The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1876-10-27
Nellie looked up in astOnishment at

advertisement. | neither expected nor |
wished to see you. Nay, sir, any expla-
nation of your conduct is unnecessary |
Allow me to take my leave. I wish |
you good morning !"
And, with a dignified bow, Nellie |
passed from the room.
Scarcely, however, had she reached
the front door ere a mist seemed to come
before her eyes, and losing ali her
strength, she would have fallen to the
ground had not Harcourt, who had fol-
lowed her from the room, supported
her.
The fresh air and the knowledge of
her position brought her to herself once
more.
Coloring deeply, she gently removed
his arm, but as she did so staggered and
almost fell again.
Offering his arm, Harcourt said, "Al-
low me to see you to a cab, Miss May"
"Thank your replied Nellie, CRATE
full for his assistance. 'I have not been
very we'll lately, and the sight of Mr..
Maiden recalled some unpleasant recol-
! lections."
Calling a four-wheeler in Flat street,
Harcourt carefully handed her in, and
still more carefully did he note down the
address which she gave the driver.
About fortnight previous to the in
sertion of the advertisement, Mrs.
Richards, widowed sister of Mr.. May,
wrote and invited Nellie to spend a few
weeks with her.
AS Mr.. May had noticed that his
daughter had lost her color, and had not
appeared very well lately, he accepted
his sisters invitation with gratitude,
opI Na1Iia vf,oc 1iopotobaJ IN 70 "a
While staying with her aunt, she had
observed the announcement, and acting
upon Mrs. Richards advice, had deter
mined to apply for the situation, with
the result related.
The next morning, about twelve
o'clock, as Mrs. Richards was employed
with some needle work, and Nellie was
at the piano, the servant of all work
opened the door and said "Please, marin,
here's a gentleman wants to see Miss
May"
And closely following his announce
ment, in walked Arthur Harcourt, who,
bowling to both ladies, turned to Nellie
with a smile, and said:
"You must pardon my intrusion, Miss
May; but l could not resist calling to
inquire after your health, and also to
explain and apologize for the cruel hoax
of which you were yesterday the
victim"
He then proceeded to relate how NAL
den and himself had fabricated the ad-
vertisement that had attracted her.
By the time he had brought his visit
to a conclusion, Mrs. Richards had dis
covered that she had formerly been ac-
quinted with Mrs. Harcourt, Arthur S
mother; so, when he rose to take his
leave, he received an invitation from
the elder lady to repeat his visit, which,
if eyes speak the truth, was certainly
not negatived by the younger.
On his return to Essex Court, Har-
court found Maiden seated in his arm
, chair, enjoying a cigar, to which be had
, helped himself from the box on table.
J Walking up to the fireplace, Harcourt
leaned against the chimney piece, and
; steadily observing the smoker, observed;
81 have but now returned from Miss
, Nays, where 1 have been to apologize
for yesterdays business"
90! been to see little Nellie, have
! you ?'' replied Maiden, with indiffer.
ence. "Ah, she's not bad sort, but al
awful fool. I had great fun with hel
/ down in the country, but l soon got
! tired of her she's much too attentive
J you know. She"
Hareourt sprang forward, and will
! his expressive features working with ex
= citement, exclaimed: "Silence, sir 4; i
you say another word against that cir
, I'll pitch you neck and crop out of the
window w
For moment Maiden gazed at hi,
companion in astOnishment but ht
= looked so thoroughly in earnest that ht
) saw he was not to be played with
! So, with tinge of sarcasm in his tone
} be quietly observed: "Really, Arthur
/ 1 was not aware the fair one had so We
! hement a champion. l should have
been more careful in what I said"
, "Aud advise you to be more circum
? spect in the future, Mr.. Maiden.
"Ha, ha, ha % laughed Maiden, as b.
q slowly rose and commenced putting oil
Y his gloves. "How the fellows at tn
club will laugh at the idea Of"
}, Harcourt frowned and interruptet
: him, saying, 81 warn you once for all
Maiden. If l hear you have been utter
D! ing word respecting either Miss Ma.
D or myself, Ill give you the soundes
g thrashing man ever had"
: 1t was about three months after Har
s courts first visit to Mr.. Richards tha
It he and Nellie were seated together il
e the drawing-room. Harcourt had onl,
: just arrived.
81 am sorry, Mr.. Harcourt," observe
e Nellie, "but my aunt has gone ou
y shopping, and will not return for
y couple of hours"
n "And 1; on the contrary, am please
to hear it, Miss May; for it gives me a
:. opportunity of asking you a question.
e "Indeed p' replied Nellie, innocently
q 81 shall be most pleased to reply if
k be in my power"
at is in your power" said Harcourt
: and then, seating himself beside her, b
u took her hand, and continued "Eve
since first saw you, Nellie, hav
!. loved you, and my affection has in
= creased day by day and now 1 want t
it ask you if you can reciprocate the feel
= ing sufficiently to give me this dear lii
:, tie hand-to become my wife ? You
/ not reply,n continued he. MAY 1 TAX
II silence for consent ?"
"But will you take me after what
t, told you passed between Mr.. Malde
,r and myself?"
Eyes, undoubtedly I will ~ exclaIu
" ed he. "Only say that you love me |!
l. 81 do ~ replied Nellie, softly ian
II and you have made me very happy
'e When Mrs. Richards returned froI
s. shopping, she was not a trifle scanda
lied to discover her niece reclining in
r gentleman's arms.
E. But while Nellie ran away upstair
II Iun1 i1n1 4 -, Ii l., s,