The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-09-21

He2 eolorS Wavered again in Joht
Hollis face, and he drew quick breath
Some impulse to speak seemed to come
upon him. Glancing up for bis answer
Nellie saw the change, and added
word:
"You see, John, 1 like Albert Leighton
better than I do James"
The color and light dropped out 70
his face again, and rim of even white
teeth pressed for an instant his unde
h ahTHsa why dohT y9}Ea3afT9a ABsr
tIseig ghtoa 81 NE asked, looking eips iInatt
TIE cree tAiiaAt tn II spread over his Head ane
reaching to break slender twig.
"He never asked me to-" she answered
demurely. n,,. ,r..z5s,
asked John, looking at her with glance
that might be called almost naughty.
How Low Gan l tell e. =, Nellie epeatssad.IE n sa Z
yEuld rather wait to- be asked, ,sL think
eff you want my advice, I will give it,
John said, twisting and flinging away
the little twig in his hand. "If you like
Albert, don't keep James in suspense
You have no right to do it. You CAM
seriously think of marrying one man
when you prefer another. If Albert
likes YOU, ,eas 7 believe he does3 takeih him
He's good fellow"
"Yea thiukao2ni the girl said; hooking
up suddenly.
'"I think so," he repeated, turning
away. "Now let's 60 up to the house. y
She rose and walked quietly BY, bis
side, her fair igirlish face little pale
her eyes downcast. At the gate she
stopped; :.
low tone. II will go home"
He merely bowed, and looking hack
after 'few steps, she saw thathe hadnot
entered the house, but was stealing OF
toward thesbarn: Es2f : HHO {
The next week James Lee commenced
violent Irritation with Bessie Holt
-5ohn's sister, and in a month the two
we're, engaged, Nellie, laughed, ,and
Mrhedt6e light Of her Smiles upon AL
bert Leighton, a handsome, dashy fellow,
who had been crazy about Lee for the
last six months. John Holt said moth.
ing but was rather cool abous bis sisters
engagement. - E,.:,,
him." Nellie whispered mischiey eyolsly
II hope he ists ularrying SISTER
out of pique toward you ~ .said,
coldly. eff ISdsidn,t thinE Bessie loyed
him too well togise him would Y asg!eS tsll
'S'. aAud Ibslray ny conssid ! 3 John John
Holt" Nellie exciaimed.aI tell You, he
is like mostsaf you mem parely selfish.
He didn't cure aS fg about me. = think
he seems To- like Bessie:
"When are: You going to besmaT Tied.2sss 3
he asked, abruptly. ~ ,'ss.ssss5s i
The question came sosuddenly that for
once the gfrtrlost her. composure. a
crimson blush swept over her face, and
she dropped her eyes without being able
to speak a word.
yShe fscoyeFed hsFsel fid minute, and
protested That she bad no thought Of
marrying. But the blush had convicted
her in John Hollis eyes, and he scarcely
heard'a word that she said. '.Sii'''"f' so
It was winter and while they talked
they were waiting, with halfsa dozen
others, for large sleigh that was coming
to take: them out to party. given 6y
q friend seven or eight miles off in the
country. Even before Nellie's blush had
faded, the trampling and jingling at the
pata attractetf their attention, and Albert
Leighton put his head in at the door to
call them. Bessie and her lover came
forth from ah adl l6ining room lother
group dame Cup from adistant Windows
andEhey Erau gaygs ont and bundled
Tbespaftyspassed M Il q of Is such things
usually do. lis seemed to segjoy them
selves swaSS lovely asa :Pinksand
full of MSS leigh lonswas attentive,
and John Holt twas cheerful and kind to
everybody.i He was fully Cas quiet as
usual, to be sure, and rather avoided
Nellie Cramer, bptit is doubtful if any
one But herself noticed that.
1t was twelve o'clock when they started
TO; go, home, ,eandIhe moon had lset. At
first their gayety held out, but after a
mile or so fatigue and want of sleep be:
gun @ fell onst them, and ;oile BY onetbey
fell into silence.
q"John," Nellie said, "there is just room
for me on the seat with you. May l
I come there? It is so 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 q
while, in. the darkness John Holt was
aware Of light pressure against bis arm,
then soft, plaintive whisper stole into
II am SO sleepy, Johu!'
he turned little-why not? They
were-old friends-and lifted his arm to
the baek,ofthe seat, took the head softly
and tenderlysto histbosom.if And so she
lay in that faithful and tender clasp till
they drew near home; then, with one
whispered word of loving gratitude
t.Nobody is so good AS you !" she drew
away, andtook Albert aLeighton's hand
to step out at her own door.
After q stir in his own mind, John
Holt concluded that. Nellie and Albert
Rad quarseled,. He: sighed, since. .lshe
could not hear, and so be annoyed, 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 announce.
ment was made quietly but firmly, and
he stood like q rock against which ex-
postnlation beat itseHt to spray. He gave
good reasons, and resolutely maintained
his right to choose for himself.
"You have always said, mother, that
you wished Iawere more 'venturesome, p
he Said. @~'I am going to please you,
now" >
"But how is the farm to get along
without you ?" she objected. :.
Crank 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