Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-01-15
Nell's New Years Eve.

1t was the day before New Year, and
Nell Washburne was aboard the train,
en- route for her married sisters home,
where she had been most urgently in
vited to spend the holidays. Her sister
was to give a party, and Nell, who al
ways enjoys such affairs immensely, an
ticipated splendid time.
While she reclines on her cushioned
seat, twirliDg the tassel of her muff and
gazing out at the whirling landscape.
we will, as Captain Cutie would say,
"t,ke an observation. 1t needs but a
glance to assure us that she is as trim
and perfect little craft as ever sailed
irresistibly into the hidden recesses of
rock-incrusted hearts. She was small
and graceful, with an exquisitely mold
ed, supple form and brightly beautiful
face. Ringlets of golden brown peeped
from 0v'Asath jaunty fur cap. and curl
ed ABOUT a fair, open brow. Large. lus-
trOus eyes of deep azure shot bewiIder.
ing glances from beneath long. ietty
lashes, and the bloom of perfect health
mantled on her rounded cheeks and flush
ed with vivid red the smiling, saucy
lips. More than one masculine heart
had acknowledged the power of her
charms, but loves arrows had thus far
fallen harmlessly around her, and she
was much inclined to be sceptical con
corning that grand passion of which she
read so much. Time enough in which
to learn the lesson, however; she was
only seventeen.
Twilight had fallen when the train
glided into the city of A, but NeIl's
journey did not end there. Her sister
lived in thriving village several miles
from town, and the rest of the way was
to be traversed in an omnibus that made
morning and evening trips between the
two places.
This conveyance did not hol0ng to
public house, but w-s the property of
Mr. Harold Ellsworth, gentleman re-
siding in the village. A hired hand US
ually drove the vehicle, but Harold him.
self often acted Jehu, and on this par
ticular New Years Eve, he had been
pacing up and down the platform, for
some time, waiting for the arrival of the
train, by which lie expected several pas
sengers. He was remarkably hand
some man, possessing tall and we'll
proportioned figure, clearly cut. regular
features, a ruddy. weather Drowned CON-
plexlon, eloquent dark eyes. jet black
curling hair and moustache. His face
wore frank, genial expression that
stamped him a true-heartcd man. and
prepossessed every one in his favor.
He was closing the door of the omni-
bus when clear, sweet voice said:
"Have you room for another passen-
ger. sir ?"
Harold turned, and his face lighted
with admiration as his gaze encountered
the fair speaker.
Nell was disconnected. She thought
she had made an egrcgiOus blunder in
taking this handsome gentleman for an
omnibus driver. and began to stammel
an apology. her face crimson with blush
es.
I-I beg your pardon, thought
"YOu thought correctly" interrupted
Harold. There is plenty of room; shall
| assist you in? The steps are quit,
slippery"
Nell noticed the smile lurking in tb,
corners of his eyes, and felt like boxin,
his ears for daring to be amused at her
She became more embarrassed than ever
and endeavored to hide her confusion b,
getting out her portmonnaie to pay he
fare.
Excuse me. said Harold, "are yo
not Miss Nell Washburne. the young la
dy whom Mrs. Wentworth expects thi
evening ?"
Yes answered Nell. in some SUI
priso.
"She could not come to meet you her
self. and so deputed me the very accer
table task of looking after you,' ez
claimed Harold, gallantly.
"Indeed." returned Nell, with an al
tempt at dignity that was an utter fai
ure. Il am much obliged to you. but
am quite old enough to look after my
self, and will save you the trouble -
mo trouble at all, he replied, wit
t that provoking smile, as he assisted OF
, independent heroine up the steps.
AS proof of her self suficiency 81
slipped, and would have fallen had
not caught her in his arms.
D "Oh DEAR" she CALCULATED. "was the
ever such an awkward person as |?
shall have to take back what | SAID an
. thank you for saving me fall"
u 81 am only too glad to have been
some service" returned Harold, laug
v ing.
g The vehicle was soon filled, and stai
. ed on its way. The night promised
n be dark and stormy. They had not GO
n far when the lamps went out, and,