The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-07-24

nlceIy OF UOucn tnat uelecleu inc SilBht-
est inequalities of surface even In pol
ished wood, and her eye was ut once
quick and correct. Little by little, al
most unconsciously, John Somerille
trusted Nellie with much OF the de-
cision in purchases, and the book-keep-
ing was often in her care for weeks to-
gether, when there was pressure of
work. Mrs. Somerville whined and
fretted over the strangely masculine
tastes of her child, but her father be-
came more and more averse to parting
with her in business hours.
Two years after Nellie returned from
school, and just after her twenty. first
birthday, she started one morning, as
seen in the opening of my story, to look
at some patterns TO be sent for decision.
Such matters were often entrusted en-
tirely TO her Judgment, so she was not
surprised to find her father had gone
out, leaving the decision to her. But
after she had given the order, had an
swered a lot of letters lying upon the
desk, had wandered all over the build
ing and returned again to the office, she
was surprised at her fathers long alb
sence.
One of the foremen, in the finishing
department. coming to the Office for
some last orders about the shipment of
some goods, said that Mr.. Somerville
had appointed TO meet him there mt
noon, and the proprietor of Somerville
X Sons frame factory was man of rigid
! punctuality.
Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes Stephen
Holton waited in the office. Watching
Nellie's busy hand as she folded, sealed
and directed alot of circulars, and think
ing that never had he seen a face so fair,
or heard voice SO clear and musical
as Nellie Somerville's. But as the clock
struck the half-hour, Nellie looked up
with startled face.
" Something has happened, Stephen, +"
she said "my father is never half an
hour behind time. Send some one to
look for him"
"The men are all at dinner Miss, Mel
lie. l will go myself"
But, even as he spoke, a messenger
hurriedly entered the office, saying
Mr.. Somerville was thrown from
his horse while on his way here from
the village, and is badly injured
Where ?" broke from Nellies white
lips.
eve took him home, and he asked
me to come here for you.
Even i'll her horror and grief Nellie
retained some presence of mind. Look
ing into Stephen Holtons grave, SYM
pathizing face, she said
=" You Will take charge here until you
hear from my father. L will be re-
sponsible.'
" Thank you" he said, deeply moved
by her confidence in him at such q
time. 81 Will try to do my duty"
" l am sure of that" she answered,
and extended her hand.
Two minutes later she was hurrying
homeward. None too soon was her
clear head and quiet resolution brought
to bear upon the excited household.
Her mother was in Mysteries, the serv-
ants busting here and there, purpose
less and terrified, and her father lying
upon the bed in the hands of "A surgeon
and two gentlemen who had assisted in
bringing him home.
There was plenty to do. In less time
than would have seemed possible, the
servants We're in their proper places,
Mrs. Somerville quoted, and Nellie,
white as a sheet, but perfectly tranquil,
actively engaged in waiting upon the
surgeon.
The weary hours that followed taxed
every nerve of the girls frame, but she
bore the strain bravely; and when the
surgeon led her to the drawing-room,
he felt deep respect for the girl who
had Sc nobly crushed back all selfish
sorrow to aid her father in his agony.
Giving her a glass of water. and
making her rest quietly for few min
utes, he watched her face till the drawn
rigidity of every feature relaxed, and
the strained eyes looked piteously into
! his own.
"That is better" he said kindly.
" You may cry now"
Nellie's lip quivered.
-" You have something to tell me ?"
" Yes. Are you strong enough to
That he will die9 Oh, say he will
not die "
1.-THE injuries are not fatal. Your
father may live for years"
Nellie's tears fell fast now.
Z" But" the doctor continued. "he
will never be able to walk again. The
injury to the spine will keep him Grip
pie for life. "
Never walk again While Nellie
sobbed out her anguish in the drawing
room, John Somerville, unconscious of
the dread fiat that had gone forth, slept
under the influence of powerful OPT
ate.
For many days the two women who
loved him had no thought for anything
but the strong man stricken down in
the prime of his life, needing care like
little child. Under the influence of
real sorrow, the crust Of selfshness
melted from the wife's heart, and she
became devoted nurse, forgetting the
fancied ailments she had nursed for
years, in ministering to her husband,
as he lay helpless and suffering.
But there came day when John
Somervile was told, kindly and eau
| tiously, of the doom before him. II
took all the Christian strength of the
mans nature to endure the shock.
Better death, he thought, than life at
such price. The first agony over, he
thought of the factory, the bread-win-
ner for wife and child-the business Of
his life. Must the old firm die at last,
and the Aourishing business be sold for