The daily gazette., 1877-10-10
Nellie Lawrence.


"By Jove Charlie, that's the sweetest
looking girl I've ever seen! And such a
splendid figure! Who in the name of
all that is lovely is she?"
This outburst of admiration came from
one of group of young men stand ing in
front of large stationery store in the
town of NJ. They had been idly
criticising all passers-by for the last
hour, but uone had ELECTED such a genu-
Inc compliment as TIE one John Barris
had pronounced. ,'1 ..... '....-.,.g
"Why, do you not know Miss Nellie
Lawrencep" replied Charlie Wallace.
"Certainly you're far behind the times,
as she is the most fascinating little ,rea-
lore, besides being the greatest firt, one
need ever meet. All The fellows rave
over her, and talk continually of "sweet
Nellie's eyes, hair, dancing, singing aud
coquettish ways; for coqu ,tte she is,
and tits really amusing to see the way
she manages half dozen fellows SO
adroitly that each one imagines himself
to be the favored one. by the way, as
am her escort 10 Miss Dooit's reception
this evening, and as you are to be there
John, I'll pive you an introduction. But
put your heart away, old fellow, for Miss
Nellie is a desperate flirt."
That evening, when Nellie La vrence
entered the large and elegant parlors ol
the fashionable Mrs. D., there was a
general murmur of admiration, aud in.
stantly she was surrounded by a crowd
of admirers. Soon Mr.. Barr;s had the
longed for introduction, and he was ex.
pressing his regret at being three days in
the town and not knowing her. Although
Nellie was flirt, do not imagine she wa:
cold-hearted or cruel; but never havIn.
lost her own heart, the pet of her pa
rents, admiration and homage seemed tt
have been hers from the cradle, and flirt
ations were mere amusements for the
hour. Nellie imagined her lovers forgo
as soon as herself, and were as soon read,
for another love affair.
But, alas for Nellie the dangerousl,
ardent glances of Mr.. Barris' handsome
eyes, tender and graceful manner, togeth
er W. b his intelligent conversation, wer,
beginning to commit sad havoc with he
heart; and, although nothing would have
induced her to confess the fact, he
dreams were that night of handsome
| familiar face-whose can be easily mag
ined.
After this followed series of drives
walks, &C., during which Nellie com
pletely lost her heart for the first time
but now came the punishment for all he
coquettish action, for John Darris place,
no confidence in her, and, although des
perately in love, determined to give n
opportunity for Nellie to trife with him
so he resolved to end it and go away
Thus, one day he called on her and qui
city said
"Miss Nellie, came to say goodbye
as Pm off for Europe in a couple {
weeks, and in the meanwhile shall be il
the city to make some necessary prepara
tions."
"What going away?" exclaimed Ne
lie. "And for how long?"
"Oh, sit may be for years, it may b
forever" lightly replied Johu; for h
deemed her apparent regret merely co
quettish art, aud, though longing to con
iess his love, sternly resolved not to d
so. "Well, good bye, Nellie, am reall
sorry our delightful little Irritation mus
come to an end, although, no doubt, er
| Il "
be consoled by another victim.
With this and graceful bow he wen
away, leaving Nellie almost stunned
But pride came to her rescue when sh
realized how she had been trified witt
and no one would have thought her bro
ken hearted who heard the gay assume
laugh, and saw the apparent high-heart
edness.
Long years went by, bringing Nelli
MANY admirers with whom she flirte,
worse than ever, until to the astonish
ment of all, she engaged herself to
grave, dignified professor. She reason
ed tnat, although not in love with MI
Irwin, marriage with him would help he
forget. But after Nellie had been Ell
gP red several months, the congictio
1 came upon her that it would not b
right to marry unless her future husban
understood all her feelings, and sh
therefore determined to tell him. Thu;
one evening she came down TO greet he
lover, beautiful as queen, resolved :
disclose all her former history, which sh
did, telling of the loved aud lost; but az
ding that if he "Were Wiling"
But here she was startled by hearing
rich, familiar voice say:
90 my darlingl Did you really lov
me all the time?" AID looking hastil
around she saw John Barris standin
with outstretched arms, into which sh
flew, leaving Mr.. Irwin completely bt
wildered for the time.
Soon recovering, and now comprehen
ling the situation, he, being a true mar
loving Nellie too dearly to interfere wit
her happiness, advanced toward the pa
and said:
"Be happy and my friends. The goo
God even bless you both!'
Then he quietly went away, leavir
the two lovers to make mutual explan
tions.
John had returned home, and, hearir
that Nellie was still single. though e.
gagged, he determined to make friendl
call, and was arrested at the parlor doc
by hearing his own name; ne stoppe
short, and heard all Nellie's confession
Thinking only of this and what he la
endured for the last four years, he ente