Middletown transcript., 1877-06-09

: the purchase of the lumber to the crit
icism Of the finished work. She had {
nicety of touch that detected the slight
est inequalities of surface even in pol
ished wood, and her eye was at onct
quick and correct. Little by little
almost unconsciously, John Somervillt
trusted Nellie with much of the deci
sion in purchases, and the book-keep
ing was often in her care for weeks to
gether, when there was a pressure 0.
work. Mrs. Somerville whined anC
fretted over the strangely masculine
tastes of her child, but her father be
came more and more averse to parting
with her in business hours.
Two years after Nellie returned from
school, and just after her tweDty-first
birthday, she started one morning, as
seen in the opening Of my story, to look
at some patterns to be sent for deei-
sion. Such matters were often en-
trusted entirely to her judgment, SO
she was not surprised to find her father
had gone out, leaving the decision to
her. But after she had given the
order, had answered lot of letters
lying upon the desk, had wandered all
over the building and returned again
to the office, she was surprised at her
fathers long absence.
One of the foremen in the finishing
department, coming to the office for
some last orders about the shipment of
some goods, said Mr.. Somerville had
appointed to meet him there at noon,
and the proprietor Of Somerville &
Sons frame factory was man Of rigid
punetuality.
Ten, fifteen, twenty minutes Stephen
Holton waited in the office, watching
Nellie's busy hand as she folded, sealed
and directed a lot of circulars, and
thinking that never had he seen face
so fair, or heard a voice so clear and
musical as Nellie Somerville's. But as
the clock struck the halfhour, Nellie
looked up with startled face.
Something has happened, Stephen"
she said 'my father is never half an
hour behind time. Send some one to
look for him."
"The men are all at dinner, Miss
Nellie, | will 60 myself"
But, even as he spoke, a messenger
hurriedly entered the office, saying -
"Mr. Somerville was thrown from
his horse while on his way here from
the village, and is badly injured"
"Where ?" broke from Nellie's white
lips.
1--WE took him home, and he asked
me to come here for you"
Even in her horror and grief Nellie
retained some presence of mind. Look
ing into Stephen Holton's grave, sym
pathizing face, she said =
"You will take charge here until
you hear from my father. | will be
responsible"
8Thank you," he said, deeply moved
by her confidence m him at such a
time. 81 will try to do my duty"
4 am sure Of that" she answered,
and extended her hand.
Two minutes later she was hurrying
homeward. None too soon was her
clear head and quiet resolution brought
to bear upon the excited household
Her mother was in Mysteries, the ser
wants bustling here and there purpose
less and terrified and her father lying
upon the bed in the hands of surgeon
and two gentlemen who had assisted in
bringing him home.
There was plenty to do. In less time
than would seemed possible, the ser
wants were in their proper places, Mrs.
Somerville quieted, and Nellie, white
as a sheet but perfectly tranquil, ac-
lively engaged in waiting upon the
surgeon.
The weary hours that followed taxed
every nerve of the girls frame, but she
bore the strain bravely; and when the
surgeon led her to the drawing-room,
he felt a deep respect for the girl who
had so nobly crushed back all selfish
sorrow to aid her father in his agony.
Giving her a glass Of water, and
making her rest quietly for a few min
utes, he watched her face till the drawn
Of every feature relaxed, and |
the strained eyes looked piteously into
his own.
"That is BETTER" he said kindly
"You may cry now"
Nellie's lips quivered.
"You have something to tell me ?"
eyes. Are you strong enough to
hear it?'
"That he will die? Oh, say he will
not diep'
'The injuries are not fatal. Your
father may live for years"
Nellie's tears fell fast now.
"But," the doctor continued, che |
will never be able to walk again. The |
injury to the spine will keep him a
cripple for life.
Never walk againl While Nellie !
sobbed out her anguish in the drawing
room, John Somerville, unconscious Of
the dread fiat that had gone forth,
slept under the influence of powerful
oplate.
For many days the two women who
loved him had no thought for anything
but the strong man stricken down in
the prime of his life, needing care like
a little child. Under the influence Of
a real sorrow the crust Of selfshness
melted from the wife's heart, and she
became a devoted nurse, forgetting the
fancied ailments she had nursed for
years, in ministering to her husband,
as he lay helpless and suffering.
But there came day when John
was told, kindly and eau
tiously, of the doom before him. 1t
took all the Christian strength of the
mans nature to endure the shock
Better death he thought than life at