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
believed would be the case

to IKE him better than she could have ever
believed would be the case.
She encouraged him to spend more Of
his leisure downstairs, and thus it came to
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 periodical Eruption of John Mortimer
were the only disagreable phrses. for John
was jealous. Nellie had been his af6aneed
for two years-an interval of laborious
pecuniary accumulation on his part-and
this constant association with Mr.. Clelmont
was not relisbed by John at all. He hated
the author and the author despised him.
Mr.. Chelnsont soon made himself known
in all the families for ten miles around. Ey
means of tact and address he got up gaeat
many social gatherings, and was the lion at
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 o very unexpected man
ner, for Nellie, with a contemptuous laugh,
said -
''J"hn you are only making goose of
yourself. Idon't care a pin whom you flirt
with
He saw that she was speaking truth, and
the next minute, with rare dignity, re-
piled:
Nellie, you are right. Ihave been play
ing the fool, it is true. I 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, Mr.
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.
little while afterward Mr.. Chelmont's
book was finished. He announced that he
was obliged to 60 to town TO put it to
press.
"No end of bore. my darling" he re-
marked to poor Nellie, pale and crying;
'.but such things are memorable as fate
I shall return as soon as can, and you may
expect o 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 his letters very
long. He said that 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 villag with q
letter. Nellie recognized the handwriting.
and tore it open with beating heart. It
ran thus:-
| .'MY DARLING--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, aud 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 tiresome days the
torture Of delay grew unenduraple. Spring
had come, aud all nature was lovely rs it
rose out Of the winters slumber. Nellie
found no charm on il for her, but shudder-
ed with disgust.
| One beautiful afternoon she was sitting
on the porch, melancholy an angry. aud
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
I detest this dull place! l do wish some
thing awful would happen, just to create An
excitement and give US . change"
| Nothing very awful could happen here
about, Nellie sighed John, ruefully, as if
he would like TO get up an earthquake. or
something equally terrible, for her special
qualification.
No." snapped the young lady: 1--WE
| 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 to the very minute. do wish
somebody would put something on the track
and throw the next train Cd,
"Nelliel" 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 60 into the parlor, and sing Johns
favorite ballad for him. He insisted eager
y. and presently was in the Seventh heaven
- he leaned upon the old piano and list
ened to his darliag's angelic music.
In the midst Of one Of Nellie's songs she
and her companion were both startled BY
the suddea and sArill screaming Of loce>
motive whistle.
White, tremulous, and with beating
hearts. they ran quickly ont upes The porch.
Suffering such anguish Of fright - people
feel bat once in life time, and without