The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-10-18

usually do. All seemed to enjoy them
selves; Nellie was lovely as apink and
full of mischief, Leighton was attentive,
and John Holt was cheerful and kind to
everybody. lie was fully as quiet as
usual, to be sure, and rather avoided Mel
lie Cramer, but it is doubtful if any one
but herself noticed that.
twas twelve o'clock when they started
to go home, and the moon had set. At
first their gayety held out, but after a
mile or SO fatigue and want of sleep be-
gan to tell upon them, and one by one
taey fell into silence.
"John," Nellie said, 'there is just
room for me on the seat with you. May
come there2 1t is cold here"
He made room for her in silence, and
she left her discounted escort and
took her place next that strong shoul-
der.
Then silence fell again; but after a
while, in the darkness, John Holt was
aware of light pressure against his
arm, then soft, plamtiye whisper stole
into his ear.
81 am so sleepy, John"
He turned little-why not? They
were old friends-and lifted his arm to
the back of the seat, took the head softly
and tenderly to his bosom. And so she
lay in that faithful and tender clasp till
they drew near home; then, with one
whispered word of loving gratitude,
Nobody is so good as you" she drew
away, and took Albert Leighton's hand
to step out at her own door.
After stir IN his own mind, John Holt
concluded that Nellie and Albert had
quarreled. He sighed, since she could
not hear, and so be annoyed. pitied the
girl, and then went steadily about his
work. The waters of his soul were toe
deep for babbling.
When Spring came, for the first time
in his life John electrified his friends.
He was going to California. The an
nouncement was made quietly but firmly,
and he stood like a rock against which
expostulation beat itself to spray. He
gave good reasons, and resolutely main
tanned his right to choose for himself.
"You have always said mother, that
you wished l were more venturesome,"
he said. 81 am gong to please you,
now"
'But how is the farm to get along
without you p she objected.
Frank understands everything and
can manage"
Mrs. Holt took courage, and, breaking
over some little awe which, In spite of
her talk, she felt for her son, spoke
out:
"John, has that Nell Cramer Tilted
your
"Jilted me !" he said, flushing as
much with anger as with surprise
"What do you mean, mother? We have
always been good friends, but never any
more. l never gave her the chance to
jilt me-
"Then, why don't you give her the
clance?" persisted his mother who did
not choose to give up, now that the ice
was broken. "Nell is good girl, if she
does firt little. always thought that
she liked you, onl y that you were too
slow to see it. Then, Nell has got lit
tie sum of money Of her own that
wouldn't be amiss."
''You are entirely mistaken, mother"
he said decisively. Don't let us say any
more about it,"
80, you great fool" muttered the
mother, looking after him as he went out
"Was there ever a man SO blind!' He
is no more fit to live in the world than an
angel out of Heaven is.'
Then, seeing Nellie Cramer passing the
street, she lifted her voice and called her
in.
The girl came in, wondering at such a
peremptory summons.
Come and sit by me !" commanded
the matron, and Nellie obeyed.
Mrs. Holt scanned her from head to
foot; the neat, trim figure, in its snugly-
fitting paletot of dark gray, the green
bonnet, that brought out her fresh, clear
color with new lustre, and the fair,
bright face.
"Did you know that our John is going
to California ?" asked Mrs. Holt, abrupt
ly, her keen eyes on the girls face.
All the color faded out of it in an in
slant, and Nellie Cramer dropped into a
chair as suddenly as if she had been shot.
She sat there and looked at the other
with her strained eyes. but said nc
word.
eyes," said Mrs Holt, unable to repress
slight smile of satisfaction at this proof
of the correctness of her surmise, Eyes
he's set on going in spite of all that l car