Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-04
Tales aud Sketfhes.
A MODERN LOVE BTORY.
CONCLUDED FROM YEsrERDAr.I

coming; ana II Dy accident, ne falled 10
appear. she was sorely disappointed. She
did not at first heed the curions stare Of
passers-by; but at last she began to fear
lest their being seen together SO often
would give rise to gossip which might
reach her grandfather's ear, and this
thought filed her with apprehension be-
sides. her conscience troubled her, for she
realized that she was deceiving her kind
grandparents in not telling them the
truth.
After many anxieties and temptations.
she determined to try to avoid Mr.. Nor
land by geing home through the woods
instead OF walking on the highway. One
evening, to her dismay. she met him in
the woods.
Were you trying to escape me Miss
Nellie P" he inquired, laughing at her con.
fusion.
Yes SIR" was the honest reply "be-
cause know that grandfather would OBJ
ject to my walking so often with you"
You are right, Nellie; he would OBJ
iect, and it was wrong for me to encour-
age you to anything that would meet with
his displeasure. But somehow l feel very
lonely up in the old mansion yonder, al
though the house is full OF company. Your
society has been a solace to me. l am
going away to stay for couple of weeks.
and l sought you out to take leave of you
Good-by, Nellie;" and before she could
prevent it, he snatched a kiss and was
gone.
That evening. when Nellie went home
to the old folks. they noticed that she
looked sad; but they did not suspect the
reason, and they felt deeply concerned.
for she was naturally as gay as o bird.
She complained of being III, and retired
early. Her pillow was soon wet with
tears, for little Nell's heart was mex
pressibly heavy. The following day her
cheerfulness returned, and all anxiety on
her account was quickly banished.
One morning, two weeks later, as she
was watering the flowers in the garden
that fronted her grandfather's house, she
was startled by hearing her name called
by familiar voice. She glanced up and
saw gentleman standing at the gate,
watching her.
How do you do, Mr.. MorlandP VIII
you not come In P' said Miss Nellie, in q
calm voice as though her heart was not
beating wildly.
Thank you," and he pushed the gate
open and entered. 'ls your grandfather
at home p''
mo. sir; he is taking his morning walk,
but will be back directly. Will you be
kind enough to step into the house and
waltz"
81 would rather remain here with you,
If you will allow me-" Then looking at
her reproachfully, he continued. in a soft
voice, You do not appear glad to see
me have you not missed me at all ?"
A deep scarlet flush man,led her brow,
and her lips trembled In spite of herself
as she answered, did you expect me to
miss youp"
Yes; but see that you did not ;" and
he laughed lightly.
Poor Nellie had not thought OF anything
else since he lett.
"Will you give me one of those how-
ersP"
Certainly but You have so many love-
ly ones in your own garden, that do not
see how you can admire these"
variety is the spice of life, you know
and he stuck the flower carelessly in his
bulton-hole, as carelessly as he trifed with
the heart of its giver.
The girl fastened her large, penetrating
eyes on his face, and their expression was
grave and serious. She read in his coun-
tenance something that panied her. Her
scrutiny annoyed him; and, making
some trivial remark, be turned his head
the other way. and saw Mr.. Woodville.
Nellie's grandfather. coming up the road
between them. He soon reached his side,
and welcomed the visitor politely.
Mr.. Morland was apparently glad to
meet the old gentleman. of whom he had
in boyhood been very fond but Mr.. Wood
villes stiff, formal manner rather repelled
than otherwise
The visitor accepted the invitation to
enter The house, and his reception by the
old lady was warm and hearty. She pre-.
vailed upon him to partake of some re-
freshments. and she patted him on the
head and called him "bonnie laddie," as
she had done years before. He thought
her the most charming old lady he had
ever known, and remained chatting with
her long time. After his departure,
grandma was loud in her praises of Rob-
ert Morland. and even grandpa had to ad-
NIT that he was fine Young man.
Mr.. Moreland found the farm house an
attractive place. and he often wended his
way thither. The old couple always well
coined him cordially. and grew to like
him better each time they saw him. He
never failed TO remember them in deli
cate manner. Many rare plants found
their way to grandma's garden, and grand
pa was supplied with fruit trees, tobacco.
and various nicknacks.- Whenever he
rode past at sunset, and saw the old folks
sitting on the porch, he always called to
mind the touching words of John An
derson, my 10 john
The long summer drew to a close at
last, and the time came for Robert Nor
land to leave his country residence, and
the home of his childhood, to enter on his
business career In New York. He dread.
ed to break the sweet spell that pleasant
circumstances had woven about him, and
he felt that the most delightful period OF
his life was drawing to a close.
1t was with a sad heart that he went to
the old farm house to bid farewell to its
occupants. They seemed equally sorry
to part with him. for his genial society
had been source of enjoyment to them.
He took leave of Nellie with q gentle
pressure oi the hand. for he dared not
trust himself to speak.