The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-09-10


OF uncles words; and when once
caught glimpse OF myself in the glass
il WAS To see that my cheeks were red as
fire.
At last was sitting in the little par
Tor, working by the open window, feel.
ing more at peace, when heard foot
steps which set my heart TO beating
furiously, and a minute after there was
a tap ut the door, and John Fleming
came in, after our homely, ncighborly
style.
'Ah, Miss Wilmot, - he said; ssI've
Just come back from the town.
thought Mr.. Wilmot would like TO see
the paper. Isn't he here?"
Now, as John Fleming stood there
flushed with exercise, fine, hand
some, tall fellow Of five-and-twenty,
couldn't help thinking what picture
he made Of health and manly strength
My heart was beating fast, for knew
he professed To love me, and in my
girlish way | was attracted 10 him, he
was SO attentive, SO fond of waylaying
me, and SO tender and respectful in his
ways; but fresh from my conversation
with uncle then, could not help feel
ing that il was an underhand way of
coming to see me, to drop in with such
an excuse, when he perfectly well knew
that uncle was in the mill, as he always
was At that time of the day.
.'Uncle is in the mill !" said; and
meant 10 speak coldly, but somehow
the words would not sound rs | meant
them To sound. and the next minute he
had drawn a chair TO my side, and was
talking TO me as he had never spoken
before. He was calling me Nelly and
praising my beauty; telling me he loved
me with all his heart. and that if | re-
fused him he should never be happy
again. And all the time his handsome
face was bending over me, and when
dared To peer up in his eyes they were
looking so earnestly into mine that /
grew futtered, and trembled. When |
tried to speak my voice was all of a
shake, and | kept on thinking as he
spoke of what happiness il would be 10
have him loving me through life rs he
said he would; and I'm afraid that my
face betrayed this, for he kept on talk
ing more earnestly each minute.
And still through all came dear I'M
cle's words. Don't be in hurry
and when | asked myself did love this
man, the answer came, and felt that
should like To run away, and cry all
by myself, but he tightly held my hand.
''lou know | love you, Nelly" he
whispered, in deep earnest tones, and
he tried 10 take my other hand, which
| was drawing away, when ! heard
voices coming, and / heaved sigh Of
relief as John Fleming started up, look
ed through the window, and then gave
his foot a stamp Of vexation.
''Here's that lout Murray" he ex-
claimed, and he snatched up the paper
he had let fall and stood in the middle
of the room as uncle came in, closely
followed by Oliver Murray, who gave
start as he saw Fleming, and then his
frank, honest face twitched and | saw a
cold, gray shadow cross it, and knew
that he was suffering intense pain.
.'Ah, Fleming!" said uncle quietly,
s'you here?'
"Yes, Mr.. Wilmot," said Fleming,
smiling; "I've brought you over the
paper, that's all. just off. Good
morning. Good morning, Miss VIII
mot. he said, pressing my hand.
''Good morning, and thank you, my
lad, ;" said uncle quietly, his eyes fixed
on me the while; and then, with short
nod TO Oliver Murray, John Fleming
went out, while our other visitor crossed
to me and shook handsin quiet. grave
way, and / could see now the pain had
caused shining out Of his soft, gray,
earnest eyes for had not this man, with
all the tact of a gentleman, told my
uncle that he loved Mccullough, save
in his grave, gentle way, and little
kindnesses, he had never shown it to
me.
/ could not help comparing the two
men-the one tall, handsome and dis
tingue; the other broad-shouldered and
plain--as | said few words distantly
in reply to his inquiries; and saw his
lip CULVER as / read him through and
through, as a girl may read any true,
frank man; and he was saying TO him
self, :God bless her, may she be hap
py with him. And then, in spite Of my
outer GOODNESS, the throbbing OF my
heart began again, rs | could not help
thinking how true and earnest and ten
der was this grave, grey-eyed man to-
wards the woman who he felt was gone
from him forever; and my heart seemed
to swell with a great pity for one who
could be such gentleman at heart.
II think you're right, Murray, /" said
uncle, tapping the glass again. "She's
gone down again in the last hour or two
wonderful y
81 could hear the distant thunder as
/ came across" said Oliver, gazing
at me the while; They're having
heavy storm on the hills, and thought
I'd come and warn you"
'.Thanky, my lad, thanky," said
uncle. MURRAY viii have bit Of din
~. III - N.i1r. Int hnrnr Il man