Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1871-04-28


ing to the earth. There was hot blood
i'm both our veins. The discussion haC
been of nature to inflame it still
more, and as / rose, he sprang to his
feet also, expecting, as / thought, an
encounter. / seized him by the throat
there was 4 brief struggle, when ]
heard Nelly's voice, in commanding
tone, utter the brief, and as it seemed
at that instant, lovingly familiar
| name:
! "FredIn
/ turned and faced her.
Let go your hold J"
I released it.
Edgar maintained an attitude OF
defiance.
"For shame, -" said she; "if this pro-
ceeds further, neither of you shall ever
come into my presence again. Shake
! hands and be friends. / command it.
! There! Now sit down and hear me. "
We obeyed, but reluctantly.
Here" said she, drawing couple
of notes from her bosom, sis the evil
dence that you are suitors. One of
| these letters is signed Edgar Gait, and
| the other Fred Rolf Both contain
declarations of love to me. Why, gen
| tlemen, have you been so precipitate
! i'm the expression of this admiration
Beyond the casual acquaintance of
neighbors you are strangers to me-
And is this way for either of you to
commend himself. Does your con-
duct denote that kind of amiablity
that a woman could desire in hus-
band-supposing the situation to de-
mand such choice? These prOtesta-
tiOns are as new to me as they are
strange and unexpected. They imply
taking into connection with your
violent proceedings-thatm my selection
is narrowed as between you, which |
must take an occasion to deny. Bat /
will be candid with yOu. My affec-
tions are unpledged. [ respect the
sentiment of a noble youth tina:
breathes devotion to virtuOus girl
| put the case i'm this form, beause il
seems to merit this kind of cOnsidera
ton. / have rever loved. much less
thought of marriage. But as mar
riage is the predestined lot of my sex,
| shall not shrink from entertaining
honorable propositions foreshadowing
such a result"
There was a lofty pride in Nelly's
manner when she delivered this
speech. Her feelings gained the mas
tcry over her at its conclusion, and for
a moment she buried her face in her
hands. Then, recovering her calm
ness, she resumed:
" Do you both sincerely love me?"
The answer was iSstantaneOusly
passionate in the affirmative, from
both Edgar and myself.
This is flatteriHg to me beyond my
expectations" ;" she said.
There was another pause, and this
time the conflict of NeIly's emo
tons caused her to walk off a short
distance to collect herself. She return
ed, and said:
"NOw, then, shall put you to the
test. POmise me, on the sacred honor
of gentlemen, you will abide by my
conditions"
We both gave assent.
"They are these: You shall each
be placed on the probation of a month,
that | may prove you. | have here a
coin which | will toss in the air. If
it falls head. Edgar Gait has the first
month of woOing exclusively to him.
self If the reverse, you, Fred. Du-
ring that month, pledge myself, like
wise, to remain uncOmmitted in feel
ing and avowal. The second month
shall belong to the loser. At the end
of that time / shall choose between
you, or both shall be rejected. Is it a
bargain ?"
at is"
Head for Edgar" said she, as the
coin was twirled in the air.
Head it was.
AT the end of the month, Fred"
said she, as she took Edgar's arm:
rememberur In this manner they
marched off together.
stood gazing after them as they re-
treated. filed with speechless mortifi-
cation.
Nelly Farrell was a strange COM
pound. She was the only daughter of
loving parents, who idoliZed her, and
having the means, INDUCED her to the
utmost beat of her inclination. But
pecuuiaIy misfortune overlook the
family, and they became suddenly re-
duced in circumstances. AT the age
of twelve, she found herself the in
mate of an uncle's dwelling-an or
phan. A remnant of her fathers for
tune remained. which had been Teligi-
ousIy set aside for her education. As
she grew into wOmanhood, and the
RESPONSIBILITIES of her situation presen-
ted themselves TO her cultivated and
expanding mind, she endeayOre to
reI,air her profitlesS life of the past, by
dcvising noble plans for the future
Her home was "a happy one; but she
felt herself to be a dependent. And
then. its tenure was by no means GER
tain. for her uncle spoke of emigratiDg
Il, 20 could
bear the thought OF leaving the village
OF her nativity, where the ashes Of her
parents Teposed, and the scenes OF her
childhood surrounded her like the
beautiful creations Cf a passionate
dream. She was 8 Wayward girl
This she knew WAS a fault i'm her char
acter to be reformed. As she had been
| bat seldom thwarted in her moods, in
! depcncc asserted itself as distinctive
and prominent feature of her Charac-
4 ter, and often betrayed her into indIs-
/ cre,i0ns thai made her conduct liable
/ TO miS"on-truciIon-
/ Ia ihc present Instance, 10 the censo-
/ riou- mind. it might be -uUject 10 that
| objection. Not So 10 those who knew
| her well. or understood her. Her cap
rices were purely the offspring OF sud-
| den and Innocent impulses. ii on oc-
casion her manner was familiar, undue
familiarity never failed 10 meet with
her rehuke.
A month is an eternity of time wher
jealousy keeps note of the flight.
could not remain in the village to bi
passive spectator of Edgar Galt'
triumph TO see him walking arm II
arm with Nelly, and encounter then
in the fields, the groves and orchards
which Were our places OF mutual re
sort. Edgar would undoubtedly b
breathing into her ear impassloDe'
protestations, and she-she might IL
Welding to their misunderstanding
by their eloquence, charmed by tn
picture OF romance, of devotion ant
love they protrayed!
The thought was maddening!
Next morning / was passenger Il
one of the stage coaches leading ou
of town. For six weeks l remain
cd immured in solitary valley OF I'D
mountains, domiciled with a near II
Iation. Here the excitement OF deel
hunting-a sport 10 which was niue
attached-made the days pass pleia'