The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1872-03-15
BASHFUL NELLY.

ter she had given her consent, but her
love and natural taste for the drama
were so decided, that talent carried
the day. and forced her difiidence to
succumb. Then, too, although so
very timid, she had her own share of
personal vanity, and realized perfectly
that her beauty would appear to Won
derful advantage in the snowy stage
dress she intended to wear
Lydia Languish was the part assign
ed to the young lady, and conscien-
tiously she studied il. She stormed
round the house crying, laughing and
shrieking, until her mother became
convinced that she, if not Nell, would
become raving crazy. So then the
young debutant shut herself up IN her
room, and apostrophized chairs, tables,
bed d-posts, DC, as Beverly, her ador-
ed Beverly" going through the thrill
ing proxysms of love, anger and de-
spair, with the most thorough abandon,
and tancying at last, that all the talent
of the Kembles, Cushmans, &c, were
united in her one trail, little person.
But when she came to attend the
first rehearsal, she found to her dismay,
that making love No a handle,
and enacting the same with dashing
Young man, who met her far more
! than halfway, were two very differ
ON, things and she was so desperate
" c,Rtenet?, that she mumbled her
Sentences Al to herself, and could not
raise her eyes from the floor and
when it came to the stage embrace, so
rioorously set down in the books, she
turned res: and pale ell in moment
and was in truth, so thoroughly scar
ed that the Young fellow, whoperson-
ated Captain Absolute, was quite DIS
couraged, and whispered to some one
near him =,
"What in the world an: I 20 do with
this frightened baby? | wGul' '"s' aS
soon make love to doll"
Little Nell happened to hear this
and it reused all her naughty temper
for she was no saint, if she was shy.
She brought down her tiny foot with
an emphasis, and clenched her dainty
white band, and vowed she would do
her part or die.
So at the next meeting young Har-
] ry Willoughby was both surprised
and pleased to see Lydia wake up,
and act with considerable spirit-and,
although she could not manage quite
yet to keep her long lashes from hid
ing her soft, blue eyes, yet she looked
SO pretty all the time, that he began
to think the frightened baby was not
so bad after all; and after one or two
rehearsals, became quite impatient for
the scene to come. in which he was
: allowed to put his audacious arm
around her graceful little figure, ex-
tending the privilege a great deal
longer shan was necessary, Nell
thought.
The night of the play she looked
lovely As an houri. in q rose-colored
silk, with her hair falling in soft curls
absut her face, and Mr.. Willoughby
was so anxious TO have that one in
teresting scene 60 off we'll, that he in
sisted upon rehearsing it dozen times
! in sundry odd corners. He drew heI
into the kitchen. at last, bat that was
already occupied, Sir Lucius and Bot
:. Acres fencing over the cooking-stove
and Falkner repeating tender apos
trophies to Julia, perched upon th'
kitchen table. So then Harry drew
his companion in the store-room, anc
there, amid congenial row of pans
pots and kettles, they rehearsed thei
scene.
Il think, Miss Nelly" said the sauc
young fellow, that we should tax
our positions here, as if for q waltz.
"But l never waltz, you know" wa
the innocent reply.
Harry bit his lip, and proceeded t
g demonstrate the position more accu
rately, as he inquired, 'Don't yo
D, think it would be more effective, {
IN this point, if l were to kiss your"
at is not in the book" she said d.
murely.
"Bnt don't you think it would b
an Improvement" persisted the VI
f. bIushing youth.
"No, l do not think so, at all,' 81
exclaimed, looking rather pretti'
7, than ever, with her crimson cheel
and sparkling eyes. So Harry NEE
ly apologized, and concluded tn
Nelly's simplicity was not SO easi
imposed upon after all.
PIT The young girl made great hit
Lydia. She found that playing befo
= good-natured audience, was lie
trying than rehearsal in the mid
-, of critical companions, and the excit
~ ment took away all her timidity, e
Is, cept just enough to render her mo
'rs. pleasing and pretty. She received
number of bouquets, and young w
loughby, who shared her trump
ted somewhat, felt very proud of his II
Lydia, and in the dance that followe
1 was evidently inclined to monopoli
. her entirely. 1t was Nell's first
umph in society, and she enjoyed t
IN. eclat of being belle. But still me
did she appreciate the devotion of t
-. aforesaid gentleman. She had ney
r ,th. forgiven him for calling her a bal
and was waiting quietly for an opp
line tunity to have her revenge. 1t v
as as not long before such an opportun
Nj presented itself.
sb,g ~ After the first play had been p
ouse formed several times, the actors w
/, on so well pleased with their succs
l. that another one was proposed, 81
Love Chase and to Nelly the da
ing role of Constance was assign
This time, however, the lovers p
III was not given to Harry, but to ano
er equally handsome and fascinat