Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-08-22
NO. 1873.
Gales aud Sketehss.
An UNEXPECTED PUFF.

No. never will do that ~ cried Net
tie Talbot. looking with decision into her
companions face. mo runaways for
me, if you please. sir The man who has
not the pluck to walk with me out of nv
fathers house 10 the sight OF all the world,
will never win me-"
You know | would be delighted to
do that. Just give me the chance he
answered.
The young girl laughed softly, a warm
color flooding cheek and brow. Her
brown eyes dropped to hide their happy
triumph, and the little red lips pouted
charmingly.
Leslie was in earnest. lie would have
enjoyed carrying off his prize in the
teeth-false teeth-of the two quarrel
some fathers. who. by their senseess
bitterness. were filing these two lives
with honied an xietv.
Will was handsome young man; his
hazel eyes had dash of fire in them, and
his tall, erect figure would have seemed
to gain few inches in conflict with an
opponent. He was at his best now, as he
stood looking up at Nettie with passion
ate eagerness.
But she had turned away her face, and
from her station on the doorstep was
looking at the fair fields below her, with
the river seen in glimpses here and there,
and at the ocean which. like broad sill
yer belt IN the morning sunlight, lay
against the horizon on her left.
Lets do it. Nettie; say yes," per-
sisted the speaker. 81 am quite ready to
dare them all"
NO" returned the girl. smiling and
accompanying her determined answer
"a D L.s ~
disappointment was half forgotten in de-
light. I'VE can afford a lit lie patience.
Things are very well now, or would be if
only you could come here differently.
Do you know" she added suddenly. after
a brief silence. Aunt Nettie is going to
have party?"
VIII laughed.
''What has that to do with this pn
"You think 'noihing,' OF course. But |
am not quite clear about it. Your father
and mine are both to be invited, so they
will meet face TO face at last--one point
gained"
''Don't know as to the gain if theg do
meet. But we needn't settle that question.
for they won't both 60"
(Which will pay the other the respect
of staying away on his account P" asked
Nettie with a significant smile. mot Mr..
James Talbot, Will. | assure YOU; nor
unless am much mistaken, Mr.. Leslie,
Sr. know Mr. Leslie, Jr., would not in
like case"
The young mans face flashed out an
amused assent to her assertion.
'Nettie ! Nettie ~ called Mrs. Talbot's
voice hurredly from within.
With hasty farewell the young man
turned down the path. In going from his
home to his weil-managed store 1t was
his custom to take the road leading past
MIR. Talbots house; not the most direct,
to be sure, but very pleasant and prefera-
BILE
Nettie was often doing little garden
ing in the early morning, and from GRO
cuses TO asters the Spring and Summer
months, and Autumn days as well. found
attendant flowers in the front yard.
There was never any need OF Leslie's
knocking-whch, would have been an
unsafe proceeding-ior when it rained, or
when the season was too far advanced
tor out-ot-door work, she always had
dustng to do in the front room at that
hour.
As Nettie entered the house this morn
ing she understood why her mother had
called her so impressively. From the
opposite side Mr.. Talbot was coming up
the hill faster than his usual walk, his
face glowing with exercise ia the fresh
air OF late September.
Come here child" he called to Net
tie, land tell me who's that going down
the lane p
This was the last question which the
child desired to answer.
I'm very busy, father" she called.
clearing away the breakfast table with all
her energy.
But there stood Mr.. Talbot expectant
He was a man easily aroused to suspicion.
where ?' the girl asked, laying her
hand on his arm, and looking very earn
estly in the opposite direction from the
one Leslie had taken.
mot there, noddy, the other way"
"Oh !! and Nettie turned with slow
obedience.
Yes, there is something moving down
there beyond the blackberry bushes,' she
said. Its 4 hat 1 can see through the
opening IA round crowned hat. Sure
enough. father, whose is it? There may
be great deal OF enlightenment under
it, tor anything know, but there's not
much in it,"
at put me in mind of young Leslie"
returned Mr.. Talbot, '.jusJ about bread
shouldered enough for HIM, and just such
AN imperlinent sort OF Il strut. Though
for that matter what would the fellow be
doing up here, no house but ours for a
quarter of mile, and he don I want ours
- Hey Net 7" he asked. looking with
sudden sharpness at his daughter.
Want our house. fatherP | should
hope not" and the girl, very pale for a
moment, recovered herself with laugh.
Mr.. Talbot's guess at identity and his
sudden dart OF suspicion had been one OF
those stray arrows that chance to hit the
bulls eye beyond the sender's ken, and
are not followed up and registered as
triumphs. But to the daughter it proved
what she already too we'll knew, that
young Leslie would find no favor.
Mrs Wilbur. or Aunt Nettie, as her
young namesake had called her, was an
important parsonage in Armsley. Mr..
and Mrs. Wilbur owned the largest and
best stocked farm in the place. in addition
To other property. and as both wer. hos