Weekly Trinity journal., 1867-02-02
WEEKLY TRINITY JOURNAL.
COURT TERMS IH IBINl1Y.
Nellie Hartley's Choice.
Dr MARY Z. CLARK.

Nellie Hart1ey's Choice.
DIT MARY Z
It was troubled face, with knit brow, that
bent over two letters, pondering on the momen-
tous question: and Nellie Hartleys thoughts ran
something in this form
"What a noble, manly letter Godfrey Church
man writes, and how the protecting, tender love
speaks 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 char
acters, and those great black eyes of his beaming
with fervor 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 love and honor him.
But then, he has nothing but the small fortune
his mother left him, and all of that is invested in
business then, too, he is so absorbed in his lit
tie counting-house why, even this letter has the
business envelope. There's Mary, too whoever
marries Godfrey may calculate upon Mary for a
lifetime fixture, and she is so fretful and repin-
ing. Poor Mary il is hard for young girl to
be shut up for life in one room, and suffer such
pain. That frightful accident have shudder-
ed at 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 be-
come more reconciled but in that lonely ROOM
in a clearinghouse, Godfrey away all day, and
nobody to speak to but the nurse, her imprison-
L
that will not do, unless decide to answer God
frey's letter as he wishes. If the other one had
only not come to-day. 1t Is such'a beautiful let
ter, tinted paper, graceful penmanshp, and such
lovely seal. Norman Hart knows how to ad-
dress lady. Such easy grace in compliment
ing, and such poetical language, are seldom writ
ten. He is so handsomey too, with such grace
ful bow, and always so courteous. | never saw
anything so beautiful as his estate, with its hot
houses and gardens, its superb furniture and pic
lures, and his carriage and horses are just per-
fection. And he has invited me--little me to pre-
side over this lovely place, and spend his large
fortune offers me hand, heart and purse Oh
which shall it be ~
Shall help you?'
Nellie started, for she had imagined herself
alone but at her elbow stood small figure in
bright dress, such as she had read about, in
fairy tales thousand times.
Shall help you?" repeated the little woman
In clear, silvery tone. al am your fairy guar
dian. Oh, yes you thought such dreams were
over when you put on long frocks and turned up
your hair, but we are not gone yet, though loco
motives and electric telegraphs running our
business Come, my dear, and will help you
to decide which it shall be-
Somehow, she scarcely knew how the little
room faded, faded away, and Nellie found herself
in the long dining-room of Norman Hart's pala-
tial mansion. Dinner was just over, and three
s.,
running the host on his known preference for
the pretty Nellie Hartley.
g Come, confess" said one "you have made
her Offer
"Pooh nonsense y was the reply 81 am
not yet ready 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 rlided in
to other channels, and Nellie memory aided her
in recalling various rumors and stories of rioting
and dissipation, all confirmed by the conversa-
tion now ringing in her ears. The evening shad-
ows were closing in as the four men, flushed and
excited adjourned 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 her own had
done, and cosy bedroom, tastefully fitted up,
took its place.
Upon low couch lay fair, pale girl, whose
face was drawn with lines of suffering, and
whose twisted limbs told of the frightful accident
that had crippled her. She was lying very still, ,
with listess, wearied expression, but as Nellie
watched, the pale face frightened, and she rails
ed her head to listen. The door opened. and the
smile grew radiant Godfrey Churchman en-
tered the room.
Dear, dear brotherl'' This was the greeting
With loving tenderness he sat beside and caress-
ed her, while she wound his curls round her thin
fingers.
% You tired she said, softly
Rather / am working so hard for our
home, Mary"
g And Nellie's?''
q And Nellie, if she will share it, wrote to-
day to ask her if she would come to US, for
can now dare to begin to fit up house. We
must live quietly and economically at first, but
will work hard that you and Nellie shall have ev-
cry comfort.
All, here comes our tea p said Mary, as the
servant brought in small tray, with a service
for two 81 do enjoy your handsome present,
Godfrey
% The tefe-d-tete. Yes, it is very COSY
And then Nellie bowed her head too. as the
young man, rising reyerently, asked blessing
on the meal.
Two hours glided away, and still the young
girl fingered. fingered to hear the brothers
words of love fall the sufferers heart like uiu-
sic, to hear her own name respectfully and aifec-
tionately uttered. fingered to see the tender,
protecting love of the strong man soothing his
sisters pain by gentle changes of position to
see how carefully he studied heSface to read ev-
cry thought and, as the room at last faded away,
she stretched out her arms to the noble man be-
fore her. and woke with a 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 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 in
to the fire with a muttered curse.
THE Memphis Aralanehe was guilty of the fol-
lowing bit of sarcasm -" To Andrew Johnson,
our patriotic President, we look, more than to
any earthly power, to bring the North back into
the Union'
CLIMBING FIsH.-Prof. Agassiz, in his Brazil
ian lectures, tells of species of fish that can
climb trees
nut iong SINCE, in the State of Indiana Mrs