The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-10-18
expected to say somsthing, John present
lv said "YesY'


shrug, and looked up. 'Its very good
Offer" she went on. 81 suppose you will
guess from whom. It is James Lee.
told him would think about it. and tell
MIN my decision tomorrow. Now, he's
very well off, you know, and when his
father dies he will be rich. But then, of
course, there's no hurry about that.
But the trouble is this, James will live
all his days in Riceviile, I am positive,
and that is dreadful. You know l want
to live in city, and want my husband
to make figure in the world. And
James, why, James is almost as much Of q
deacon as you are.'
"You are complimentary" observed
John Holt, with certain quiet dignity.
The blush had quite gone from his face;
and some of the brownness seemed to
have gone, too; for he looked slightly
pale.
90, don't mean any harm, you cross
fellow" Nellie said hastily. "You know
l think you are splendid"
81 am much obliged to you," he said,
with stiffness which was quite new to
his manner.
80, if you don't want to advise me, !
won't trouble you," the girl flung out, ris-
ing in pet.
"Come back, Nellie," he said, kindly.
"1am not cross only tell me what you
want"
She seated herself again with little
quiver in her lip.
81 want you to tell me what you think
of James Lee. Tell me if you think I'd
better marry him. Tell me if you think
he cares enough for me to go just where
say, and live where wish"
The color wavered again in John Holt's
face, and he drew quick breath. Some
impulse to speak seemed to come upon
him. Glancing up for his answer,
Nellie saw the change, and added o
word:
"You see, John, ] like Albert Leighton
better than do James"
The color and light dropped out of his
face again, and rim of even white
teeth pressed for an instant his under
lip.
"Then why don't you marry Albert
Leighton p he asked, looking up into tho
tree that spread over his head, and reach
ing to break slender twig.
"He never asked me to-" she answered,
demurely.
81 suppose he means to, doesn't he %
asked John, looking at her with a glance
that might be called almost naughty.
"How can tell % Nellie pouted.
"Men are so queer. The most of
them would rather wait to be asked,
think"
"If you want my advice, I will give it,
John said twisting and tlinging away the
little twig in his hand. eff you like
Albert, don't keep James Lee in suspense.
You have no right to do it. You can't
seriously think Of marrying one man
when you prefer another. If Albert
likes you, as l believe he does, take
him. He'sa good fellow"
"You think SO ?" the girl said, looking
up suddenly.
81 think So" he repeated, turning
away. 'Now let's go up to the house" +"
she>rose and walked quietly up by his
side, her fair, girlish face little pale,
her eyes downcast. At the gate she
stopped.
q will not 60 in, now," she said, in q
low tone. 81 will go home"
He merely bowed, and looking back
after a few steps she saw that he had not
entered the house, but was stealing of
toward the barn.
The next week James Lee commenced
a violent filtration with Bessie Holt
Johns sister, and in a month the two
were engaged. Nellie laughed and
turned the light of her smiles upon AL.
bert Leighton, a handsome, dashy fellow
who had been crazy about Lee for the
last six months. John Holt said nothing
but was rather cool about his sisters
engagement.
"You see, suspense would have killed
him." Nellie whispered. mischievously.
II hope he isn't marrying my sister out
of pique toward you," John said, cold.
ly. "lf didn't think Bessie loveG
him too well to give him up, I'd tel
her."
"And betray my confidence, Johr
Holt" Nellie exclaimed. 81 tell you, he
is like most of you men-purely selfish
He didn't care a fig about me. l thiul
he seems to like Bessie"
"When are you going to be married p
he asked abruptly.
The question came so suddenly tha
for once the girl lost her composure. A
crimson blush swept over her face, ant