Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-03
FCon,iuued from first page


Very well. grandfather she replied
in disappointed tone. at the same time
wondering what the reason might be.
But without venturing to ask. she took up
her pail aud entered the house. followed
by the fond eyes of the old couple. sue
was the darling of their old age, and the
only descendant of a large family. Her
father, brave Young soldier. had been
killed in the Mexican war, and his wild
owed wife had died shortly afterwards.
leaving her orphan child 10 the love and
protection of its grandparents. Little
Nell was the light OF their home, and they
could scarcely bear TO have her out OF
their sight.
In spite of all her efforts to the contra
nv, Nellie could not forget the gentleman
on the heights, who had given her the
nosegay. As she prepared the evening
meal, his form arose constantly before her
everywhere. She wondered, over and over
again, how it was possible for him to no.
tice her. He had even remembered her
name! As she went about the old-fash-
toned kitchen, setting the table for sup
per, she glanced at the window whenever
opportunity allowed, as though she eX-
pecied to see the gallant form OF Robert
Morland riding past on horseback; but
she saw nothing, save the tall trees that
shaded the road; beyond which stretched
the horizon. illumined by thessetting sun.
Supper was soon ready, and after the
little family had partaken of the meal The
old Bible was taken down from the shell,
and Nellie read aloud from its pages.
Then the evening prayers were said. and
they retired for the night. Through all
the religious exercises aud in her dreams,
Nellie could not Danish from her mind the
image of her neighbor on the heights.
The next evening, when returning from
her errand TO The dairy, which was n good
mile and halt from her home, Nell was
tain 10 take the road that led To the
heights but calling to memory her prom
Use To her grandfather, she took the lower
road and trudged on with her little pail,
wishing with all her heart that she conld
get glimpse of the delightful gardens
surrounding Mr.. Morland's abode.
She had not gone far before she was
startled by the barking of dog and in
few moments great shaggy animal came
bounding out from behind some shrubber-
ry, and stood on the road befoie her. His
fierce eyes and threatening growls filled
her with terror; she did moi attempt to run
or scream, however she stood still and
looked the animal intently in the eyes; he
croucfed down and remained immovable.
"A brave girl, by Jove!" exclaimed a
voice from the adjoining woods. and pres
emily Mr.. Morland approached. $50
home. Sport p he cried in loud, COM
handing tone, at the same time pointing
in that direction.
The dog obeyed, and crawling along the
ground, with his tail between his legs, he
was soon out of sight.
"You were courageous to attempt to
COW that huge fellow" remarked the man,
at the same time regarding Nell with
look of undisguised admiration.
Ii was some time before she found voice
to reply, but at length she answered, fall
teringIy, grandfather, You know, was
once quite hunter, and he has often told
me that to look an animal steadily in the
eyes Is the best mode of mastering him"
"You must have great presence of
'mind to heed your grandfather's words at
such critical moment. Does the old gen
lleman remember me ?" he asked, after a
pause.
"Oh. yes" was the reply; ".lnd grand
mother does too"
A long silence ensued, and Nellie felt
awkward and bashfu. Her little sun bon
net did not conceal her bushes. The gen
tleman perceived her embarrassment, and
endeavored, by degrees, TO win her conf
dence. He began to talk in pleasant,
familiar way about topics OF common in
terest, and in little while Nell was won-
dering what made her feel so much at ease
in the presence of this stranger, for he was
such to her, albeit she had heard him men,
toned frequently, and he had peted her
when she was a baby. To be sure, she
blushed every time he addressed her d.
rectiy, and she sometimes stammered
when she answered; and yet she did not
feel as diffident as her wont. Finally. her
reserve melted entirely away, and she
chatted quite gaily and frankly with him.
He insisted on carrying her pail and
accompanying her short distance. She
did not refuse for his society was far from
disagreeable, and yet she asked herself re-
pcatedly, "What would grandpa say, it
he should see him ?"
Whenever chance permitted, she glanced
shyly at the gentleman, and she thought
him the handsomest person she had ever
beheld. He was tall, dark, elegant, self
possessed, and had wonderfully win
ming smile. She had never seen any one
who resembled him before, and she could
not help contrasting him with the farm
er's sons OF her acquaintance. How awk-
ward end clownish they were compared
with him!
At last they came TO an abrupt angle in
the road and, taking her hand kindly in
his, the gentleman said. farewell for the
present, Miss Nellie. am sorry to leave
you so soon, for this has been one of the
most pleasant walks that have had for
many day" and with smile he left her.
Nellie continued her homeward course
with merry heart and light step, she did not
understand why she felt SO much happier
than usual. When she reached home she
found her grandparents occupying their
customary seats on the porch, and she
greeted them in her usual manner. When
they questioned her, she gave them the bits
of news concerning Mr.. Morland, and for
the first time in her life she concealed
something from her dear old guardians.
She did not know why, but her tongue re-
fused to pronounce his name.
The evening passed in the ordinary
quiet way. and that night Nellie was walk
ing in dreamland with the handsome
stranger until day dawned.
Nearly every evening, on Nellie's re-