The Portland daily press., 1875-11-27

At last was sitting in the little parlor,
workingsby the open window, feeling more
at peace, when heard footsteps which set
nay heart beating furiously, and a minute af-
ter there was tap at the door, and John
Fleming came in, after our homely neghbor-
ly style. -
come back from the town. l thought Mr..
Wilmot would like to see the paper. Isn't
he here?'
Now, as John Fleming stood there, flushed
with exercise, fine, handsome, tall fellow, of
| Internationally, 1 couldn't help thinking
what picture he made OF health and manly
strength. Ny heart was beating fast, for l
knew he protested to love me, and in my
girlish way 1 was attracted to him, he was so
attentive, so fond of waylaying ne, and so
tender and respectful in his ways; but, fresh
from my conversation with uncle then, 1
could not help feeling that it was an under
handed 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 al
ways was at that time of the day.
Uncle is in the MILL" said; and I meant
to speak cold)y, but somehow the words
would not sound as 1 meant them to sound,
and the nextsminute 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 his heart, and that if
refused him he should never be happy again.
And all the time his handsome face was bend
ing over me, and when dared to peer up in
his eyes, they were looking so earnestly into
minesthat 1 grew duttered, and trembled.
When 1 tried to speak my voice was all Of
shake, and 1 kept on thinking as he spoke of
what happiness it would be to have him lov-
ing me through life as he SAID he would; and
Pm afraid that my free betrayed this, for he
kept on talking more earnestly leach minute.
And still through all came dear uncle's
words-"Don't be in hurry;' and when l
asked myself did 1 love this man, the answer
did not come as it should have come, and I
felt that should like TO run away, and cry
all by myself, but he tightly held my hand.
"You know love you Nelly" he whis-
pered, in deep earnest tones, and he tried to
take my other hand, which l was drawing
away, when heard voices coming, and 1
heaved a sigh of relief as John Fleming
started up, looking through the window, and
then gave with his foot a stamp of vexation.
"Here's that lout Murray" he exclaimed
| 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 a start as he saw Fleming, and
then his frank, honest face twitched, and I
saw cold gray shadow cross it, and knew
that he was suffering intense pain.
"Ah FlemingW said uncle quietly "you
herep'
'Yes, Mr.. Wilmot," said Fleming, sml-
ing; "Tve brought you over the paper, that's
all. Just off. Good morning.-Good morn
ing, 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 short nod to Oliver
Murray, John Fleminggwent cut, while our
other visitor crossed to me, and shook hands
in 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 me ?-thoush, save in his grave,
gentle way, and little kindnesses, he had
never sworn it to me.
l could not help comparing the two men
the one, tall, handsome, and distingue; the
other, broad-shouldered and plain-as said
a few words distantly, in reply to his inqui-
ries; and l saw his lips culver as read him
through and through, as girl may read any
true, frank man; and he was saying to HIM
self, 'God bless her! may she be happy with
him." And then, in spite of my outer cold
ness, the throbbing of my heart began again,
as l could not help thinking how true and
earnest and tender was this grave, gray
eyed man towards the woman who he felt
had gone from him forever; and my heart
seemed to swell with great pity for one who
could be such gentleman at heart.
81 think you're right, Murray" said uncle.
tapping the glass again. ''She's gone down
again in the last hour or two, wonderful"
81 could hear the distant thunder as I
came across. said Oliver gazing at me the
while; "they're having heavy storm on the
hills, and thought I'd come aud warn you."
"Thanky, my lad, thanky," said uncle;
"we want water badly, but too much might
do us mischief; however, We'll be prepared
with open sluices, and the rest of it. Are
you busy?'
"No, SIR said Oliver; '1 came down pre-
pared to help"
'Thanky, my lad, thanky." said uncle.
MURRAY will have bit of dinner with us,
Nelly-but, hang it, man, what's the matter?
you look like SOMEBODY else. You were as
CHEEKY as cricket as we came"
l dare hardly glance at him, but did; and
I 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 piteous smile; 81 have been sur
prsed this morning, and after what said to
you, sir, it has come upon me like thuner-
clap. Pm not myself-I-Miss Wilmot,' he
said, making an effort over himself, and
speaking calmly,as he came to where Istood,
feeling achite now, and took my hand, eve
may be neighbors forever, so think it better
to speak out plainly-said some words to
youy uncle yesterday-in ignorance did
not know what l know now, Or l would not
have spoken. l meant to have-to have
asked you to be my wife, for 1 was blind to
everything-the fact that loved you very
dearly. Now it is all over, and 1 say-God
bless you! May you be very happyp
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
hiatt Io1 - L., H..
ped it, and stood gazing reverently at me, l
could hear no more but ran up stairs to throw
myself on the 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 soft,
tender, piteous eyes looking into mine, when
l started up awake to the fact that the room
looked very dark, that it was laundering
heavily, and there was the sound of rushing
| waters.
/ hastily bathed my eyes which were now
dazzled by the lightning, and smoothed my
hair, to 60 down and find no one below; but
out at the front the rain was coming down in
| a sheet, and the little river had swollen so
that its frothy surface was level with the foot
bridge.
ooh, miss, amt it awful ?" said voice at
my elbow masters at the mill with Mr..
Murray and the men, and they are afraid
SouOIhil VIII NC SWCp dWdy-Ou!
The girl-our maid-gave a shrek as a
vivid flash of lightning seemed to fill the
house: and for the next hour the lightning,
rain and thunder were incessant, though 1
never left the window for moment.
Once, in the midst of it all, Uncle and
Oliver Murray came running up from the
mill, drenched both of them to the skin, to
fetch screw-wrench and a couple
of crow-bars; and the water streamed
from them as they said few CHEEKY words,
telling me not to be afraid, and then ran
back.
Suddenly the storm seemed to be swept
back toward the hills, the rain ceased as if by
magic, the thunder grew more distant and
the lightning more rare; but as hastily tied
on hat and went out over the streaming
paths, the sight of the little river was now
terrific. The water was almost black, but
covered with foam as it rushed along. The
bridge was swept away, corn sheaves, dead
sheep, loose hay. and trees were being
whirled along, and if it went on swelling
could see that the mill would be in danger.
cab! Nelly dearestv' said voice, ''Ive
come to see if can be of any helps" and
turning, there stood John Fleming, well