Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1874-07-11

dream OF cOUrtInT them, bNt. l!npulNNe III
everything, she threw the whole force of
her ardent, generous nature into the new
path of duty Mr.. Martins eloqucnce had
pointed out to her.
A large proportion of her income was
drawn from large cotton factory in Nor
ton, and among the operatives there Netue
soon found employment for leisure hours,
and avenues for all spare dollars. 1t was in
the spring that Mr.. Martin came to Morton,
and in the summer a contagious fever broke
out in the settlement where the mill opera
tivcs dwelt in small cottages and large,
crowded tcnemcnt-houscs. 1t was impos-l-
bic for Nrtic to enter into any undertaking
with lukcwarm interest, and once engaged
in trying to aid the sufferers. She devoted
time and money with an un>parins hand.
Her own glorious health bore her through
the dangers Of cOntagipn unharmed, and her
cheerful. buoyant disposition was like sun
light among the sick children, who were her
especial care. Yet when the death-liIm
gathered over childish eyes, no voice could
soften the dark passage to the grave with
Swectcr. more earnest words Of comfort and
promise than NeticS.
Seeing her thus. through the long weeks
Of toll and danger, asking hex aid where
money was urgently reeded, finding her at
her post where the air was thick with fever
and the danger frigatiuIly near, Alfred
Martin grew to consider the beautiful dark
face aS iairer than his ideal of angels. and
to think there was no music like Nette :
clear, melodious voice. BY the magnetism
OF his own true earnest words, he had led
her from lriyo!ity to the seeking of higher
aims and duties, and by the power OF the
strong love wakencd in his own heart he
drew hers into his keeping. She loved, as
she followed all other impulses, with fer
vent and deep affection, while she was daily
meeting her lover, and the guide to all the
noblcr pursuits Of her life.
Mrs. Wheaton, a meek little widow, was
only too glad to think Of her chiIl's future
intrusted to the care of a trnly good man,
a. she believed the Rev. Allied Martin to be
and gave glad consent to an engagement.
Aud while autumn winds Were sweeping the
fever from Morton, Ntftie was learning the
sweet lesson of loving submission to d
stronger will, waa conqncring many a life
long se,l~l.ness and folly to please her be-
trotbcd, aul believing that she had lost all
relish for the iriyoli'i,s Of the past
Had the morriaye followed at once upon
the wo,ng, lhinG there would lave been
happiness at the parsonage, where the influ-
cnre Of the earnest minister would have
dccpencd till Nnttie no I,nger needed any
earthly said2 or support. Bat Mrs W hca-
ton decided that the brides lrousslau must
come from B, and when the new year
opened Ncltie went to her Aunt Mary's to
remain till miliIcrs and drcssmakeIs com
plctaI hcr outfit. The wedding-day was to
b. in March, All, lie Aun. Mary shopped
and stitched Nrltic took farewell of the gay
cites Of her city home. Sic did not mean
TO he iucIn-i+tcnt. or to break any of the
good resolutions Of the past few months,
but old friends welcomed Ter with festive
gatherings and before she realized it she
was dancing, flirting and litting from party
to party with all her od lest and enjoy
meut.
Then, .iu-: for amusement, she allowed
the new lion, Count Lodo,ki to pay her
marked attention; She told herself she was
safe in her happy engagement, and that he
was too mach man Of society to have any
serious intentions. Ii was a mere Irritation
for both of them. and it served to pass away
time to listen To the stories of the Polish
exile, to waltz with him, drive. walk, ride
with him, aud yet, with womun's skill
and coquettc's ingenuity, keep him from
any compromising offer that would end the
amusement.
The term Of Ne,rir's visit was nearly over,
when the entertainment Mt Mrs. lIant's
called together large number of her old
friends and new admirers. Count Lodo,ki
was more ardent than usual in his express
sions of admiration, and N.ttie was uncum-
iortah'y conscious that he was prc-umng
upon the encouragement be- had received.
The evening passed quickly, and i, was near
supper-time when the count, with court
eoUs bow, offered hi, arm 10 Ncttie for u
stroll through the conservatory, where a
number of couple were cliuying the cool
fragrant air, after dizzy wul,z. They
were chatting gHyly Of the pleasure, Of the
past few week, Of the coming festivities
before Lent, when N,ltie, looki' ap, found
they were the sole occupants of the cunServa-
tory, The strains OF the newest gulOp fully
explained the absence of their former com
panions, and the cir! was moving quickly
toward the door, when the count gently bat
firmly held her back She realized in an in
slant the position into which her own folly
had brought her, bat tried to affect uncon-
sciousneSs still.
81 am engaged for this galop, Count, -
she said, with her usual sweet smile, $50
you must not detain me now"
yet for a little you will stay with me, "
said the handsome foreigner, in his strongly
accented English. Il must say few words
with you
"Another time!
"Now -
The mans voice had a ring of authority
that Nettie resented instantly.
"Let me pass she said, haughtily.
"YOu FORGET yourSelr strn nicely sir -