Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1878-05-17

uOu huOW uuou idiuOCu,
but l came to consciousness perceiving
a fragrance of cologne water near me,
and knowing something was held to my
lips. tasted wine, but | was to weak
to speak. Little cool hands arranged
some soft bundle under my head, and
then fan stirred the air around me. |
must have slept, and again awoke.
Very near me, on the next seat, |
heard sweet, low voice, saying:
"We get off at the next station, and |
hate to awaken that poor sailor for my
handkerchief. l 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 hand
kerchief! You are so horribly impul-
sive II is very forward and unmaidenly
to have been fussing over strange man,
at any rate. You don't know how he
may annoy you"
Low and sweet, quivering little,
came voice in answer:
"He will never annoy any one. If
ever death was written in face, saw
it in his face"
at is none Of your business"
at is my business" You may scold
as you like. If 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 water. just
as the train stopped. The conductor
shouted "Elizabeth~ and the ladies be.
hind me gathered up their traps and de-
parted.
l could only see linen busters and
brown wells. as they walked down be-
tween the seats, but kept my scat.
Elizabeth bad been my own destina-
ton, for Tom had always 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 identity 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 wanted
my shaved head to be covered my emac-
lated face to fiji out before Nettie saw me
again.
, | had my taste amply gratifed. and
rebelled when the doctor ordered sea
, voyage to perfect my recovery. But he
had his way, and it was summer be-
fore / returned home again, and accepted
Toms invitation to his cottage at Long
! Branch.
1--WE have concluded to take cottage
at Long Branch this summer" he wrote,
"and want you to join US, if possible. in
July"
: How can I describe Nettie-Nettie
, Raymond still-after three years of sep
aration? Beautiful as ever; animated
accomplished, she was fascinating to all
But the imp of mischief had not quite
deserted her, though she was more dig
9 ni6ed. She was not openly saucy al
/ she had been, but could put stings int
, quiet, apparently innocent speeches, and
! often WINGED under her satire.
For did love her then. Every hou
added to my admiration-my affection
G yet there was never in her manner on,
: atom of encouragement on which to ham
| hope.
, Although ! had recovered my healtl
: and strength almost entirely, | was still
r subject to attacks Of headaches that pros
t trated me for hours--consciou of moth
e ing but terrible pain.
The first one / had at Long Brancl
Q came on about three weeks after my ar
rival, when had walked too far in tn
= sun. Tom was alone when | staggered
] into the bouse, nearly blind, and he pu
me on wide lounge in lower room
{ darkencd the windows, and put cold
( water on my head.
= "Amy will be here presently" he
! said, "she has gone 10 ride with Nettie.
8 I'll keep Nettie out of the way, old fell
low. She must be rather torture 10 a
sick man. Vivacity is all very well in
its place, but had as lief shut up a
swarm of mosquitoes in a sick-room as
Nettie."
made no reply, and lay mute and
! miserable until the carriage drove up.
an? Walter i'll p heard Amy say
10 low voice. $50 in, Nettie, and see
if he wants anything"
"You can attend TO him, said Nettie
rather coldly. II have my dress 10 ar
range for the hop"
"Nettie p this in provoked whisper,
"you are not going to let half million
Of money"
Hush" was the sharp reply. II
wish he was a bcggar."
"He would be very much obliged to
you"
But Amy little dreamed she spoke the
truth. Nettie wished | was bcgQar
Why Could il be that my wealth was
the barrier between US, that as bcggar
| might have won her love?
Ny heart tbrobbed heavily as Amy
opened the door Of the room where lay,
and came softly to my side.