Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-05-15

that puts its idol into a pawnbroSers
shop ?n but l dared not insult the pure
heart beside me, and | remained silent;
There was long pause. NO one seemed
to know what to say, and Nellie 5 hand
still remained in mine. Then we all
heard a sudden, violent ring at the hall
door bell. Levi started and left the room,
and still Nellie and remained silent.
But involuntarily l drew her close to my
side. nv arms stole gently round her
small waist. felt the throbbng OF her
little heart, and our lips met. The COM
pact knew was sealed.
In a few seconds Levi reentered, pale
and agitated. He stepped on the thresh-
hold when he saw us locked in the en-
brace, and, leaning against the edge OF
the door, he said
Il am glad Of it. She has no guardian
now but YOU"
''My father!n and with q shrek Nellie
slipped from clasp and fled toward Levi
Poor child ?" he said, laying his hand
reverently on her head, as if misfortune
had rendered her sacred. at is so. lie
has left you alone"
There was wild burst of grief in that
dingy pawnbrokers parlor, and poor lttie
Nellie Lee sobbed and fluttered like bird
vainly beating against the iron wires OF
its cage, The old artist was dead; the
wretched man, unable to resist temptation,
had expended the money he had obtained
from Levi in drink, and was found by the
police in Washington Park, stretched on
one of the walks. He had killed himself
with rum.
For many hours my poor child was dis
tracted with her sorrow, and good Mrs
Levi come down stairs adorned with I'M
redeemed jewclry, and black-eyed Miss
Esther, her daughter, was also there,
smelling of patchoui, and Levi himself
was continually coming in and out of the
shop with bottles of cologne for the child's
temples. and viniagrettes to hold to her
nose. They were all so kind and so gen.
tie to my Nellie in this her great sorrow
that made vow on the spot never to
speak i'll of pawnbroker again so long
as l lived
But in time the tempest wore itself away
Nellie came at last to listen to the few
words of consolation ] had to utter; for !
am an unbeliever in verbal anodynes and
late that evening l might have been seen
sitting on the old hair bottom sofa with
fair, round face somewhat flushed with
weeping nesting on my bosom while Mr..
Lew anu Miss Esther sat round the IRE.
and occasionally turned round to admire
US.
Need 60 much further Need des-
cribe the quiet wedding where | vowed
to be true husband to Nellie Lee. 1t
would not interest you very much for
there was no orange blossoms or brides
maids, and no receptions and German
cotillion afterward.
But may as well inform you that all |
predicted had come to pass. am now
industrious and independent. Nellie is
the dearest wife that ever wore a ring !;
and visit Mr.. Levi, which do often,
for old frienpship's sake, l walk boldly in.
to the house, and have no pecuniary OBJ
lection in doing so.
On an inlaid table in my drawing-room
stands an ivory chess-board. 1t belonged
to the Rajah of Gundarcool, and was taken
from the royal table by relative of mine
in the Albicore Fencibles, after the siege
of that place. It is the very Identical
chess-board which led to my finding Mel
lie in pawn.