Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-06-24
AN EMPTY-HEADED FoP.

"Nell, what is Walter Grantley COM
ing here for every night? I hope
you are not encouraging him in any
attentions he may pay you"
"Why should / not encourage him.
Uncle Charles respect and like him.
"Respect him! a walking tailor's
advertisement An empty-headed
fop!"
"You are severe, Uncle Charles.
Mr.. Grantley dresses we'll, but with no
more attempt at display than any
young man of his age and appearance
is justified in doing. And he is by no
means empty headed. He has read
much, has seen the world at home and
abroad, and converses well; far better
than any young man who visits here. u
"Hump! All of which means that he
has succeeded in fascinating you. l
expect you to marry, Nell. You can
not waste all your young life with an
old fellow like me. But l would like
to see you the wife of solid mana
good business man-one able to carry
on my bushes when am dead man
like James Nelson"
Ellen Baldwin kept profound
silence, her eyes fastened upon her sew
ing.
Il know he is not handsome, and is
nearly forty, His clothes are not made
in the latest fashion, and he is some-
times rough in speech. But he is a
thorough business man, able to take
care of your fortune and even to in
crease it. He would make the best of
husbands, and, Nell, he loves you"
"Not at all, Uncle Charles. Mr..
Nelson has done me the honor of pro-
posing to marry me, but love has moth
ing to do with the matter. And
neither like him nor trust him.
"Not trust him! Why, Nell, he has
almost the entire control Of the ware.
house! l have gradually left every
thing to him. Not trust James Nelson.
You must be insane"
Mr.. Baldwin looked at his niece
with clustering eyes. AS she was en-
tirely independent of his control, rich
by right of an inheritance from
her father, though his own companion
for nine years, this marked indifference
to his wishes touched him deeply: He
was a self made man, lacking
refinement, not well educated. but with
a money making capacity, and he had
the too common contempt for young
men who, like Walter Grantley, were
college graduates, and paid attention
to dress, to looks, to the niceties Of
etiquette and conversation.
"You know, Nell,' he said, after a
moment Of silence, "that I have only
your interest at heart"
Il do not need to be told that" his
niece said, warmly. EHave yon not
been father and mother to me since my
own parents died? My hope is thai
knowing I love Walter. you will also
learn to respect and like him. He la.
bors Under the disadvantage Of wealth,
having Independent means, bit he was
in business for long time before {
legacy from his grandfather gave hin
sufficient employment in managing thu
real estate and stocks IN which it wa,
invested. Try to like him, Uncle
Charles, for my sake"
.'Well, will try. But wish it wa.
James. l could like him without try
ing"
Not long after this conversation
while her own heart was happy in he1
love and her uncle's kindness, Nellie
saw that change had come over Mr.
Baldwin. He had always been a gent
al man, with kindly impulses, friends
with the world, proud of the prosper
ity that was the work of his own hands
but he became vely grave and quiet
even sad, absorbed in papers, and evi
IDENTIFY deeply troubled. Nell worried
over the change, but waited to know
the cause.
The knowledge came one evening
| when Walter Grantley was making |
call. True to his promise, Uncle
Charles was trying to be friends will
| the young man, and that he was sue
ceeding was proved by his speaking il
his presence.
"Bad news, Nell" he said, heavily
81 am ruined mani"
sfYou; Uncle Charles I"
Nell's arms were around his neck,
while his hand was taken in q cordia
grasp by Walter.