Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-03-14
SATURDAY MORNING, MARCH ID, 1868.

bright day in May, bringing light and jog
into his home, and all this time she had
never seen Harry Clifford, and wondered
where he was. 'fa T9
At last one day, when she went out shop
ping, she was confident she heheld him on
| the wreck of what he was five years ago.
She approached, and forgetting herself,
gazed sadly on the man, lounging on the
steps of a saloon a man, thin and wasted,
with black hair clustering in tangled curls
over his forehead, wrinkled with care, trou.
bic, or some inward s:-ife man whose
dress indicated poverty. ..-T.-
He looked up ut last, aud saw her large
melancholy eyes fixed ON him. He stirred
uneasiiy. She drew nearer, and held out u
paper. He took it, and she hastily disap.
peared. He opened the paper, and little
purse rolled out--a little red silk purse to
which was pinned paper bearing these
words ----..--.' -.
Five years ago, Nell, the beggar girl,
resolved to beg no more. She has kept her
resolution, aud is now able to pay the loan
ii. Z. was kind enough to proifer. Take it,
misguided man, and do us she has done.
Do not go in there but seek some honest
employment, and you have the prayers of
NELL"
He pressed the little purse to his lips, and
resolved, as she had DONE to be better
man. lie became once more a respectable
citizen and prospered, ard oh, how eagerly
he watched for Nell to appear once more!
After long lapse of time, a tall elegant
lady, in rich robes, alghted from the aristo-
cratic carriage of Aaron Wells and entered
his store. She much resemhled the lady
who had given him the purse; but then. the
oil hox tf> lad, a
surely she could not 5e the little Nell, the
beggar girl. .--... .....
At last one night. as he stood before n
noted gaming house, the old feeling came
over him, and he was sorely tenpted to enter
rustic at the door startled him, and, rs he
turned, he behcd his beneiactress. There
was no mistaking that form, although he
was unable to see her face, for it was covered
by athick veil. Yet he fancicd that through
its thick folds her benevolent eyes CLEANED
gratefully upon him. She turned, and would
have walked away, but Harry Clifford walk
ed after her, exclaiming:
Nell, Nell for my heart tells me it is
you-stop, | entreat you"
He lOnged to see the face of her whom he
had saved, and who had saved him. lie
loved her sincerely though he had never seen
her face.
She hesitated moment, and then the
jcweled hands dashed away the folds of her
veil, and Harry saw the features of little
Nell, bright, beautiful and noble \ visit
ful light burned in the dark impassioned
eyes. as he called her name. She started.
Their hands met, and their eyes drank in
the love light that burned deep in their
souls.
Nell, you are mine You were meant for
me! BE my witei'
She slowly drew away her hand, saying ::
Harry Clifford, come tonight to the
mansion of Aaron Wells; will give you my
answer there and then"
She turned, and he watched her graceful
figure as she moved up the street.
Night came, and Harry went up boldly
to the brown stone mansion. half believing
he was dreaming. The windows were ablnze
with light; II gay assembage thronged the
great rooms. What did it mean ! His cog
itations were interrupted by L voice saying
"Sir, step this way; my lady wishes 10
speak with you," and he followed the polite
servant up the stairs. along the great halls.
Suddenly q door slowly opened, and he
started back. Never had he bebeld such
magniicence and beauty! A great high
arched room shining with splendnr; and
tIele. III tue CtutCT, Stbuu 4NSll-ulS DeAdll-
lul Nell, in long, white satin robes with
diamonds flashing from her snowy threat
and cleaning in the coils of her raven hair;
her face so. beautiful, with the soft light
beamng from her dark eyes.
Harry, my boy, your bride is waiting"
said Uncle Aaron, shouting at his elbow. -
II know all about it, my dear fellow. Don't
he confused This is your wedding night !.
She is my adopted daughter, bIess her
heartv'
Harry took the arm of his Nell, with the
vague impression that he was in a dream :;
bnt when the minister pronounced them man
and wife. And he felt her warm kiss on his
lips, he doubted no longer, but clusped her
to his heart murmuring blessings on her
name. ... ...
The guests were LITTLE surprised when
Harry Clifford was announced as the hus
band of queenly Nell; but the bounti!ul
supper in waiting smnothed away all regrets
for the present, although many soft hearted
swains grumbled afterward.
Harry is now supremely happy, and never
regrets the kind words he once spoke to the
little beggar, Nell. .. 0..e
He and his beautiful wife live in the brown
stone mansion; and Uncle Aaron declares
that instead of losing, he gained when Harry
married his pet. The little red silk purse is
treasured by both husband and wife. And
thus will we leave them, enjoying Gods
greatest blessing, welded bliss.
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