The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1875-12-29
CHAPTER XVII.
NELLIE, THB KNaLIsH ROSE.

NELLIE, THB KNGLISH ROSE.
Miss Nellie Nicholson was French
woman, but her father had been an Eng
lish jockey. well known upon the courses
of Ascot and Epson. -....5.,..s .r tt-
- Brought over by his master to Paris, he
took, after riding his first race at Long
champs, q very enviable position upon
that slippery and frowsy foothold, the
French Turf. .. ...-...
For the first year, aBandy Nicholson"
as he was familiarly called by his friends,
took high honors-so high that, despite
the peculiar character Of his legs, he walk
ed into the affections Of q certain lndy's
maid, in whom the young lord, his en-
ployer, took n great interest. They wers
married. .... ... 70. ......a -
A few months afterwards, Bandy took
to drink; and few months after taking
to drink, he took to his bed. -.
One month after taking to his bed he
took to his coffin, and was duly taken to
parish cemetery. which his master, mind
full Of his past services, had graciously
procured for him.
And Nellie2:, 20. t
Poor child! Three months after the
death Of her father her mother also dis
appeared with Brazilian gentleman, who
owned much cattle and cash in, Rio Ja-
neiro. .-. H.;
Unfortunate little Nellie! An English
rose thrown into the mire Of the Paris
streets, to be admired for the moment, and
to be trampled under foot, when Its brief
admiration was over. II .4.f,yr z.
But Nellie Nicholson had. talent.
Atalent quickly seen by the buckeyes Of
a Parisian manager, Oscar rRigaud,prop:ie-
tor of the Beaumarrhais Theatre.
:. This enterprising manager, quickly Of
fered the pretty girl an engagement,
which-for # was a question Of bread or
no bread-was m quickly accepted. It
WAS hard life, lnd the girls heart hard
ened with il.
She had been FIVE years upon the boards
Of this low Paris theatre when, during
chance visit, her peculiar and striking
beauty attracted the notice Of the young
barrister. ~.
Through the friend who had taken him
"behind the scenes" he made her ac-
quaintance, and few weeks afterwards
made her proposal Of marriage.
This proposal, after Il secret inquiry in
10 his ways and means, WAS firmly reject
ed BY the fair lady. That is to say, that
whilst holding him TO his bond, She await
ed the time until he acquired that position
which lie asserted he was sure to attain.
In the meantime, playing with the mad
ness Of his love, she permitted him to ruin
himself in her behalf. .-....
A beautiful serpent-the tlghtness OF
whose coils were scarcely felt by the fas-
cinated victim. because The pressure was
so soft aud 30 gradual,
Can any excuse be found for Nellie
Nicholson?
Christian charity will surely find one
namely, the root of her evil education,
struck deeply down into the Paris mud;
and what, with other and better culture,
might and would have produced better
result, blossomed into Dead Sea apple
all brightness and beauty without all
dust and ashes within: ~ 81 p. -.
But TO return to the conversation inter-
rupted by the entrance Of the maid serv-
ant.
Her presence. gave the young .barrister
time to recover himself.
He looked at the pretty little creature
on the sofa for whom he had sacrificed so
much, and his anger faded away like q
summer storm.
The moment the maid had left the room,
he drew his chair closer to her, and took
one Of her tiny hands in his.
Come-comer' he said. tenderly "why
have YOU been so hard upon me this even
ing ! If I've been in the wrong, you've
punished me sufficiently. Let's shake
hopds. and ba friends"
But she pushed his hand away. saying,
in hard, dry tone, that she was too i'll and
too worried Ito talk nonsense"
"Illr' said Noel anxiously. "Shau
send for the doctorl"
4What fort There's nothing the mat
ter with me but botheration. Ny life u
nothing but prolonged yawn. You don.
like me to be seen with you anywhere, anu
so you won't take me anywhere. A nice
sort of husband you'll make! l like life.
laughter, gaiety while yon are a. grave
as an undertaken, with black scarf hang.
ing down to his heels, and a bourd with
black feathers on his head
"You are not very complimentary, Mel
lie. II you only knew how much l SUI
fer"
~Go on! That's just ike you n,sn-
nobody seems to suffer but yourselves.
Why am not to be seen about with youi
Surely you're not ashamed Of the person
you have asked to be your wifei"
II tell you there are family reasons"
@Oh, hang your family reasons! II you
loved me half as much as you say you do.
you'd think no more of your fine family
than do of the puff Of n cigarette"
ait is a question Of money"
"Wcll. there certainly is something in
that" po,lted the little beauty. Nobody
can get Oh without money, and lot OF 1t,
too at any rate can't"
"I'm afraid that's very true, Nellie"
said the barristcr, with sigh.
"And, talking of money reminds me
that rve my dressmaker's bill to pay, and
you promised"
Before she could conclude the sentence,
Noel had placed on the table Il portion OF
the bank-uotes given him by old Cork
screw the very rusting Of which Danish
ed every vestige of frown from Nellis's
lovely fnce, and her pouting lips brighten
ed into the sunniest Of smiles.
"You are the best Of dcars," she said,
and I'm wrong to teuze you. My bills will
come to three hundred pounds, if all are
settled"
AAnd have only brought you four
hundred. You. must be satisfied with
that. I am about 10 leave Paris for u few
days"
Leave Paris"
"For few days only, and the result Of
that short compulsory absence may be
nay, will be. our happiness for life"
"Is it secrett Oh,'do tell ME what it
is9"
II can't"
HDo ~ said the girl. clasping her hands.
and looking at him i'll the most coa1lng
manner imaginable.
II cannot in fact, dare not but by
and-by you shall know all. In the mean
time, listen to me attentively. Whatever
may happen, and under no pretext Of any
sort, must you attempt 10 see me at my
house, as YOU have already tried to do.
Don't even write. If you disobey me in
this, you may do me an irreparabie injury;
if you are i'll, or anything unforeseen oc-
ours, send round that old thief-whst's
l;n moi"
CONTINUED ON Cd pAaE.]
~
-.