Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-11-19
Selctt storp.
NELLIE'S SURRENDER.
By MRS. ANNA JAMES.

Il do wonder il Mr.. Gray is engaged"
cried Nellie Clifton. with CLEAN OF mis-.
chief in her brown eyes, which BODIED no
good TO the subject of her wonder.
Il hope 50 for his own sake" replied
/; but somebody has discovered that he
is still in manly meditation fancy tree. ~
What a mercy il would be to him then
to make him think OF something besides
his books" returned Nellie, with the air
OF IA good Samaritan.
Nellie, Nellie. you must respect the
cloth 1t isn't lawful to flirt with minis
ter"
"A mans a man for a that and a that"
she sang detiantlv, as she twirled round
like ballet dancerc en- the toe other boot.
Nellie Clifton was originally cut out for
q tlirt of the most unmerciiul kind; but
nature had given her a warm heart, which
went far To save the mark. She had oit-
en- made me a call in the morning. stay.
Ing in one spot about as long as - butterfly
does 10 rest his wings; and - the sub
stance of a woman's letter is always in
the postscript. she usually said the thing
which she came 10 say just aS she was
leaving our doorstep.
As she reached the gate with whirl, it
was suddenly opened for her by young
man coming IN; he put out his hand to
keep heI from falling, and their eyes met
tor one long instant; ii their souls met,
too, in that glance as young souls have a
habit ol doing, only one of them knew It,
Nellie walked slowly across me street to
her own door, and Fred Olney, my sailor
cousin, came in.
Il am so glad to see you, When did
your ship get in? p
Who is she?" he exclaimed, without
so much as how-dye do, by way Of
greeting, after his two years cruise.
20, that's Nellie Clifton! She was AT
boarding school when YOU were here last,
and in pantalettes before that. She has
more beaux than she knows what 10 do
with now, so she don't want YOU"
well, | want her, which is more TO
the purpose. That is the girl | have been
looking for for many years"
"How many, Fred? remember when
you wore long dresses, and am not in
the sere and yellow leaf yet myself, SO
you can afford to wait Il long while for a
wife. Nellie needs an elderly husband,
or perhaps minister, 10 train her con-
tinually in the way she would go; for she
would wofully depart from it if you left
her for long voyage.
Never YOU fear but | am elderly
enough for her. Youth is fault that
mends every day, and do you see that
moustache?' said Fred, pulling at some
very soft down which nestled on his up
per lip.
The fact is, you're jealous that have
eyes for any other woman but yourself; (;
but will graciously forgive you. if you
will give me chance to make love to
that little beauty over the way"
.Ifyou are really in earnest. Fred, your
one chance is 10 court her by contraries;
indifference is the only phase in gentle
mans manner that she is not familiar
with
Then halt dozen more cousins, hear
ing Fred. poured out OF the house with a
rush OF welcome and took possession of
him for the day.
We either choose a mission, or have
one put on US, and if people call me a
matchmaker and have reason for it. l
still find some compensation in the happi-
ness which has grown out OF one or two
marriages which have helped to make.
Before Fred's arrival. had made up
NV mind that Nellie Clifton was precisely
the person TO fascinate studious young
minister like Mr.. Gray A minister must
have wife (most of them have two or
three before they die) and as Mr.. Gray
had been wonderfully preserved from
feminine snsres through his college and
seminary life, it did seem to be fore-or-