Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1876-08-26

they were waiting, with half dozen
others, for large sleigh that was com
ing to take them out to a party given by
a friend seven or eight miles off in the
country. Even before Nellie's blush
had faded, the trampling and jinglng at
the gate attracted their attention, and
Albert Leighton put his head in at the
door to call them. Bessie and her lover
come forth from an adjoining room, an
other group came up from a distant win
dow, and they all ran gayly out and bun
died into their places.
The party passed off as such things
usually do. All seemed to enjoy them
selves; Nellie was lovely as a pink and
full of mischief, Leighton was attentive,
and John Holt was cheerful and kind to
everybody. He was fully as quiet as
usual, to be sure, and rather avoided
Nellie Cramer, but it is doubtful if any
one but herself noticed that.
1t was twelve o'clock when they start
ed to go home, and the moon had set.
At first their gayety held out, but after
a mile or so fatigue and want of sleep
begun to tell on them, and one by one
they fell into silence.
"John," Nellie said, "there is just
room for me on the seat with you. May
1 come there2 1t is cold here"
He made room for her in silence, and
she left her discounted escort and took
her place next that strong shoulder.
Then silence fell again; but after a
while, in the darkness, John Holt was
aware of light pressure against his
arm, then soft, plaintive whisper stole
into his ear.
81 am so sleepy, John |"
He turned o little-why not2 They
were old triends-and lifted his arm to
the back of the seat, took the head
softly and tenderly 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 Albert
Leighton's hand to step out at her own
door.
After a Stir in his own mind, John
Holt concluded that Nellie and Albert
had quarreled. He sighed, since she
could not hear, and so beannoyed, pitied
the girl, and then went steadily about
his work. The waters of his soul were
too deep for babbling.
When spring came, for the first time
in his life John electrified his friends.
He was going to California. The an
nouncement was made quietly but firm
ly, and he stood like rock against
which expostulation beat itself to spray.
He gave good reasons, and resolutely
maintained his right to choose for him
self.
{" You have always said, mother, that
you wished l were more venturesome, :"
he said. "I am going TO please yon,
now."
"But how is the farm to get along
without you ?" she objected.
"Frank understands everything, and
can manage"
Mrs. Holt took courage, and, break
ing over some little awe which, in spite
of her talk, she felt for her son, spoke
out :
"John, has that Nell Cramer Tilted
you?"
"Jilted me |" he said, flushing as
much with anger as with surprise.
"What do you mean, mother? We
have always been good friends, but
never any more. I never gave her the
chance to jilt me-"
"Then why don't you give her the
chance9" persisted his mother, who did
not choose to give up, now that the ice
was broken. "Nell is q good girl, if
she does firt little. I always thought
that she liked you, only that you were
too slow to see it. Then, Nell has got a
little sum of money of her own that
wouldn't be amiss." ......
"You are entirely mistaken, mother" "
he said, decisively. "Don't let us say
any more about it, ....sr
ooh, you great fool !" muttered the
mother, looking after him as he went
out. "Was there ever man so blind !
He is no more fit to live in the world
than an angel out of heaven is"
Then, seeing Nellie Cramer passing
the street, she lifted her voice and called
her in.
The girl came in, wondering at such a
peremptory summons.
Come and sit by me |" commanded
the matron, and Nellie obeyed.
Mrs. Holt scanned her from head to
foot, the neat, trim figure in it's snugly
fitting paletot of dark gray, the green
bonnet, that brought out her fresh, clear
color with new luster, and the fair,
bright face.
"Did you know that our John is
going to California;" asked Mrs. Holt,
abruptly, her keen eyes on the girls
face.
All the color faded out of it in an in
stant, and Nellie Cramer dropped into
chair as suddenly as il she had been
shot. She sat there and looked at the
other with her strained eyes, but said no
| word.
eyes," said Mrs. Holt, unable to re-
press slight smile of satisfaction al
this proof of the correctness of her sur
misc; "yes, he's set on ding in spite Of
all l can say. He is going in a month
or six weeks. Let me see; this is the
middle of April. He says he shall start
by the first of June, at furthest."
That smile of Mrs. Hollis was an un.
fortunate one. Nellie had always feared
those sharp eyes, and now the thought
flashed into her mind that Johns moth.
OF WAS Trying TO expose ana mOfJi1y ner
A woman's pride will do a good deal fol
her, even when her heart is breaking
1t brought the color to her face again
and strengthened her trembling limbs
It steadied her voice and her eyes. Mrs
Holt was puzzled and Disconnected by
the sudden change.
&c am SO sorry9" Nellie said, in {
tone of fearless regret. "We can scarce
ly get along without John. He seems
such standby. But men ought not tc
be tied at home, think. If they chose
to go, they should be allowed their owl
wav nhera he is now in thn crnrdnn 4