The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1875-04-01

his leisure downstairs, and thus it came
to pass that very soon he began to en- |
ploy all of it there. Sometimes he acted a
little oddly; but Nellie said it was the
eccentricity of genius, which explana-
tion her aunt accepted as satisfactory.
And 20 the time went on-ior Nellie a
glorious dream.
The periodical irruptions of John
Mortimer were the only disagreeablc
phases, for John was jealous. Nellie had
been his affianced for two years-an in
terval of labOrious pecuniary accumula-
ton on his part-and this constant as
sociation with Mr.. Chelmont was not
relished by John at all. He hated the
author and the author despised him.
Mr.. Chelmont soon made himself
known to all the families for ten miles
round. BY means of tact and address he
got up great many social gatherings,
and was the lion at all. He appeared to
forget all about the quiet and retirement
he bad come to seek for he took Nellie
to ball or party two or three nights
every week. "Time," as she often said,
seemed to fly like the wind"
One evening John Mortimer's jealousy
reached crisis. He brought Miss
Jennie Bell to party, when Nellie was
to be with her usual attendant, hoping
to irritate his betrothed into some de-
cided action. He succeeded; but in a
very unexpected manner, for Nellie, with
a c0ntemptuous laugh, said:
"John, you are only making goose of
yourself. don't care a pin whom you
flirt with"
He saw that she was speaking truth,
and the next minute, with rare dignity,
replied: ,
playing the fool, 1t is true. love you
| God knows l dO-better than my life
but you care no longer for me. Mr..
Chelmont has won you from me. Some
thing tells me to warn you against that
man; but shall not trouble you with
any advice, except to take proper care OF
yourself"
That very same night, coming home,
MIR. Chelmont declared his passion, laid
his heart and fortune, such as it was
lhe did not know how much, he said)-
at Miss TyrrePs feet. She accepted him,
and it was the happiest hour of her life.
A little while afterward Mr.. Chel-
mont's book was finished. He announc-
ed that he was obliged to 60 to town to
put it to press.
"No end of bore, my darling" he re-
marked to poor Nellie, pale and crying;
"but such things are inexorablc as fate.
/ shall return as soon as can; you may
expect letter from me every day."
The next morning-train bore him
away, and as he passed Chestnut Farm
in the train, he waved his handkerchief
from the window; and, for the first time,
Nellie felt an interest in the cars that 80
regularly sped by to and from the city
Then came the old dead blank again.
To Nellie the reaction was terrible.
There were no more parties, no delicious
love-making, nothing but dead calm.
Mr.. Chelmont did not write so
regularly as he had promised, nor were
his letters very long He said that
business took up nearly all his time, but
soon he hoped for better things; and this,
with many ardent protestations OF love,
was the burden Of his correspondence.
John Mortimer came to the Farm
sometimes, but Nellie was very cool to
him, and he seemed almost as miserable
as herself. >,
After some weeks he unexpectedly
stopped OH his way from the village with
letter. Nellie recognized the hand
writing, and tore it open with beating
,, heart. 1t ran thus:
My DARLING-Look for me every day
, This is the last word you shall have from me
until we are face to face. IL. .
She watched as patiently rs the un
In, har
When he came he would take her away
from this horrible place, and they woult
be married, and she should never set eye
upon the scenes of her wretchednes
again. She counted the very minutes.
But after many more tiresomc days tn
: torture of delay grew uncomfortable
] Spring had come, and all nature wa
G lovely as it rose out of the winter
Z slumber. Nellie found 10 charm in
for her, but shuddered with disgust.
}. One beautiful afternoon she was sittin
: |, on the porch, melancholy and angry, an
John Mortimer, full of pity and affection
c stood by her. Her little brother Fran
was there, too, and, breaking lon
! silence, he said:
"Nellie, why are you always so cross
. because am tired to death! Oi
:, how I detest this dull placet | do wis
something awful would happen-just
;, create an excitement and give us
= chance"
n Nothing very awful could happe
hercabout, Nellie" sighed John, ruefull,
a as ifhe would like to get up an cart
i quake, or something equally terrible, II
a her special qualification.
r. "No," snapped the young lady; w
(. can't even have a railroad accident. III
81 trains have been running by here for te
"a wears. and never yet have they failed
n pass on time to the very minute. L
wish somebody would put something
Mt the track, and throw the next train OIL
"Nelliep' cried John, much sh0cke
r. She laughed and blushed, and perha
v regretted that silly speech, and pei
er tently began to be more agreeable. .
n even offered to 60 into the parior, a.
at sing Johns favorite ballad for him: !
Re insisted eagerly, and presently was IN 7
seventh heaven a. he leaned upon the Q
of piano and listened to his darling's ange
ed music.
he In the midst of one of Nellie's SON
ch she and her companion were both START
us by the sudden and shrill screaming oi
lt- locomotive-whistle.
nd White, tremulous, and with beati
St hearts, they ran quickly out upon
lis porch. Suffering such anguish of frie
tie as people feel but once in lifetime, a
ng without knowing for what reason, tn
tn instinctively glanced up the railrc
of track.
The train was rushing down the ri
i'm at terrific speed. The whistle shriel
i'm again. Directly in the path of the eng
lily lay huge rock, which had rolled do
ed, the embankment.
his The next instant the pilot of the Il
20 motive struck it, the train jumped IT
ont the line and zigzagged little