The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1873-10-01
which had blossomed, and then

hadn't the least bit of confidence
or dignity, and it was great rcllet
to find that Miss Rue didn't expect
lit of me, but directly called me
"Nelly," and prepared to entertain
herself at the piano.
But one, two, three weeks passed
and I didn't feel the least bit ac-
quainted with her.
She appeared to be ten years
older than I, in mind and manner,
though she was not more than halt
that my senior; and [ kl1ea0 some
times that she was actually Mlh1ny
doacn to me kindly.
She didn't do that with the others
for papa was fond Of an argument,
and they used to talk over my head
for hours together. Nemour never
entered upon discussions, but he
seemed to get acquainted with her
directly, and they soon established
an actual intimacy. #.
One day it struck me into a great
blank to think that lie cared more
for her than for me.
.Verv soon after this I had chills
and fever, and was confined to my
room three week. Papa was anx-
ious about me, because Inever had
been very strong. lie could not
spare his little "Slippers,' as he
called me (for the steps I had taken
for him since l had been his house
keeper,) and watched over me DAY
and night. There was one other
who should have showed solicitude,
yet, alas! Nemour's voice went
under my windows, and l knew
who else was in the boat as l lis
tened to the splash Of the oars
but he never came to kiss me IN
those dreary weeks.
Miss Rue came in sometimes and
asked leave to do something for
me; was, indeed, faultlcssly kind !;
but her presence fevered and dis
tressed me.
She was to stay all Winter, be-
cause papa was attending to some
business for her, and it was better
t6 have her by. How [ shuttercd
as I looked forward to that Winter,
and anticipated the blow which |
felt must come.
I came down at last on papa's
arm. And there was Nemour and
Miss Rue sitting cozily in the
breakfast room, and talking about
the Elgin Marbles. turned glddy
and white as a ghost. They all
Hockcd round me, and Nemour
from pity and remorso, | felt,)
kissed my hair and wasted bits OF
hands. | was dumb and unrespon-
siye. How could they all seem so
glad, Wondered, and such wrong
going on!
At breakfast it came out that
papa wanted to 60 North to attend
to lands he owned there, and that
Miss Rue was to 60 with him, to
visit her friends in that locality
that both were to return in a fort
night.
Oh, if she would 60 and never
come back! I thought. My heart
ached miserably. It was of no use
for Nemour to seem so glad to see
me again; I knew it all for a mis-
cradle sham. I could not. expect
him to love me when she was by
poor plain child that [ was-and
yet, and yet he was so precious to
me that a very colossal passion
racked me when I tried to give him
to her. Oh, I knew that [ loved
him-Zored him-so purely, so tru-
ly! and he was my all. She must
have .others-dozens Of suitors for
her lily hand.
But she went away, and if I had
not known-oh! if I had not
knoun-I should have thought that
he loved her-that he loved me.
Icould not speak her name. I
never mentioned it to him. "
That fortnight, it went by like
a fash of light.
"Nell, I'll 60 into town and meet
them, I think" said Nemour, when
he told me that the steamer had in.
heard, and then-well, l was
not strong after my illness, and my
heart was breaking. Down upon
my knees I went, begging, beseech-
ing, praying him not to leave me
for her.
!, "Why, Nelly why, my dear
Rittlc Nelly!' he stammered, anna
zed.
And then a carriage drove into
the yard.
They had come. I stoom up to
meet them-to gaze bitterly upon
Miss Rue's beauty.
She came in upon papa's arm.
He looked SO proud, so glad, she
had so sweet an aspect!
"Mrs. Amberley,' said papa,
presenting her.
She was my fathers wife!
I let some one kiss me. l was
too stunned for any demonstration.
By-and-by I stared at Nenour.
He looked pleased. lie was laugh
ing and smiling as no man with q
sOrrOWfl1l heart could do. When