Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1878-04-17


covered silver tray-a letter whose en-
velOpe was jagged, as if 1t had-been
hurriediy torn open.
''Oh, letter for you, Mrs-Nugent."
DR.. Grassmere put on his glasses as
he prepared to cut Nellie's quail to suit,
but was interrupted by a faint texclama-
tion from Nellie, who had taken the
letter, and seen-first, the superscrip-
ton, 'Mr. Harry Nugent," and then,
hurriedly tearing it open, the begin
ming. my darling Harry" and the
"Everending, your own true Cert
rude.''
"Where did you get 2" she asked,
almost gasping, of the maid.
''Indade, and it was a-layin' on the
flure of the hall, as cam long, ma'am,
and only jist minded me to pick itup,
thinking it was bist to give it to yez. In
dade, and not known the writin' on
it, / thought it"
But Nellie was not listening.
She had pushed away the little table
where the luncheon stood, and in her
excitement and horror, had risen from
her bed, and was leaning on her elbow,
devouring the horrible letter that read
that her husband had become tired of
her whining invalidism, and had con-
cluded to take French leave for awhile,
and in answer to his entreaties that DIR.
Ashton would practically prove the
love she had so often declared, was this
letter from her, consenting to fly with
him, and agreeing to. meet him at the
Clarendon Hotel that very day, at
noon, to make their final arrangements.
Then. when she had read it, Nellie
tainted, and while she lay there, several
seconds, white and unconscious, DIR.
Grassmere read the letter and laughed.
Pretty good. flrst-rate! 1 declare
could not a done it better myself.
Clarendon, eh? Now, I'll bet on Nell
lie when she comes to.''
And almost as soon as sine opened her
eyes. Nellie struggled up in bed, her
eyes more expressive than DR.. Grass
mere had seen them for many a day.
$50 for carriage-quick! Send
Pauline to me. [ must get up, some
how-anyhow, Oh, DR.. Grassmere-
to think my Harry"
She swallowed back her tears, and
looked determinedly at him.
''If / find them-if find her-dO be
quick, DIR. Grassmere-do be quick"
And the moment the door had closed
on him, Nellie Nugent was on her feet
for the first time in Notwithstanding
week, it was true, but fired by yehe-
mence that sent her blood pulsing riot
ously along in her veins.
With the assistance of Pauline, she
was soon dressed and wrapped in her
shawl, and then, chuckling to himself,
DIR. Grassmere escorted her down
stairs. every step she took firmer than
the other. every moment adding bright
Indignation to her eyes, until after
what seemed longer drive than neces-
sary their carriage drove up to the
ladies' entrance to the Clarendon.
Mrs. Nugent would never have been
taken for the woman, who, two hours
ago, had been lying white and helpless
among the pillows of the bed she had
not left for so long.
At the Clarendon, DIR. Grassmere es-
corted her to the ladies' parlor, while
he went on tour of investigation. in
five minutes he returned and took Nell
lie on his arm, and together they ascen-
ded, by the elevator, TO almost the very
door of private parlor, before which
DIR. Grassmere paused.
Now, Nellie, my dear child, are you
all ready for a surprise? Are you sure
you can bear what you will hear in a
moment:"
And Nellie, raising her hand sec
ond in righteous indignation, then low
ering it with sudden anguish of heart,
told DIR. Grassmere she knew her heart
was broken because Harry was SO
cruelty treacherous.
DIR. Grassmere and she followed the
servant in; he dismissed the man, and
then called out:
''Harry, here she is! We've managed
to get her out of her own free will, and
the result is-well, look at her.''
And Harry came out from the second
room of the suite, and rushed up TO her
and caught her in his arms.
"Nellie, my darling. Thank heaven
for this ~ said Harry.
And Nellie, bewildered. half fright
ened, looked inquiringly around.
"But-where is-where is DIR. Ash
ton"
Then DIR. Grassmere laughed as if he
never would stop, and even Mr.. Nu-
gent smiled as he held her in his arms
and smoothed her cheek caressingly.
81 confess did not like the means to
get you here, darling, but DIR. Grass
mere was so confident-and you see he
was not wrong-and as DIR. Ashton is
his betrothed wife, why, l consented.
You will forgive us all the innocent
little tricks, Nellie?"
And from that very hour, Nellie Nu-
gent dated her recovery, and that very
night, in her drawing-room, the three
conspirators laughed with her over
their very heroic treatment.
1T happened TO save me-" Nellie
says. obviously. "All the same, l shall
never recommend good-looking lady
DOCTORS"