The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-03-09
[From Once Week.
Michael Considine's Daughter
[

COnSlulut CuulC Cdiiy VIC heAo u"y
and Mrs. Pembroke very nearly began
to cry out of sheer pity, when she met
his saddened, weary look, for the man
had been face to face with greater
Judge than himself, and the verdict had
been guilty"
Thank you, my kind friend" said lie,
holding her hand, and reading in her
face the unspoken words of sympathy.
II can never hope to repay one tithe of
nv obligation to you or Mark; we'll
talk over what l can do another time;
now | must only stay minute; but l
could not rest until l had seen her-jnst
one look in her face"
Nelly was in the supper room up to
her knees in flowers; she had almost
forgotten the scene of the night before,
and although something in Considine's
recalled it, the flowers and sunshine
came between her and the pain of the
memory.
"Pve brought you birthday offering,
Nelly" 1t was the first time he had
ever left out the conventional Miss be-
fore her name. Nelly's heart gave lit
tie bound, and her eyes rose up to his
with a shy look of wonder and expecta-
ton, her color coming and going as he
went on. "YOu know | am such an old
friend that claim right to give you
something nice, and to tell you how !
4ove and admire my little friend. If
uncle Mark grows tired of you I'll adopt
YOU, and build you n fairy palace full
of fiowers-and sunshine"
He tried to laugh as lie spoke, and laid
his hand upon the disordered locks OF
bright hair, amongst which some rose
petals had fallen. Nelly at once took
the cnse, stopped and kissed his hand.
Mrs. Pembroke whispered something in
her ear, and with bright blush the girl
held up her face, saying:
"Aunty says Pm to kiss you, sir"
Considine started and caught her in
his arms, bidding God bless her; then,
before Nelly knew what to say or think
the door closed behind him, and she
and her aunt were alone.
"Poor manw said Mrs. Pembroke, mis-
understanding Nelly's flushed face; he
had a daughter and thinks yOu are like
her; you must not think anything of hi:
being a little peculiar: he forgets you
are not child"
Tears sprang up into Nelly's eyes
half angry, petulent tears. Why did he
think her a childx She was nineteen
quite a woman, and" but here Nelly.
heart began to throb very fast and
strangely interrupted her thoughts, mol
had she time then to follow the grievance
up, for Mrs. Pembroke was curious Il
know what the judges present was.
The case was soon opened, and Nelly''
ewes were dazzled, for lying upon the
deep blue velvet was q gorgeous dia
mond bracelet.
Mr.. Considine, who had no idea what
present to give to the young lady, had
placed the matter in the hands of a jew
eller, who, in turn, weighing the value
of the gift by the greatness of the giver
had chosen one worthy, as he truly said
of royalty; and though the price seem
ed rather great, Considine thought il
was only ignorance on his part, and
would willingly have given twice al
much to see Nelly look pleased.
"It must be worth two hundred
pounds, at least" said Mrs. Pembroke
rather breathlessly, for she, too, had
been dazzled by the magnificence Of the
offering.
1.-TWO hundred pounds, aunty!-twC
hundred pounds for present to pool
little mel" and Nelly bent down, pre-
tending to examine the bracelet, but
ONLY to shake off the tears that had
come again; not angry tears this time
nor did she say anything more about
him concerning her being a child
''Men do not often buy bracelets worth
two hundred pounds for Children" said
Miss Nelly to herself.
Mrs. Pembroke smiled ut the girl''
bright face, and watched her flashing
the glittering jewels about, thinking i'll
her heart what a mercy it was that Mel
ly was still such child, and not, like
other girls, fancying that everybody
who liked or was kind to them must bt
in love.
Nelly was dressed long before tn,
guests were expected, and in the frs
drawing-room watching, if the trutl
were told, for Mr.. Considine, who sh'
thought would be sure to come first
What q pretty picture she made, as SHE
stood there before the bright fire, th'
candle-light flashing down upon th'
ripping golden hair, and making al
sorts of shadows in the misty blue dres
which, looped up with white roses, float
ed round the slight girlish figure.
Considine saw it as he came through
the hall, for Nelly, determined to catcl
him before he went further, had left th'
door open.
"Oh! Mr.. Considine," she said, turn
ing round and holding out the arm
bound round with the cleaning brace
let, chow very kind Of you! l neve
dreampt of having such Q present in IN!
life; only look how the light seems Il
gather and flash. 1 do believe they ar
; bits of real sunlight petriied; lean neve
thank you enough" and Nelly looked
up, thinking that she had intended Il
give him another kiss: but instead of do