The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1878-05-30

but came to consciousness perceiving
fragrance of cologne water near me,
and knowing something was held to
my lips. tasted wine, but | was toe
weak to speak. Little cool hands ar
ranged some soft bundle under my
head. and then a fan stirred the air
around me. | must have slept, and
again | awOke.
Very near me, on the next seat, |
heard a sweet, low voice, saying:
ave get off at the next station, and /
hate to awaken that poor sailor for my
handkerchief. put it over his bundle
for a pillow, and there is another on
his forehead"
A voice, pettish and familiar, an
swered:
"Just like your impudence! Now
that common fellow will have your
handkerchief! You are so horribly
impulsive! 1t is very forward and un-
maidenly to have been fussing over a
strange man, at any rate. You don't
know how he may annoy you"
Low and sweet, quivering little,
came a voice in answer:
Gle will never annoy any one. II
ever death was written in face, saw
it in his face"
''It is none of your business"
at is my business. You may scold
as you like. II it is unmaidenly to
stretch out hand to dying man for
five minutes, then shall never meet
your ideas of decOrum.'
And as if to prove her words, the
speaker arose from her seat and leaned
over mine.
My head was lower than the back of
the seat, resting on the window sill,
and my feet stretched out to the next
space.
kept my eyes closed, and | knew
the handkerchief upon my forehead
was moistened again with cologne wa
ter, just as the train stopped. The
conductor shouted elizabeth !" and
the ladies behind me gathered up their
traps and departed.
| could only see linen busters and
brown wells, as they walked down be-
tween the car seats, but kept my seat.
Elizabeth had been my own destina-
ton, for Tom had always a cordial well
come for me, and lOnged to die where
there was some friendly face in sight.
But kept on to New York, presenting
myself to my old landlady, who had
some difficulty in believing in my iden-
tity, but being convinced, nursed me
as if had been her own son.
Tom came to see me when my lawyer
informed him of my return, but the la
dies had gone to the Delaware Water
Gap for the summer, and | was well
pleased. Much Of my faith in Amy's
friendship had evaporated, and want
ed my shaved head to be COvered-my
emaciated face to fill out before Nettie
saw me again.
| had my taste amply gratified, and
rebelled when the doctor ordered a
sea voyage to perfect my recovery. But
he had his way, and it was sum-
mer before | returned home again, and
accepted Toms invitation to his cottage
at Long Branch.
eve have concluded to take cottage |
at Long Branch this summer" he
wrote, "and want you to join us, if
possible, in July"
How can l describe Nettie-Nettie
Raymond still-after three years of
separation? Beautiful as ever; anima-
ted, accomplished, she was fascinating |
to all. But The imp of mischief had
not quite deserted her, though she was
more dignifiel. She was not openly
saucy as she had been, but could put
stings into quiet, apparently innocent
speeches, and often WINGED under her
satire.
For | did love her then. Every hour
added to my admiratiOn-my Affection
yet there was never in her manner one
atom of encouragement on which to
hang a rope.
Although | had recovered my health |
and strength almost entirely, | was
still subject to attacks of headaches
that prostrated me for hours-conscious
of nothing but terrible pain.
The first one had at Long Branch
came on about three weeks after my ar
rival, when had walked too far in the
sun. Tom was alone when | staggered
into the house, nearly blind, and he
put me down on wide lounge in a
lower room, darkened the windows,
and put cold water on my head.
"Amy will be here presently" he
said, "she has gone to ride with Net
tie. III keep Nettie out of your way,
old fellow. She must be rather a tor
ture to n sick man. Vivacity is all very
well in its place, but | had as lief shut
up u swarm ofmosquitoes in u sickloom
as Nettie."
made no reply, and lay mute and
miserable until the carriage drove up.
"Irg Walter ill2" | heard Amy say
in low voice. go in, Nettle, and see
if he wants anything"
"You can attend to him." said Net
tie, coldly. 81 have my dress to ar
range for the hop"
"Nettiep' this in provoked whisper,
"you are not going to let half million
of money"
"Hushl !" was the sharp reply. 81
Il, In ,,,au A houuor -