Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1876-12-02

and protested that sne mad no tnougn
of marrying. But the blush had con
visted her in John Holt,s eyes an,
he scarcely heard . word that sh
sold.
Ut was Winter, and while the,
talked they were waiting, with half
dozen others, for . large sleigh tina
was coming to take them out to
party given by . friend seven o
eight miles off in the country. Ev
en- before Nelle's blush had faded
the trampling and jingling at the gat'
attracted their attention, and Alber
Lkighton put his head in at the doc
td call them. Bessie and her love
came forth from an adjoining room
another group came up from distan
window, and they all run gaily on
and bundled into their places.
The party passed of as such thing
usually do. All seemed to enjo.
themselves; Nellie was lovely as {
pink and full of mischief, Leighton
was attentive, and John Holt wa
cheerful and kind to everybody. HI
wis fully as quiet as usual, to be sure
add rather avoided Nellie Cramer
bit it is doubtful if any one but her
self noticed that.
1t was twelve o'clock when they
started to go home, and the moor
had set. At first their gaiety helC
out, but after a mile or so fatigue anG
want of sleep began to tell on them
and one by one they fell irto silence
;"John," Nellie said "there is JUS
room for me on the seat with you
May I come there? It is cold here.
He made room for her in silence
and she left her discounted escor,
and took her place next that strong
shoulder.
Then silence fell again; but after 9
waile, in the darkness, John Holt
wis aware of o light pressure agains,
his arm, when a soft plaintive whisper
stole into his ear. "I am so sleepy
John"
He turned q little-why not? They
were old friends-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 Low.
ing gratitude, Z" Nobody is so good
as you'll" she drew away, and took
Albert Leighton's hand to step out OF
her own door.
After q stir in his own mind, John
Holt concluded that Nellie and Al
bort 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 babbling.
when Spring came, for the first
time in his life John electrified his
friends. He was going to California.
The announcement was made quietly
but firmly, and he stood like a rock
against which expostulation beat
itaslf to spray. He gave good reasons
ahd resolutely maintained his right
I'd choose for himself.
"You have always said, mother.
that you wished I was more venture
some," he said. 81 am going to
please you now"
"But how is the farm to get
along without your"
"Frank understands everything
and can manage"
Mrs. Holt took courage, and,
breaking over some little awe which,
IA spite of her talk she felt for her
spn, spoke out:
John, has that Nell Cramer Tilted
ybnY
"Jilted mer he said, flushing as
rAuch with anger as with surprise.
( What do you mean, motherf We
have always been good friends, but
never any more. ! never gave her the
chance to jilt me-"
"Then why don't you give her the
chance p persisted his mother, who
did not choose to give up, now that
the ice was broken. " Nell lisa good
girl if she does Airt Q little. Ialways
thought that she liked you, only that
you were too slow to see it Then,
Nell has got q little sum of money of
her own that wouldn't be amiss.
+" You are entirely mistaken, moth
or. )" he said, decisiyely. s' Don't let
us say any more about it.
"Oh, you great foolr' muttered
the mother, looking after him as he
went out. s' Was there ever o man
80 blindP He is no more ft 70 live in
this world than an angel out Of heav-
en- is.
Then seeing Nellie Cramer passing
the street, she Lifted her voice and
called her in.
The girl came in, wondering at
such q peremptory summons.
"Come and sit by mel" command
ed the matron, and Nellie obeyed.
Mrs. Holt scanned her from head
to foot-the neat trim figure in its
snugly fitting palstot Of dark gray,
The green bonnet, that brought out
her fresh, clear color with q new lus-
ire, and the fair, bright face.
Did you know that our John was
going to CaliforniaY asked Mira. Holt,
abruptly, her keen eyes on the girls
face.
/ Ali the color faded ont Of it in an
instant, and Nsllie Cramef dropped
into . chair as'snai ienly . ifshe had
been shot. She aat thsre and looked
at the othsr with her strained eyes,
but said not : word. ,sH
z Ees, aeid Mn Halt unable "a
repre1 : i1s q - e9actioa = thin
prool e fhes 1ol1es n1ls q hsr snre
laiiae s ~ ss - Goine III aite