Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-08-16

a Nettie had him bound heart and soul to
her chariot OF triumph, and seemed utter
ly unconscious or indifferent to the tor
ture she was inhicting.
"Shell drive me to desperation yet,
Fannie. can't say what will be the re.
suit II that red.whiskerei fellow hangs
around here much longer"
/ "Then why don't you retaliate, you
foolish fellow? Go Airt with Dora Dudley,
or some other girl, and make believe you
don't care"
"I cant" said Robbert, ruefully-"I
haven't the heart. Ill call that Ellis out
yeti Look at them now" he continued,
with despairing glance at Nette; "she's
going TO sing for him bis favorite air,
i "Loye's Chidings,' confound himI asked
her TO sing NY song the other evening-I
meant that little air that she used to sing
so diyinely last summer, and will you be-
lieye il, Fan, she sat down to the piano
and commenced Robin Bound and Of
course oil the girls commenced to litter"
OF course L believed II, for Nettie was
dreadful enough for anything;--and when
her uncle and aunt went to town for n
few days, leaving her mistress Of the house
she became, IL possible, more tormenting
than ever. But the crisis came at last.
One evening when Netiie was entertain.
| ing several OF her friends Mr.. Ellis among
the nunlber--in her own bright way, and
acting towards Bob with the most faultless
politeness, q messenger called him to the
door, and We saw him no moro that eve.
ming. Subsequently, / heard the poor
fellow walking upstairs In his study, aud
felt that ho was struggling with tie "grecn.
eyed monster that had such complete
possession cf him. looked reproachlully
at Netiic. She appeared screnoly uncon-
scious, and wondered mentally what sort
of conscience shc had
The next morning at breakfast Bob was
invisible, aud Nettie, ns mistress Of the
house, sent Lucy, aun,io's English maid,
to call him. Lucy returned looking quite
alarmed
Please. miss, | knocked as hard az ]
could. aud Mr.. Robert didn't answer; he
only groaned;
"Groanedl'' | exclaimed In horror. ooh
Netticl"
"Nonsensel' replied the impcrturablc
young lady "It was probably a snore
you heard, Lucy. Go call him ngan and
say that breakfast il getting cold
"Please, miss, l'm afraid he's hill. lie
groans most dreadful
"Nonscnsc," returned Netiie; 20 do %
tell you. Fannie, don't Le such little
goose you look frightened to death"
"Oh, Neltiel how eau you DO &C cool
about IN lie has threatened TO do some.
thing desperate for long time. Who
knows bat he has taken stry chime. char
coal or something OF tho sort? lie was
perfectly furious last night. heard him
walking his study like madman."
"Upon my VOID. Fannie Fairie," Net.
tic replied. II gave you credit for more
sense. Bob has oversight himself, and
you turn IL into tragedy or suicide.
Well, Lucy, did you call him ugain9"
II did, Miss, he said something or 9th.
or | didn't exactly understand. Ii soun.
dod very much like swearin, Aliss"
"llo's In good franc of mind, for n
journey to the other world Come, Fan,
let's have breakfast without my lord this
morning. lie will come down when ho
is ready probably
But Ne,iio, In spio Of her bravery, had
no appetite. aud was thoroughly alarmed
although kept rs quite us possible.
IL am going to call Robert again Nettie,"
| said. after breakfast II am afraid there
il moro than you think the matter with
him
"As you please" she replied. assuming
an air OF utter Indifference, though she
had become, saw plainly, quite nervous
aud ndgeiy. "You may suggest that no
break last will DO procurablo after ten.
That may be a powerful inducement with
our slamborous prince"
asceuded to Bobs room andcommenc.
ed n vigorous tattoo on the door panel.
No answer. called repeatedly, but all
was silent "Are you sick, Cousin Roberl2
For Heaven sake what Ia tho matter?'
Not sound answered my excited appeal
Terrified beyond measure, and trembling
with all sorts Of dreadful apprchoasions, |
returned to Nettie, determined TO vent my
feelings on her, whosc cruel conduct had,
| was confident, driven Robert 10 tho com.
initial Of some fearful deed. was nearly
struck dumb with amazoment at finding
that incomprehcnsible girl, with her head
against tue WiuaoW- pahost boopinR Hkc
the veriest baby. Nettie Leo in tears, aud
as subdued as nunl My resentment
vanished like smokes my arms were around
her In an instant, he's bright head resting
on my shoulder, Us whispered--"Don't, Z,
Nettio darling don't cry sol Perhaps,
after all, there is nothing the matter"
"There Isl there isl know there is
Oh, Fannlel Fanniel and to think that
am the cause of II ALL" l really thought
she was; but | was so astonished at the
melting Of this icicle, that | hadn't the
heart TO agree with her. ~ never cared
for Tom Ellis-neyerl" She sobbed,
with her face hid on my shoulder. 81
liked Bob better than any one else in the
worId--always-always; but everybody
talked so much about il and seemed TO
think il all settled, when we were not
even formally engaged, that | determined
to let them sec l was not to be so easily
won"
"Netiie Nette dcarcsi do you mean
itg" said sepulehral voice behind US;
aud we shrieked in concert, for thore was
Bob standing in his study door, looking
like wounded soldier-his face oil tied
up with innamerable handerchiofs, but
his great eyes fairly dancing with delight.
"Cousin Bob" commenced severely,
ltI shauld l,ka to know what vou mann hv