Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1878-02-28
JARVIS JOCELvN'S LETTER.

NiO ou o1tOIh OGOI~
CINE Reeder turned into the gate Of
the village academy, to visit Nellie
Sydney. She had graduated from
that institution but almost as much
OF her time she sill passed within
those halls as she did in the good
old school-days.
Although many years. difference
existed between their ages, and
much greater difference between
their characters, the stately Geor-
CINE, happy wife and mother, still
held to the old love she felt when in
the graduating class for little Nell,
the pet OF the school.
And during this eventful summer,
Nellie Sydney bad been 10 trouble
| deep mysterious affilction-which
she refused to disclose even to dar-
ling Georgine Reeder The laugh
ing blue eyes had become darker
with grief, and tho sweet mouth
wore an expression of woe. The
duties of his school prevented Mr.
Sydney's taking special interest of
this charge, and when he joked her
and said she should go for another
heart breaking tour among her rela-
tives, Nellie dsclaimed all desire to
repeat that journey.
What had happened TO mar the
happiness of N eilie's life, Mrs. Reed
er vainly sought to know.
did you fall in love with a Hoos-
Ter or Buckeye, while out with
Emma Chauncy p she asked the
signing little maid.
But an indignant reply WAS the
only answer vouchsated, and though
the cloud still rested upon Nellie, her
friend had long since ceased to ques-
ton her. This day, however, came
an earnest request for hur immedi.
ate presence at the academy, and a
mysterious postscript, in which she
besought her friend to lay aside all
duty and como and play mother.con-
fessor to her very wicked but low
ing Nellie p
Therefore Mrs, Reeder trudged
down the sunny road this Summer
afternoon, wondering what grave
and mighty secret was about to be
| confided to her confidence. But she
was little prepared for the tear-stain-
ed face and excited manner of her
little friend, when she entered the
apartment devoted to Nellie's use.
why, my darling, exclaimed the
matron, what upon oartl, can have
happened to cause you this pain :?
| Your father-'
is well, and SOS aunt Jane and
Fido and the rest of 'em,' interrupt
ed Nellie. i suppose you think
somebody's very sick or dead but
oh Georgine. I'm desperately miserA
able, and I've got letter | daren't
read And she drew one from her
pocket. And if you hate me I'm
going to confess all my wickedness !;
to keep il o secret any longer will
break my heart
And Nellie blew her nose vicious
ly, and looked up, through her tears
for encouragement to 60 on. Mrs.
| Reeder was alarmed al the serious
| aspect Nellie's troubles had taken,
and as she laid her bonnet aside, she
said with. real solicitude:
why, my girl, you alarm me.
What can you possibly have COM
mitted to suffer thus 2
Nellie softly pushed her friend in
to seat, and then sinking down on
the floor, with her face hid 10 her
hands she sohhpd ouf
| You remember when went TO
Bellefontalne with EN- Chauncey p
Yes, and | disapproved of it, too,
Emma Chauncey is not girl after
my heart. Now what mischief did
she lead you into p
You mustn't blame Emma con.
tinued Nellie; it was my farlt en-
tirely. 1t was dull travelling away
ont there, and we wanted to do
something romantic ; and we talked
-ne day about the chance poor
friendless girl would have, and /
said | meant to try and be an or
phan, and destitute, and,
BE an orphan I agsin broke in
Mrs. Reeder.
yes ; a make-believe one, you
know. And so, as the cars steamed
into nice now depot, just this side
of Bellfontaine, the place looked so
fresh and bright thought it was
lust the spot for an orphan to com
meDce her sorrowful career in
| We'll. was there ever such q stu
pid fancy 2 calculated the astonish
ed listener.
| oh, J knew you'd hate me | ex.
pect TO lose the love of every body.
But it will be more comfortable to
be discovered and punished than to