Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-11-07

ioI YOU. NOW, Nelile, ii you only VIII
have your wits about you, instead of
being SO Indifferent to everything, |
shall be thankful. Why, there is no
answering what that pretty face of
yours might do, if you would only see
your chances Terry Holmes declares
YOU are the prettiest girl here, and his
father Is a millionaire Just think Of
it, Nellie -
Nellie, strangely pale with her back
to her aunt, turned Macassar upon her
handkerchief, saying, chokingly
What Mr.. Lowth, auntie?'
Manfred Lowth. He's a shipper
from Boston. Belongs to my set. -
Nellie found another handkerchief.
gave a defiant glance at her pale face
in the mirror, and turned to her aunt.
am ready.
They went down To the dining-room
and took their places side by side. Ex-
actly opposite Nellie sat Manfred Lowth,
mixing lobster salad, and chatting softly
and gaily with Mrs. Vernon from New
York. At Nelie's right side sat Ned
Rowland, her old beau from Manches-
ter.
Lowth looked up and bowed to her.
She returned the salutation. then turned
to Ned Rowland
Perhaps for an hour she tlirted never
afterward. After dinner she went to
her room, bathed her head, which ached
horribly, then joined her aunt in the
parlor. There was Manfred Lowth, who
stood at her side moment and ex-
changed n few words with her, then
sauntered away. But Ned Rowland
bent over her chair all the afternoon.
At night she went to bed feverish and
i'll.
Aweek passed. Nellie became aware
that Ned Rowland loved her. He was
good-hearted, good-looking, but rather
eiiemlnate young man handsome and
very winning, however, and a year be-
fore Nellie might have loved him. but
truly loved Lowth rs she did, the thing
was impossible. She finally told him
frankly and kindly, that she did not
love him.
They were sitting on the rocks at
twilight.
" You used to like me, Nellie said
Howiand, his lips growing pale under
his pretty mustache.
:" like you now, Ned"
" But | think you used to love me-a
little, Nellie"
She clasped her hands nervously.
THAT was not love, Ned--oh it was
nothing like love- Don't talk to me
any more, please. am sorry you are
grieved but | can't hel it, Don't blame
me, and be kind to me. have my own
troubles to bear
He got up and went down the rocks.
She did not know whether he was Of
Tended or not, and, suffering from n
keen sense of her SORROWS, she hardly
cared She knew he would be in love
with some one else within a week.
There were bitter tears in her eyes
rs She looked over the ocean. Sud
denly n firm hand was laid on her
shoulder.
" Nellie, how do you know so well
what love is?'
SIZE turned her head and looked into
Manfred Lowth's brave face.
Because have reason to know, she
answered, passionotely.
Nellie, Nellie" he said, 81 love YOU,
Will you answer me rs you did How
land p
No"
Why"
" Because Tlove you,
She was in a passion of tears, sobbing
rs If her heart was broken.
Nellie, little pet, what are YOU cry
ing in this way for?'
"All this time" she began.
"All this time" he interrupted,
have been waiting to see if YOU really
loved me. If you really loved, knew
that you ought to love me even though
was Indifferent TO you. left you, and
you did not forget me, but lost your
roses, and turned pale when we met.
Your words to Ned Rowland, which |
overheard, proved what true-hearted
little girl you are, and, if ] promise to
devote the rest Of my life to your hap
piness will you forgive me for causing
you this pain ~
Nellie expressed her forgiveness very
concisely and sweetly, and Mrs. Ber-
trans heart was made glad by the an
nouncement of her nicce's engagement
to Manfred Lowth.
| think it was on their wedding day
that Nellie showed Manfred LOwth n
shining brown hair, carefully preserved,
which She had found in her stocking that
March morning, and it was very like Mr..
Lowths own.
So much for the sign Of the first
robin.