The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1878-09-25
What Mr.. Lowth, auntie ?

w nat MT. LOWln, hunUe
Manfred Lowth. He is a shipper
from BE- ston. Belongs in my set
Nellie found another handk erchief,
gave a defiant glance at her pale face
in the mirror, and turned to her aunt.
Il am ready
They went down to the dining-roOm
and took their places side by side. FIX
actly opposite Nellie sat Manfred
Lowth, mixing lobster salad and chat
ting softly and gayly with Mrs. Yer
non, of New York. At Nellie's right
hand sat Ned Rowland, her old beau
from Manchester. Lowth looked up
and bowed to her. She returned the
salution, then turned to Ned How
land.
Perhaps for an hour she flirted-
never afterward. After dinner she
went to her room, bathed her head
which ached terribly, then joined her
aunt in the parlor. There was Man
fred LOwth, who stood at her side q
moment and exchanged few words
with her, then sauntered away. But
Ned Rowland bent over her chair all
the afternoon. At night she went to
bed ieverish and i'll. A week passed.
Nellie became aware that Ned How
land loved her. He was a good-heart-
ed, good-lOoking. but rather effeminate
young man; handsome and very win
ming, however, and year before Mel.
lie might have loved him, but, truly,
loving Lowth rs she did, the thing was
impossible. She final Y told him frank
ly and kindly that she did not love
him.
They were sitting alone on the rocks
at twilight.
You used to like me, Nellie said
Rowland, his lips growing pale under
his pretty mustache.
Il like you now, Ned
But | think you used to love me
a little, Nellie
She clasped her hands nervously.
That was not love, Ned; oh it
was nothing like Lowell Don't talk to
me any more, please. l am sorry you
are grieved, but can't help it. Don't
blame me, and be kind to me. have
my own troubles to bear
He got up and went down the rocks.
She did not know whether he was
offended or not, and, suffering fiOm
keen sense of her sorrows, she hardly
cared. She knew he would be in love
with some one else within a week.
There were bitter tears in her eyes
as she looked over the ocean. Sudden
ly a firm hand was laid OH her shout
der.
Nellie, how do you know SO well
what love is?
Because | have reason to know,
she answered, passionately.
Nellie, Nellie, he said. L love you.
Will you answer me as you did Ned
HowlandY
NO.
'WhyP
Because l love YOU
She was in passion of tears, sob
bing as if her heart was broken.
Nellie. little pet, what are you cry
ing in this way for?'
'All this time she began.
'All this time,' he interrupted, Il
have been waiting to see if you really
loved me. l left you and you did not
forget me, but lost your roses and turn
ed pale when we met. Your words to
Ned Rowland, which | overheard,
proved what a true hearted girl you
are, and if l promise to devote the
rest of my life to your happiness will
you forgive me for causing you this
pain ?
Nellie expressed her forgiveness
very concisely and sweetly, and Mrs.
Betram's heart was made glad by the
announcement of her niece's engage
ment to Manfred LOwth.
| think it was on her wedding day
that Nellie showed Manfred Lowth
shining curl of brown hair. carefully
preserved, which she had found i'll her
stocking that March morning, and it
was very much like Mr. Lowth's own.
So much for the sign of the first
robin.