Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1876-09-08

had not been without weight Women IN
derstand each other Could it be possible!
and there was Nellie coming down the
walk. Her head was erect, and her face
perfectly composed, though slightly pale.
II am so sorry" she began. Your
mother has been telling me of your plans.
Of course. you know best what is good for
you, and have been telling her to let you
have your own way. But we shall all be
sorry to lose you, John.'
That was all. He gave a last grasp at
his self-command, and held it, There was
a short, formal conXersatieaJl both SO en-
gagged in making psstense- Of being kind
and friendly, and jusGas usual, that each
could not perceive that the other was also
making a pretense; and four week after,
they pasted with tolerable composure, and
John Holt went to California.
He stayed there five years, and sent his
mother her gold spoon. He stayed three
years longer, and then came home himself.
Nellie was Nellie Cramer still, they told
him and was much sobered. Soma way
she hadn't seemed to care much about fllrt
ing for several years. Her father and mo-
ther were dead, and she was keeping house
for an unmarried brother. There were
hints that the new minister went to see her
very often, but Mrs. Holt didn't believe
that Nellie would look at him.
John listened, and when evening came
took his hat and went out for a walk. No
one but his own family as yet knew of his
return, and he was resolved to see himself
the effect of his coming on Nellie, The
soft spring twilight was settling down
when he reached her house, and as he
walked quietly up the path, slight figure
sat in win dow, looking out, singing low
ly to herself in a mournful reverie. She
did not see him, but when he came nearer
he saw her face clearly. The round out
lines and bright color were gone, but he
was forced to own that she had grown far
more beautiful. The chastened luster of
the eyes, the firmer, sweeter closing of the
mouth. the purer and more perfect out
lines-all belonged to one who had eaten
of the bread of sorrow, and had, found
blessing in it's bitterness.
Something swept over his heart with
passionate force-some regret, some long
ing, he scarce knew what. If he had.suf-
fered at losing.her eight years before. he
felt that such a loss now would kill him.
He quietly entered the open door, paused
on the threshold of the room where she sat
alone. She still sung softly, but as he
looked, stopped, sighed, and became silent,
''Nellie!" he would have said, but his
voice was only whisper.
He went forward into the shadowy
room.
''Is it you, james," she said. half turn
ing, expecting her brother.
John took a step nearer, and this time
his voice did not fail.
s'NeIlie"
She started, half rose, hesitated, then,
as he took one step nearer, sprung with a
a glad cry into his extended armes.
II thought you never would come
John!" she sobbed.
''Were you waiting for me'?" he asked.
''Did you care for me before 1 went
away?"
'Then and always, John. How could
you be so blind?''
John Holt smoothed her hair tenderly,
for one moment of silence; then exclaimed,
as though some great truth had suddenly
dawned upon him.
81 deserved it! I always thought them
wrong, but they were right. I was, indeed
a great fool ~