The Van Buren press. [volume] (Van Buren, Ark.) 1859-1914, 1877-06-12
MISCELLANY
How She Came to Have Him.

$50
$50 you won't have me, Nellie? You
are sure you won't marry me p
Pretty little Mrs. Nellie Willard look
ed meditatively out of the window into
the quiet village street, as ii among the
,leatless trees and on the forest bound
landscape she should find the answer to
Horace Levison's question.
Then, after moment, she turned her
face toward h.m---a face as fresh and fair
in its pcachy bloom as many young
girls ten years her junior.
" IL am-alraid | can't, Mr.. Levi
SON.
Mr. Lcvison looked her straight in the
bright blue eyes---such lovely blue eyes,
soft as velvet, and tile color of violet
that has bloomed in the shade.
"You are afraid you can't, Mrs,
Willard !? Answer me another question
yes or no Do YOU love me 2
she blushed and smiled, and looked
5e@3ehinels
Why, Nj Loytson, aean Harry,
Of course | do-lJae yoU l always did
ever since / first knew you, Fears ago
When WI! Willard won the prize all
we fellows were striving ion! SO you
liked me Then, Nellie, and you like me
now? Then why won't you marry me 7
you've been n WIDOW Tor three years now
Isn't that long enough to mourn for vii
You wicked man AS if three h,lnd-
red years could ever teach me to forget
poor, dear WILSON,
Her bright eyes reprovcd him sharply,
and he accepted with good grace.
Granting the truth, Nellie, that your
deceased husband was good fellow and
a loving partner, still can not see why
you refuse me. That is the subject ur-
der consideration at present, Nellie Why
won't you marry me?'
Then Mrs Will,rd's face grew little
paler, ana her plump, fair hands tremb-
led
Because, Harry because Wilson
Willard made me promise never to mar
ny again
Nonsense! What if he did A bad
promise is better broken than kept
Yrs. Willard twisted her ring nneasi-
~ eHd loOheu Nv tHc liluuliHuttu sHiSIu
Of the stone.
Il know it is she said but
Mr.. Levison looked earnestly at her.
yes but what, Nellie? In all re.
spect say it--poor viii is dead and
gone, and you've been true to his mem
DRY all these long years; and what is he
to do with yop now 2
4 know she said again, meditatively
hnt--but Harry, he made me solemnly
promise never to marry again under the
penalty of his everlasting dlspleasure
And don't be angry with me, Harry, will
you? But almost know he would ap,
pear to me!
The lovely blue eyes were lifted in
such piteous appeal to his, and the pref.
ty little widow made such nervous lit
tie nesting nearer to him, that it was the
most human thing in the world for Mr.
Levison to put his arm aroudd her, and
assure her he was not angry with her.
80 you believe he would haunt you
Nellie, If you broke your promise? \
sensible little woman like you to believe
in superstitious fol de roll! And aftel
having aited for you ten years Of your
married life and three years Of your wild
owhood, YOU condemn me to hopeless
ness tor the sake of such Enumeration
the sake of such shadow as your hus-
bands ghost" a--.
And Nellie looked imploringly at hir,
again, and her lips quivered and the
tears stood in great crystals on her long
lashes. a..ftfsrT
20 Harry, how crGd you are! You
know love you better than all the world
only--I dare not marry again! Don't be
fangry-plepse don't bc angry with me
And Mr. Levlson looked down at her
lovely face, aud assured her he nevel
could he Angry with her, and then wen
away thiaking badly of TIE husband who
had burlensd ms IoNeiyVouug wife with
such q promise, FOL. r-
The last sunset rays were ilinging thci
golden and scarlet pennuns on tie pale
blue gray sky when Mr.. Leyison opened
the door of his coy sitting room a
home, to be met by the laughing face anC
gay welcome Of younger gentleman
who had evidently been making himsel
at home while he waited.
'Heigho, Lcvison! Surprised to Sc
me ? How are you, old fcllow-how ar,
ycu?' ...Egyf
Mr.. Leyison stared a second, thel
greeted him warmly.
Fred. Willard Where in the name o
goodness did you spring from? Why,
thought you were not to sail from Eng