The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-08-30

breath Some impulse to speak seem
ed to come upon him. Glancing up
for his answer, Nellie saw the change,
and added word:
"You see, John, | like Albert
Leighton better than ! do James"
The color and light dropped out Of
his face again, and rim of even
white teeth pressed for an instant his
under lip.
"Then why don't YOU marry Al
bert leighton" he asked, looking up
into the tree that spread over his
head, and reaching to break slender
twig
"he never asked me to-" she au-
swered, denurely.
81 suppose be means to, doesn't
he?" asked John, looking at her with
a glance that might be called almost
naughty.
"How can | telI?" Nellie pouted.
"Men are so queer The most of
them would rather wait to be asked,
think
''If you want my advice, | will
give it" John said twisting and fling
ing away the little twig in his band.
"If you like Albert, don't keep James
Lee in suspense. You have no right
/ to do it. You can't seriously think
of marrying one man when you pre-
fer another. If Albert likes YOU, as
I believe he does, take him. He's q
good fellow"
you think so ?" the girl said look
ing up Suddenly
Il think So" he repeated, turning
away. "Nowlet 60 Up to the house"
She rose and walked quietly up by
ais side, her fair, girlish face little
pale, her eyes downcast. At the
gate she stepped
81 will not go in, now" she said,
in Low tone II will go home"
He merely bowed, aud looking back
after few steps she saw that be bad
not entered the house, but was steal
ing of toward the harm
The next week james Lee com
merced q violent Irritation with Bes-
sic Holt, Johns sister. aud in month
the two were engaged. Nellie laugh
ed and turned the light Of her smiles
upon Albert Leighton, handsome,
dasby fellow, who bad been crazy
about L. e for the last six months
John Holt said nothing, but was
rather cool aboct his sisters engage
ment
"You see. suspense would have
killed him." Nellie whispered, mis-
chievously
Il hope he isn't marrying nay sis
ter out of pique toward YOU john
said, coldly. "If didn't think Bessie
loved him too well to give him up,
ia tell her,"
And betray my confidence, John.
I Holt, " Nellie exclaimed Il tell you,
he is like most of you men-purely
selfish. He didn't care a fig about
me- | think be seems TO like Bessie"
When are you going to be mar
ried?" he asked abruptly.
The question came 50 suddenly
that for once the girl lost her compo-
sure A crimson blush swept over
her face, and she dropped her eyes
without being able TO speak word.
OF course, she recovered herself in
q minute, and protested that she had
no thought Of marrying. Any woman
would have done the same But the
blush had convicted her in John
Holt eyes, and be scarcely heard a
word that she said
1t was Winter, ana while they
talked they were waiting, with half
a dozen others. for large sleigh that
was coming to take them out to a
party given by friend seven or eight
miles olrin the country. Even before
Nellie's blush had faded. the tramp
ling and jingling at the gate attracted
their attention, and Albert Leighton
put his head in at the door to call
them. Bessie and her lover came
forth from an adjoining room, anothsr
group came up from a distant window,
and they all ran gaily out and bun
died into their places.
The party passed of as such Things
usually do. All seemed to enjoy
themselves; Nellie was lovely as
pink and full OF mischief, Leighton |
was attentive, and John Holt was
cheerful and kind to every body. He
was fully as quiet as usual, to be sure, /
and rather avoided Nellie Cramer,
but it is doubtful if any one but her
self noticed that
1t was twelve o'clock when they
started to go home, and the moon
had set. At first their gayety held
out, but after mile or SO fatigue and
want of sleep began to tell upon
them, and one by one they fell into
silence.
John Nellie said, there is just
room for me on the seat with you.
May / come there? 1t is cold here
He made room for her in silence,
and she left her discomfited escort and
took her place next that strong shoul-
der.
Then silence fell again; but after a
while, in the darkness, John Holt
was aware of alight pressure against
his arm then soft, plaintive whisper
stole into his ear
Il am so sleepy, john"
He turned a little-why not? They /
were old friends-and lifted his arm
TO the back of the seat, took the head
softly and teHderly to his bosom. And
so she lay in that faithful and tender
clasp till they drew near home; then,
with one whispered word Of loving
gratitude. Nobody is so good as
you!" she drew away, and took Al
bert Leighton's hand TO step out at
her own door /,
After stir in his own mind, John
Holt concluded that Nellie and AL ,
bert had quarreled He sighed, since
she could not hear, and so be annoy
ed, pitied the girl, and then went
steadily about his work The waters
Of his soul were too deep for bab-
bling.
When Spring came, for the first {
time in his life John electrified his ;
friends lie was going to California !
The aunOuncpmanf was made uuietly I