Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-06-18

Nettie, for stroll through the con-
servatoly, where number of couples
were enjoying the cool, fragrant air,
| after. q dizzy waltz. They were chatting
gayly ofthe pleasures of the past few
weeks, Of the coming festivities before
Lent, when Nettie, looking up, found
they were the sole occupants of the
conservatory. The strains Of the new
est galop fully explained the absence of
their former companions, and the girl
was moving quickly toward the door,
when the court gently but firmly, held
her back. She realized in an instant
the position into which her own folly
had brought her, but tried to affect
Inconsistencies still,
,::"l am engaged for this gafop, Count, -
she said, with her usual sweet smile,
$50 you must not detain me now.a~
;, 'Yet for a little you will stay, with
ne, said the handsome foreigner, in
his strongly accented English. 81
must say, few words with YOU"
"Another time y
IN ow! ~: > iif1
Tie mans voice had s ring of
authority that Nettie resented Instantly.
'Iet me pass!" she said. haughtily.
"You forget yourself strangely, sill. ;,
Il forget all but love when I an
near you," he cried, and broke into. a
stream Of eloquence, an ttninistakable
offer of heart and hand, more than
limiting that he was sure of areturn of
his ardentl y-expressed devotion.
In vain Nettie endeayored to check
the flow of words, every one of which
she felt was an insult to the man she
really loved, in spite of her foolish
vanity, and to whom she had promised
faithful affection. The count spoke
SO rapidly that not until he. paused for
his reply could Nettie find an oppor-
tunity even to speak.
Them in talterlng voice, half chock-
ed by her contending emotions, she
declined the honor of an alliance with
the Polish nobleman. .:
$40 cannot mean to refuse rne?n he
cried, in genuine astonishment; "you
cannot mean that you have been
coquetting SO heartlessly!"
81 mean that I must decline your pro-
posal," she answered, more firmly, and
request you to allow me to pass" ..
"But, Miss Wheaton Nettfe. YOU
love me. Surely you would not let me
SO deceive myself. You love- mel
There is some bar, perhaps, to orr
marriage; but you love me-"
i am already betrothed," the girl
said, desperately, not conscious of the
Interpretation her words admitted of
until third voice spoke e
"Consider yourself free, Miss Whea-
ton, if you love this man." said Mr..
Martin, stepping into the room. ssPar
don my intrusion. I came Unexpectedly
to the city, and your aunt told me you.
were here. Mrs. Hunt kindly directed
me to this room, where find my COM
ing most opportune. !. have the honor
to bid you good evening and farewell"
And, not seeing Netties piteous,
pleading face, he turned and left the
conservatory. A moment later Mrs.
Hunt was hurrying to the room, where
Nettie had fallen senseless, overcome,
the anxious hostess said, by the heat
and the perfume of the flowers.
Aunt Mary was sitting up when the
little white-cloaked figure came III, and
Nettie threw herself into the kind en-
brace, sobbing bitterly. She did not
see "a tall figure near the window, half
hidden'by tie. curtain folds, as she sob
bed out her<Btory. b ::
$"And Alfred will never forgive me-
she said, in conclusion. 81 saw it in
his face. -. :, - T., r..
>HDo you deserve chat he shoulda"
Aunt Mary asked, still holding the girl
close in her arms. - y ~"
'No. l ought never to have allowed
the count to pay me SO much attention.
But twas mere Irritation, auntie.-.
lie cares nothing for me, though
Wheaton is golden prize; and l never
gave him a thought even of friend
ship. And | had tried to be good
Ihad, indeed: I meantto go back to
Morton and help Alfred in every good
work. meant to use my money for
charity, for useful aims only, and It is
only my silly head that has drawn me
into these last few weeks OF frivolity
and foolishness." Z:
"Do you love Alfred, Them j..
Glove Alfred!.Aunt Mary, do. you
suppose would have promised to
marry him if l hadsnot 1orea. him.. j.
Z aBet when the count asked if you
loved him, YOU only said you were
betrothed." 4,
''Do'' you suppose / would even
mention Alfred to him!2" Nettie asked
Indignantly. Il Viz >i,r
'Then if Alfred would forgive you