The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-10-27

maue nlS appearance tnat ua(, OF iOT iOuT
or Eve days following; and in the mean
time, Nellie was told by his sister that he
had returned to the city.
Now that was not consDling news and
Miss Nell was highly indignant when she
heard of it, But never mind, thought
she, he'll be back by the end Of the week,
and | think | have little influence over
him yet
SO the days were passed by Nellie in
various pleasant ways, for though she was
too light hearted to indulge in melancholy
musings, aud too sure of his love to grieve
over his absence, the thought Of his for.
getting her, or paying tribute to another
shrine, never entered her head
In the meantime where was Hal? He
hal returned to the city almost immedi
atcly after leaving Nellie, hoping to for.
get, or at least to lessen the sorrow he
felt at her impetuous dismissal. in the
busy cares of his Office But how could
he forget bright, bewitching Nellie Ash.
ton ilc loved her with all the intensity
Of true, loving heart; but at the same
time, his pride strongly interfcred with
his love Pondering it over one after.
noon, however, he came to the conclusion
that it would be better to make one more
trial for the hoped for reward, than to
lose all by hesitation and delay.
For she must think little of me. he
said softly, to himself and
BY the tine he reached that poiut in
his musings. he had decided on one more
trial and resolved to start for the sen.
side that very afternoon.
Helen "
+ Mr.. Ashton never addressed his daugh-
ter by that digniied name unless he felt
particularly annoyed or perplexed ; aud
Nellie gave n swift glance at his troubled
face as she asked, quickly:
What is it, papa is ANYTHING the
NATTER
No; but should like to see you in
the sitiing.room for few moments
Very we'll, sir and she meekly fol-
lowed him irto the house, thinking, as
she did SO, over all her recent offences in
order to see which particular one h. was
going to lecture upon.
Helen, he asked abruptly. Us he hand.
cd her chair, when Hal Dayton called
here the other day, he asked you to be
his wife. did he not p
4 Papa " stammered Neil
/ 1t is an abrupt question 10 ask,
kuow, but should like you TO answer
it,
'We.i. he did. sir
And you refused him, 1 understand.
May know your reason for so doing ?
The rosy blood sufused Nellio's face,
aud she hesitated before replying, for it
was difficult question to answer
Perhaps, said MIR Ashton i can
give the reason myself You refused the
love of good, noble man, not because
you did no, reciprocatc his love, but from
spirit Of trihing coquetry. Helen, an
swer me this If Henry Dayton offered
his hand again, what would your answer
br the second time
Papa, exclaimed Nell, i never knew
you to ask such singular questions |
don't think its very kind Of YOU to talk
so'
Perhaps not but don't feel very
kindly disposed toward you Just at pres.
cnt and speak as feel Helen, you
know how much | thought Of Hal. and
how earnestly desired 10 see YOU his
wife You know, too, that if you had
disliked him would never have forced
you to accept his attentions Why Gould
you not have told him tho truth. instead
of playing with him as you did , lie was
worthy Of a better woman than YOU are.
Helen.
No doubt. retortej Helen; and |
don't see why he didn't ask some better
woman to be his wife, instead Of my
wicked self Maybe he will some day
i think not Did you know he Intend.
ed coming down this morning.
i did not. Papa, she added twisting
her arm around the old geItlemans neck I,
you have some unpleasant news 10 tell
me. see it 10 your face What is it ?
Never mind Hal Dayton, we'll speak Of
him some other time
Nellie, said Mr., Ashton, gently re-
moving her arms from his neck, We must
speak Of him, because-oh Nellie. Nell.
lie yoar foolish flirting has done lis
work Hal is dead The train he was
on this morning collidcd with another,
and the smoking-car vas completely
crushed. He was in that car, and We ye
every reason to fear he was killed or ia.
tally injured. Nellie. child, don't stare
, at me so didn't you hear what | s'id p
, She turned such a white, auguishcd face
to him, thar he put out his hand to pull
| the hellcord for her mother, fearing she
was going to faint or irightcn him with q
| fit Of Mysteries hut she checked him a.
I she said
'You don't mean it, will not heliev,
1 IT. GA 1t cannot be true
I just then shadow darkened the win
0 dow, and tall, manly figure stepped int
/ the room, and Halls voice exclaimed:
You needn't believe it, for here | an
safe ami sound The accident was DO
as bad as reported, and | am permitte,
Y TO ask if Nelly has found her hero yet
' Nellie started from her position mn,
stood looking first at Hal, then at he
= father, who was az much astonishei u
n herself But though the girl had beer
= so deeply afflicted, she could not resis
Y the temptation of saying something II
Q starte her auditors; SO with trembling
r lips but saucy mien, she said Dear Inc
}. Hal Dayton You always make your ap
:. pearance when people least expect you
IS | was just try ing to decide whether ou
friendship would admit of my wearin
g mourning for you II is 90 becoming, 90
know, but now you have disarranged al
Is my plans.
: Helen Ashton exclaimed her father
N sternly, are yon thoroughly hoaHless
if How can You jes, upon such serious ,nt
/. jects am aston he'd -