The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1874-02-14


very carnest-''if you can win her heart
there is no one to whose keeping we would
more Gladly con6de our Nellie"
All, me that is safe promise, deal
friend. I will not expose myself to TIM
pain of seeing her surprise, nor wound hei
kind heart by making her refuse ihe."
There was an empty parlor to receive
the gentlemen, but Mrs. Gordon soon bus
tied in.
Don't have the horse taken out, Ned,
she said. "Nellie has gone over to Tas
les, and she wants you to drive over and
bring her back"
All right. I'll stay to tea"
DO. We have quite neglected TASTE
lately. Let Nell stay all night if she il
tired. 1t is long walk
1t seemed as if never had evening pass.
ed so slowly. Mr.. Gordon and the doctor
talked, and Mrs. Gordon nodded over hel
knitting, but there was no Nellie to sing
no Ned to joke, and the evening was want
ing in all the viyacity and brightness thai
had seemed the prevailing element of the
home circle.
1t was after ten o'clock when the family
retired, concluding the young folks would
stay all night at their cousins, but the
doctor heard the carriage drive up at a
still later hour, and the voices of the broth
er and sister when they entered the house
Very early next morning he limped
down to the library to find a volume he
had been intending to read, and break the
monotony of the long sleepless hours
Even in that room he found everywhere
traces of the bright young life that EN-
bodied for him all womanly tenderness
grace and sweetness. Upon one table wa'
the backgammon board as they had left il
the previous morning upon another the
book they had consulted, and in its leaves
the dainty gold thimble and piece of fine
needlework Nellie had wrought while she
listened to his voice, reading or chatting.
The man was only human. He had
carried his burden for eleven long years
patiently, if not cheerfully. He had suf
fered no murmur to escape his lips, but
now, ashe looked around him, he spoke:
4" 1t is too much. My cross is heavier
than | can bear"
A gentle touch fell upon his clasped
hands aud voice, low, musical, and
sweet, answered his dcspairing cry.
Win you let me help you carry it.
dear friend ?"
Nellie Nellie r he shouted, in ring.
ing tones; then, with sudden revulsion Of
feeling, he said, hastily, "No, no. Tie
your young life to mine2 Drag you down
to such as I am? No, no, thousand
times. God bless you for the pitying i'm
pulse but it can never be-"
The young girl stood erect and still for
a moment, looking steadily into the wild
eyes raised to her own.
81 do not pity you" she said, in clear,
6rm voice. q | may be unmaidenly, bold,
forward in speaking, but | cannot let you
go from us without making one effort to
keep you. Dear friend, / love you. II
you will take me into your warm, noble
heart, will never wound nor grieve it.
If you will let me share your home, my
whole life shall be passed in trying to make
it happy one"
While she spoke, he sank upon low
chair, hiding his face with his thin white
hands, aud sobbing like child. There
was no unmaidenly boldness in Nellie.
heart as she knelt down and drew the head
upon her own shoulder, kissing the waving
curls, and whispering words of affection.
"Well, l declare r. said voice at the
door, laughing, with suspicious little
choke in the tone. Pray, Mr. Nellie,
are you making a proposal in that roman
tic attitude ?"
"I am Ned Go away till am accept.
ed or refused"
Not /" said Ned, rightly judging tina,
the scene had better be changed. ~ re-
main here to challenge any man who dares
refuse my sister"
II am afraid I'll have to take you,
Nell" the doctor said, letting his happi.
ness irradiate his face
rYou must" she said "St. Valentine
himself gave you to me-"
So the professor took the little cottage,
aud Mrs. HOlway Presides there, and does
the honors.