Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-12-12
NELLIE'S HERO.

IN YOUR cradles, dear, and even then
there was a testing agreement that
when you grew up, you should be mar
ried. And surely you might do worse
than to marry Mr.. Allan Trevor"
Nurse Gleason, who was just like a
mother to motherless Nellie Hmtley,
finished pouring the jelly she was max
ing into gorgeous mould, united her
white cap strings, and taking off her
spectacles, rubbed them energetically.
"And now, Miss Nellie, do get down
from that table-there's dear child
and go dress for the company. Your
father will be waiting, and right angry
he'll be, too Come, dearie."
No won't"
The diminutive figure perched upon
the kitchen table, swung its little Slip
: pered feet back and forth; and pushing
a cloud of yellow hair from a rosy face,
looked up into the honest countenance
of the old woman with a pair of mis-
chievous eyes.
''No, Nursie-that's darling-don't
make me go. I've been shut up in that
horrid boarding school for lwo years
now that I'm home for good, don't make
a martyr of me. [ can't bear tin
deed | can't And acon'tr she added,
soto uoce.
"But, Miss Nellie" continued the
good woman. a smile beginning to
creep around the corners of her mouth,
in spite of her efforts to look grave
"you forget that you're a young lady
: now-seventeen, remember-and since
your poor, dear mother died, YOU as
the only child, are expected to fill her
place and assist your papa in his hos
pitality. So many nice gentlemen, too,
dearie, and Mr.. Allan Trevor among the
rest"
q hate hinl-bah. Let old Miss
2enshaw take my place. She's my
llaaperone, and it's her duty. Besides,
I'm sick, and don't feel like going near
the drawing-room to-day. It's heap
nicer down here with you, Nursie, than
to be acting prim and stiff upstairs; not
allowed for moment to forget position,
family, and all that stuff. See here p
She sprang lightly from her high and
undignifed seat, and began pacing up
and down the wide. old kitchen-so cool
and beautifully clean-her lovely head
held aloft, with mock dignity, shipper
ing smile on her face, and mincing
gait-very ridiculous.
she paused in front of mould of
ielly-clear and transparent-and arm
ing herself with a spoon, confscated a
generous portion.
"Queen in the kitchen, eating bread
and honey" she sang, gaily.
II thought you were sick" dryly re-
marked Nurse Gleason, her eyes bent
lovingly, all the time, upon the fair
face Of her darling.
!. "Oh, SO [ was, until [ found that you
were not going to drive me away" 1t
was positive cure, nurse
She turned suddenly as she spoke,
and with dexterous movement, fiirted
the white cap from the decorous old
woman's head, and perched it lightly
upon her own. Then, Selling the spec
tacles, she placed them upon her own
straight and rather diminutive nose, and
then, deaf to Nurse Gleason's remon-
strances, she folded her arms sedately
upon her bosom, and walked toward
the door, just as it opened from with
out, and a tall form stood upon the
threshold Allan Trevor!
II beg your pardon" he began,
hastily. q [ mistook the way. Like
Paul Pry, [ hope I don't intrude .
NO." responded Nellie, saucily, and
a tri1e coolly,-" not any more than he
did,"
A flush shot across the clear, dark
face of the intruder.
He replaced the hat which he had
dotted, and with a low bow, disap-
peared.
Miss Nellie Huntley, I've mind to
be downright angry with you!" ex-
claimed Nurse Gleason, as the door
closed "The very incest young man
in the country, and the one your papa
fishes you to be especially gracious TO-"
That's just it, Nursie; [ don't like
.e young men. They are SO prim,
stiff and goodly. A man must be
and dashing, brave and chivalrous
vim my esteem. I'm In earnest, [
sure you; and [ never shall marry a
man who has not proved his WORTH
ness by some deed of daring some
thing to establish his claim to the title
of manhood. In short, he must be a
hero, and accomplish something noble,
before [ could care a fig for him. Did
Allan Trevor ever do brave deed? If
: the world has been very silent con-
cerning it, or his noble actions must
nave been performed in darkness. and
have never yet been illuminated, or
Eliminated either.
She paused to draw long breath, and
to restore the old woman's cap to it's
legitimate resting place. Had she not
been thus pre-occupied, her quick eyes
might have caught a glimpse through
the wide-open window, of a tall form
and dark, handsome face, whose
owner had paused to light cigar, and
aad overheard every word the little
witch had uttered.
Allan Trevor smiled to himsef-a
lueer little smile it was, too, and meant
.olumes- putting leisurely, at his
agar. strolled away.