Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-04-28
lFKoN THK PHILADELPHIA AGEl
4 TOSS FOR A WIFE;
OR,
KELLIES CHOICE.

the lOVeliest of all the midsummer
glOries. So Nelly Farrell thought, and
! was student i'm her school of aesthe-
tic preference. She resorted to such a
place in the afternoons, to study Mrs
Hemans, and commit passages of her
poems to memory. 1t was not long
till became familiar with her haunts
Nelly did not like intrusion; but one
day as she went up the lane, let down
the bars, passed through to the orchard
and took her place under the shade of
favorite tree, ! watched her, lOitered
at respectful distance, and. as if by
chance, walked leisurely along not far
from where she sat. She kept her
eyes steadily on her book, rs though
ignorant of my presence. This was
simply rusc. She knew very well
was there.
1t seemed I was not the Only one who
took an interest IL NclIy's afternoon
wanderings. a gentleman climbed
the fence into the orchard from an Op-
posite direction. and wended his course
directly toward her.
| recognized Edgar Gait in the per-
son of the Intruder, and my checks
flushed. Suspicion and anger were
cOmmingled in my thoughts. What
could he want here? Was his visit
the result of accident or design?
1t had been my purpose merely TO
skirmiSh; now / could watch.
Edgar either did not see me, or dis
regarded my presence. He kept
straight on toward Nelly. There
was a smile on his countenance of
pacid assurance.
The lOssOms were falling on Nclly's
lap She made a motion to brush
Ihen aside, when her eye caught the
outline of Edgar's form. She turned
her head slightly from him, and be-
came more than ever absorbed IN her
book
Should I step between them and
spoil the pleasure of his greeting ?
That was the first inclination but
there was a struggle going Oh in my
feelings that would haze betrayed it.
sc'f, and rendered my position ridicu-
IOus. waited, and made an effort TO
calm my ruflled nerves.
The afternoon was declining, and the
shadows of the trees were iengthcn-
ing on the sward.
Edgar stood before her.
"Ah ~ she exclaimed, "you have
come but YOU are t2rdy."
Good heavens! This was q tyrst,
then! He had been expected; waited
Eor-and | was an interloper!
Not tardy," was Edgar's reply;
- am full five minutes ahead of time"
\ mist rose before my eyes. / walk
ed along mechanically, breaking off
stems of apple-blossoms that hung
within reach, and STOPPING occasional
~ IA pluck a wild flower in the path.
These I twistpd and twiRed, rather
than arranged, into n boquet. Oncon-
sciouSly had approached quite near
10 Nelly. ! was about to turn and flee.
when / encountered her gaze. 1t
seemed more Teproachful than eXul-
tant.
Edgar Gait had thrown himself on
the grass ut her feet.
There was a momentary conflict IN
Inny mind, between fear and Inclina-
EioE. s fter all, I unused, ought not
40 be taS qrecipitate. l might mis-
judge Nelly. And then the Thought
occurred " Faint heart never won
fair lady.s Philosophy was one OF
any favarite studies. Why lot heed
.one of it's axioaus2 These resiectIons
wrought a marxelioBs change i'm my
feelings. They rendered me bold
4 few rapid strides and ] WAS ~ her
side
III fhis he no intrusion. wish to
prcscnt YOU. Miss Nelly, with this
srifle sf flowers, cullcd At haphaZard
and arranged without tsate Accept
1hem a an Offering of admiration; I'm
$40 other respect do they possess any
value"
How / managed to get through with
this speech, stammering as ! ava /
could never after clearly determine.
4" You underestimate the gift, Mr.
Rolf. ] receive il with pleasure a. &
token of esteem, aud deny your right
10 deprecate its value"
The cheek Of Edgar Gait hlanched
I'm the slightest degree, on hearing this
courteous reply. As for myself j was
transported with pleasure.
How are you, Fred ?' said Edgar
addressing himself tO me, and assum'
ing a manner oe frank indifference.
A minute previously, and my an
swer might not have been very anna
BILE. Now l could afford 10 be gene
rous. and replied in a tone ofkindnes
such as became our relationship as oi'
friends.
The conversation turned on book
and authors. Nelly was by no mean
profound-she was only seventeen
but she had a quick wit and was viva
cious. At times she could be satirical
she had a woman's gift to understan'
men-that is, infatuated lnvers-oet
ter than they understood themselves
and availing herself of this superio
knowledge, she managed TO avoid dis
cussion, by shifting it to Edgar an
myself. In this way, she hoped {
learn more of our real characters.
The device. excellent in motive, lie
so results more serious than she inten
ded. A consciousness existed in tn
mind of each that the other was hi
rival.
Edgar still reclined upon the gras'
Nelly was seated with her volume
Mrs. Hemans closed on her knee.
stood near 10 Nelly, and directed m