Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-09-09
that uncle was in the mill, as he always
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"Uncle is in the MILL" l said; and
meant to speak coldly, but somehow the
words would not sound as meant them To
sound, and the next minute he had drawn
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 lis heart,
and that if refused 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 tluttered and trembled When
tried to speak my voice was all Of shake,
and l kept on thinking as he spoke OF
what happiness it would be to have him
loving me through life as he said he would
and I'm afraid that my face betrayed this,
for he kept on talking more earnestly each
minute.
And still through all came dear uncle's
words: Don't be in hurry" and when
asked myself did l 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.
"You know that love you, Nelly" he
whispered, in deep, earnest tones and he
tried to take my other hand, which was
drawing away, when heard voices COM
ing and heaved sigh of relief as John
Fleming started up, looked through the
window, and then gave his foot a stamp OF
vexation
Heres that lout Murray" he ex-
claimed as 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 cold, gray shad-
ow cross it, and knew that he was suffer-
ing intense pain.
"Ah, Fleming,' said uncle quietly,
lyon here?"
''Yes, Mr.. Wilmot," said Fleming,
smiling; I've brought you over the
paper, that's all Just off Good morn
ing. Good morning, Miss Wilmot," 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 IL short nod
to Oliver Murray, John Fleming went out,
while our other visitor crossed to me and
shook hands in quiet, grave way, and |
could see now the pain had caused shin
ing 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
me?-though, 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 distiague :.
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 girl
may read any true, frank man; and he
was saying to himself, "God bless her!
may she be happy with him." And then,
in spite of my outer GOODNESS, the throb-
bing of my heart began again, and | could
not help thinking how true and earnest
and tender was this grave, gray-eyed man
toward 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 a gentleman AT heart.
Il think you're right, Murray" said
uncle, tapping the glass again. She's
gone down again in the last hour or two,
wonderful"
Il could hear the distant thunder as l
came across" said Oliver, gazing at me
the while; they're having heavy storm
VII lHt illilS, anu tliouSnl i u tollIt anu
warn you"
"Thanky, my boy, thanky,' said uncle
" Murray will have bit of dinner with
us, Nclly-but, hang it, man, what's the
matter? You look like somebody else.
You were as CHEEKY as cricket as we
came
dared hardly glance at him, but did !;
and ! saw the grave, panied eyes wander
from me to uncle, and back again, and
there was "A terrible silence in the room.
At last he spoke.
"I've been took aback, Mr. Wilmot,"
he said, with "A piteous smile" | have
been surprised this morning, and after
what | said to you, sir, it has come upon
me like thundey-clap. I'm not myself
Miss Wilmot" re said, making an eff
fort over himself, and speaking calmly, as
he came to where ] stood feeling Shtte
now, and took my hand, ave may be
neighbors for years, so | think it better
to speak out plainly-said some words TO
your uncle yesterday-in ignorance-l did
not know what | know now or | would
not have spoken. meant to have-to
have asked you to be my wife, for ] was
blind to everything-but the fact that |
loved you very dearly. Now iii all over,
and say-God bless you! May you be
very happy"
He raised my hand to his lips and kissed
it as if | had been queen, and my heart
swelled more and more with the great
pity that filled it even to bursting; and a.
he dropped it, and stood gazing revercnt
ly at me, | could bear no more, but ran up.
stairs to throw myself on my bed, and lie
there sobbing as if my heart would break.
| don't know how long | lay there,
dinner and everything forgotten but those
two sht, tender, piteous eyes looking into
mine, when | started up awake to the fact
that the room looked very dark, that il
was laundering very heavily, and there
was the sound OF rnshing waters.