The Morning herald., 1877-09-08
had Several = ! heavy b payments y makA"

ing him on Monday morning for having
neglected his lessons on Sunday evening.
"Oh, come" he expostulated; ''you real
ly ought to forgive me. I'm only one day
behind tmer W n h v &
"And that's nothing, Ii ita'' replied the
fair occupant of the sofa. "A gentleman
a-real gentleman, I mean-doesn't care a
fig about bis own bills, and all that; but
he cares about those Of the girl he loves,
and intends one day to make his wife.
Recollect that I've position to make;
and II / can't pay my way, where am IT.
my dear Pussy" pleaded the barristsr,
"only listen"
"Dont call me Pussy. I don't want any
pet names now. My name is Nicholson
Nellie Nicholson; and you'll obige me by
putting Miss before it when you address
me-"
"Well, then," said the young man, half
amused. half vexed, "to prove to you, my
dear Miss Nicholson, that never forget
you when absent, will you accept this
bracelet which you admired so much in
the Palais Royal last week2"
"Miss Nicholson, without raising herself.
extended her lovely arm and hand to re.
ceive the casket opened 1t with the most
Indifferent air imaginable, looked at its
contents, yawned and said, "Ah"
"Is it the right onel" said Noel, anxious
ly.
"Oh, yes; it is the same. Only it looked
twenty times prettier in the shop-window
than it does now"
''I'm in ill-luck this evening"" said the
barrister, discouraged. "Nothing / say
or do seems to please you.'' f..
sand why, pray2" , ...
"In the first place, it's very plain that
You don't like the bracklet."
"But indeed l do; it's a perfect love of
a thing, and just makes up the Dozen"
"It was now Noels turn to say, "Ahw be
As she made no reply, but simply gazed
in dreamy sort of way before her, as
though she were looking into the dim dis
tance, he added, "Well, I must say you've
a queer sort Of manner in expressing your
satisfaction"
"Ah! that's Just like you men," cried
the lady. "Never satisfied unless you see
us all ablaze with love and gratitude!
You bring me present-pretty and SIM
pie enough in its way-and you expect
me to pay you back in ready money"
"Oh, Pussyw said the barrister, much
hurt. .,.,
eyes, in ready money. don't mean in
pounds, shillings and pence, of course not.
I'm not 80 mean as that-but mean in
the ready money of thanks. According
to your views on the subject, ought to
fill the whole house with cries of thanks
and Joy, whilst I clasp your knees and
call you my benefactor, my only friendp"
Cool as he was on ordinary occasions. it
was very evident that Noel was extremely
irritated now, and his irritation seemed to
delight the charming Nelly beyond all
expression.
care not my simple thanks sufficient!
she went on. "Shall I call in jeanette to
admire this wonderful bracelet"
Noel made no reply. He kept his eyes
persistently fixed on the ground.
But Nellie was determined to tease and
torment him.
"Oh, l forgotw Jeannette's nobody
only my maid! One of u.s. you know.
Her thanks would go for nothing. Per-
haps you'd prefer my sending down for
the portera"
The young man shrugged his shoulders,
like philosopher who thinks it beneath
him to notice the playfulness Of a kitten,
or the wanton gambols of King Charles
spaniel in its puphood.
"Why do you worry your little head"
he said, sppealingly, "in trying to irritate
mes It hasn't the slightest effect, l assure
YOU If you have any serious grudge
against me, tell it me simply, and in as
few words as possible, and if l can reme-
DIV or remove any painful impression
from your mind, l whl do so at once"
"Let's be serious, then," said Nellie. 81
want plain answer to a plain question.
Why didn't you bring me the three humid
ed pounds for which was so pressedp'
"Because I had important business, and
couldn't come"
"Aud you couldn't have sent them2"
she asked
"If I did not send or bring them, it was
because hadn't them. In fact-in fact"
The young girl looked at him for a mo-
ment incredulously, then burst into mer-
ry peal Of laughter.
"Why, you're trying to act the 'Ro-
nance of a Poor Young MANI"
"Actl my poor little Pussy! I'm not
acting-I'm telling you the real truth! I'm
ruined, Pussy! I'm on my last legs!
haven't farthing in the world / can call
my own"
The girls beautiful eyes flashed fire
and, springing from the sofa, she seized |
the young barister's hands, and, clasped
them in both her own.
"Oh, Noel, can l believe you?' she said
"Oh, If l could but believe you were tell
ing me the truth"
Her lover received this sudden gleam
of Joy like dagger thrust !; and placed |
his hand upon his heart, as il in pain.
"She believes in what ! have said,' he \