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

pique some other lover, or when she
wanted some real service, that she went
to John, who was sometimes pleased
and sometimes hurt to see that she came
to him only when she wanted help or ad-
vice.
You are sort of grandfather, you
know" she said one day, giving his arm
a squeeze. 81 have an idea that you are
about seventy-fve years old. How old
are you, John ?"
"I am just one-third of that, he said,
smiling. "I am only a month past
twenty five"
POSSIBLE Well, you must have
been very old when you were born.
Besides, twenty-five is old to me. 1 am
only nineteen. Now, you come and
hear my story and tell me what to do.
I came over here on purpose to see
YOU"
John followed her obediently through
the garden, and down to bench under
the shadow of the beech grove on the
he leaned against the trunk of tree
and waited, looking down on her.
"You see, John," she begun, GIVE
had an Offer"
John Holt was tanned that summer,
but through the brownness one might
have seen q faint blush run over his
face. Nellie didn't see it, for she was
looking down and rolling her apron tas
sells, very bright color in her own
face.
There was moments silence after
| hot ha
was expected to say something, John
presently said /" Yes"
Nellie gave her shoulders an impa-
tient shrug, and looked up. "It's a
very good offer" she went on. 81 sup
pose you will guess from whom. It is
James Lee. I told him 1 would think
about it, and tell him my decision to-
morrow. Now, he's very we'll off, you
know, and when his father dies he will
be rich. But then, of course, there's
no hurry about that. But the trouble
is this, James will live all bis days in
Riceville, am positive; and that is
dreadful. You know I want to live in q
city, and want my husband to make a
figure in the world. And James, why,
James is almost as much of deacon as
you are"
"You are complimentary" observed
John Holt, with a certain quiet dignity.
The blush had quite gone from his
face, and some of the BROWNIES seemed
to have gone, too; for he looked slight
ly pale.
"Oh, don't mean any harm, you
cross fellow" Nellie said, hastily.
| 7 r,N1o
did,"
"I am much obliged to you," he
said, with q stiffness which was quite
new to his manner.
"Oh, if you don't want to advise me,
[ WON'T trouble you," the girl flung
out, rising in a pet.
"Come back, Nellie" he said, kindly.
81 am not cross. Only tell me what
you want"
She seated herself again with little
culver in her lip.
'I want you to tell me whatyou hink
of James Lee. Tell me if you think
I'd better marry him. Tell me if you
think he cares enough for me to go Just
where l say, and live where wish.
The color wavered again in John
Hollis face, and he drew quick breath.
Some impulse to speak seemed to come
upon him. Glancing up for his answer,
Nellie saw the change, and added a
word:
"You see, John, like Albert Leigh
ton better than I do James"
The color and light dropped out of
his face again, and q rim of even white
teeth pressed for an instant his under
lip.
"Then why don't you marry Albert
Leighton2" he asked, looking up into
the tree that spread over his head, and
reaching to break slender twig.
He never asked me to-, she answer
ed, demureIy.
81 suppose he means to, doesn't he?"
asked John, lookingat her with glance
that might be called almost naughty.
"How can I tell ?" Nellie pouted.
"Men ara SO queer. The most of them
would rather wait to be asked, think. !"
"If you want my advice, I will give
it," John said, twisting and finging
away the little twig in his hand. "If
you like Albert, don't keep James in sus-
pense. You have no right to do it. You
can't seriously think of marrying one
man when you prefer another. If Albert
likes you, as / believehe does, take i'm.
He's good fellow"
9" You think so9" the girl said, look
ing up suddenly.
II think So" he repeated, turning
away, "Now let's coup to the house. !"
She rose and walked quietly by his
side, her fair, girlish face little pale,
her eyes downcast. At the gate she
stopped.
81 will not go in now," she said, in a
low tone. "I will go home"
He merely bowed, and looking back
after few steps, she saw that he had
not entered the house, but was stealing
off toward the barn.
The next week James Lee commenced
q violent Irritation with Bessie Holt.
Johns sister, and in q month the two
were engaged. Nellie laughed, and
turned the light of her smiles upon Al
bert Leighton, handsome, dashy fell
low, who had been crazy about Lee for
the last six months. John Holt said
nothing, but was rather cool about his
sisters engagement.
"You see, suspense would have killed
him." Nellie whispered, mischievously.
:" hope he isn't marrying my sister
out of pique toward you," John said,
coldly. "If I didn't think Bessie loved
him too well to give him up, wouldtell
her,"
"And betray my confidence, John
Holt" Nellie exclaimed. al tell you,
he is like most of you men-purely sell
fish. He didn't care fig about me.
think he seems to like Bessie"
"When are Won going TO be mar