Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1867-01-26
OLD SERIES, VOL. 27, NO. Is.
SATURDAY MORNING, JANUARY 26, 1867.

of others-and they had many visitors while
Nelly was there--they were studiously polite,
but in the family circle Arthur, at least, was
sarcastic.
But message came to Nelly, recalling her
home for q visit to the seaside.
"Oh if you could only go with us, as in
the olden times, Amy. declare, Henry,
am afraid some dreadful punishment will be
inflicted upon you for taking Amy from u.s."
and tears came into her eyes and color in
her cheek.
"What can it be, little sister2 have had
nothing but blessing since took her; and
last, but not least. has been your visit"
"Thank you ! And that reminds me of
| the way the nourishment is to come. shall
! he an old maid. and come and live with you,
! cats, parrots and all ~
what! on a farm, Nelly, where you
! would be buried alive"
"Don't sister, please! am ashamed of
all those silly speeches. Your hone is
perfect paradise, and could stay here with
you, Amy, forever, and not be lonely. And
then, did not know of the pleasant friends
you have all around you"
Arthur seemed to be reading, but The leaf
he was turning trembled in his fingers
strangely. Nelly was to go to the cars the
next morning, and toward evening she went
out to see her pets once more. She took
some bread crums and salt, and made her
way to the chicken coop. But the careful
mother had tucked her little family nice
away to sleep, and gave spiteful little
chir.r-r, as Nelly offered the crumbs.
| THAT is the way" she said bitterly, "and
they will all forget me as soon as am gone"
But her heart warmed up again, as her little
! white friends, the lambs came running to
meet her, rubbing against her, and eating
the salt from her hand. "GOod bye!" she
said, patting their soft heads. "Tou 1ciU not
forget me, j all the rest dol" and turning to
I go, she found herself face to face with Arthur
Kingsley.
1t was the first time he had ever sought
her, and she stood embarrassed and confus-
! ed.
'Pardon me-" he said, gently, "if intrudc
but the dew is falling. Here is your shawl
! Will you permit me 2" and he laid the shawl
carelessly across her shoulders. Why did
| Nelly feel faint and weak for an instant, as
those hands fingered about the duty they
were performing
"And he heard me talking like baby to
those lambs" she thought, as she turned to
go.
She took his proffcred arm, and they re-
( turned by more circuitous route than she
had come. Twilight was deepening into
darkness, as they stood by the hall door.
But few words had been spoken by either
but now Auther said, while his arm tighten
ed on the little hand, evil you not visit
the garden as we'll as your pets9" Nelly
looked up. Was he teasing her about the
lambs But no; these eyes were earnest
now. She made no reply; she dare not
trust her voice, but walked as he led to a
garden chair near the fountain. She was
glad he had selected that chair; for the
thrill of the water as it fell in the marble
basin. broke silence that was becoming
painful.
"And you leave us morrow? Do you
regret it, just little, or were you jesting
when you said you could stay here for Amy's
sake Z" She did not answer. MAY sit
by you while tell you story 7" he asked.
She made room for him by her side, and he
began:
Il am farmer by birth and education
This farm, with all its broad acres, belonged
to my father and his father before him.
When my father died it was left to Henry
and me, with an injunction that it should
not pass from our hands while we lived
And it is no restriction, for we both love the
old place. When Henry brought his cit.
wife home, expected to hear complaints
and repining. But, bless her loving heart
she made us all so happy! She told US o
, your horror of the country, and, when yor
came, you corroborated her testimony. Blu
] loved you, Miss Nelly, from the moment
saw you, and have been tugging at the chair
: that held me ever since you came. And to
day, when you said what you did, wa
tempted to do this act. Will you come TO
n ID.