The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-10-19
and agreeable, and even Aunt Mary began
to like him better than she could have ever
helieyed would be the case

MS leSuTc uOWn>StiirS, anu mus II came 10
pass that very soon he began to employ all
of it there. Sometimes he acted little
oddly: but Nellie said it was the ecentriei-
ty of genius, which explanation her aunt
accepted as satisfactory. And so the time
went on-for Nellie glorious dream.
The peri odical Eruption of John Mortimer
were the only disagreable phrses. for John
was jealous. Nellie had been his afianced
for two years-an interval of laborious
pecuniary accumulation on his part-and
this constant association with Mr.. Clelmont
was not relished by John at all He hated
the author and the author despised hi,a.
Mr.. Chelmont soon made himself known
in all the families for ten miles around. Ey
means of tact and address he gotup gaeat
many social gatherings, and was the lion at
all. He appeared to forget all about the
quiet and retirement he had come to a ball
or party two or three nights each week.
''Time,'' as she often said, ssseemed to fly
like the wind "
One evening John Mortime's Jealousy
reached crisis. He brought Miss Jennie
Bell to party where Nellie was to be with
her usual attendant, hoping to irritate his
bethrothed into some decided actien. He
succeeded; but in a very unexpected man
ner, for Nellie, with contemptuous laugh,
said -
ssJohn you are only making goose of
yourself. l don't care pin whom you firt
with"
He saw that she was speaking truth, and
the next minute, with rare dignity, re-
piled:
Nellie, you are right. have been play
ing the fool, it is true. l love you-God
knows l do-better than my life; but you
care no longer for me. Mr.. Chelmont has
won you from me. Something tells me to
warn you against that man but shall not
trouble you with my advice, except to take
proper care Of yourself"
That very same night, coming home, MIR.
| Chelmont declared his passion, laid his
heart and fortune such as it was-(he did
| not know how much, he said-at Miss Tyr
rel's feet She accepted him, and it was
the happiest hour of her life.
| A little while afterward Mr. Chelmont's
| book was finished. He announced that he
vas obliged to 60 to town to put it to
press.
mo end of bore. my darling" he re-
marked to poor Nellie, pale and crying;
.but such things are inexorable as fate.
shall return as soon as | can, and you may
expect a letter from me every day"
The next morning-train bore him away,
and as he passed Chestnut Farm in the
train, he maved his handkerchief from the
window; and, for the first time, Nellie felt
an interest in the cars that SO regularly
sped by to and from the city of A..
Then came the old dead blank again
To Nellie the reaction was terrible There
were no more parties no delicious love-
making, nothing but dead calm.
Mr.. Chelmont did not write so regularly
as he had promised nor were hisletters very
long He said tina; business took up
nearly all his time, but soon he hoped for
better things; and this, with many ardent
protestations of love, was the burden of all
his correspondence.
John Mortimer came TO the farm some
times, but Nellie was very cool to him, and
he seemed almost as miserable as herself.
After some weeks he unexpectedly
stopped on his way from the vilag with a
letter. Nellie recognized the handwriting
and tore it open with beating heart. 1t
ran thus
My DARLISG--Look for me every day
This is the last word you shall have from
me until we are face to face l..
She watched as patiently as the unhappy
Mariana in her moated grange When he
came he would take her away from this
horrible place, and they would be married
and she would never set eyes upon the
scenes of her wretchedness again. She
counted the very minutes
| But after many more tresome DAYS the
torture of delay grew unenduraple. Spring
had come, and al nature was lovely as it
rose out of the winters slumber Nellie
found no charm on it for her. but .hudder-
ed with disgust.
One beautiful afternoon she was sitting
on the porch. melancholy an angry. and
John Mortimer, full of pity and affection
stood by her. Her little brother Frank
was there, too. and, breaking long silence
he said -
Nellie, why are you always SO cross -
because am tired to death. Oh how
| detes, this dull place, | do wish some
thing awful would happen, jus; to create an
excitement and give us change
Nothing very awful could happen here
about. Nellie" sighed John. rueiully. as if
he would like to get up an earthquake. or
something equally terrible, for her special
qualification.
| NO" snapped the young lady: I'VE
can't even have railroad>accident. The
trains have been running By here for ten
years, and never yet have they failed to
pass on time 10 the very minute do wish
somebody would put something on the track
anil throw the next train OF,
..Nellie.r cried John, much shocked.
She laughed and blushed, and perhaps
regretted that silly speech. and penitently
began TO be more agreeable. She even Of
fered to go into the parlor. and sing Johns
favorite ballad for him. He insisted eager
~, and presently Was in the Seventh heaven
as he leaned upon the old piano and list
ened TO his darling's angelic music
In the midst Of one of Nellie's songs she
and her companion were both startled by
the sudden and shrill screaming Of loco>
motive whistle
White. tremulous. and with beating
hearts, they ran quickly out upon the porch
Suffering such anguish Of fright rs people
feel but once in . life time, and without
knowing for what reason. they instinc'iveiy
glanced up the railroad track
The train Was smashing down the rails
again Direct Y in the nafh Of the engine