle's
memory aided her in recalling various ru-
mors and stories of rioting and dissipa-
ton, all confirmed by the conversation
now ringing in her ears. AS anecdote
and story flew from lip to lip, she recalled
the tales kind friends had told her as a
warning, and shuddered at the future of
this mans wife. The evening shadows
were closing in, as the four men, flushed
and excited, rose from their wine to ad-
journ to the library. There cards were
produced, and the bet 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 bad done, and cosy
bedroom neatly fitted up, took its place.
Upon low couch lay fair, pale girl
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 istless,
wearied expression; but as Nellie watched.
the pale face frightened, and she raised
ber head to ltsen. The door opened, and
thesmile grew radiant as Godfrey Church
man entered the room.
"Dear, dear Brother" This was her
greeting. With loving tenderness he ca.
ressed her, and sat beside her, while she
wound his curls round her thin fingers.
You are tired" she said softly.
"Rather! / am working so hard for
our home, Mary"
And Nelle'sp
And Nellie, if she will share it. /
wrote to-day TO ask her if she would come
to us, for l can dare to begin now TO fit
up a house. We must live quietly and
economically at first, but l will work
hard that you and Nellie shall have eve
ry comfort"
"Ah! here comes our tea ~ said Mary,
as the servant brought in small tray
with a service for two. 81 do enjoy your
pretty present, Godfrey
"The tete.d d-tete. Yes, it is very cosy"
And then Nellie bowed her head TOO,
as the young man, rising reverently, ask
ed 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 suf-
ferer's heart like music, TO hear her own
name respectfully and affectionately ut
tered. fingered 10 see the tender pro-
tecting love of the strong man soothing
his sisters pain by gentle changes of posi-
ton; to see how carefully he studied her
face to read every thought; and, as the
room at last faded away, she stretched
out her arms to the noble man before her,
and woke with start in her own room.
The letters still lay before her, as they
were when she fell asleep, and, as she read
them again, she recalled all that she knew
of the writers. In vivid colors, her dream
had presented the by-gone stories of Nor
mans dissipation, and GodIrey'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 bis into the fire with
muttered curse.
MIcHIeAN.-The State Treasurer Of
n -. IL l.