Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-11-18

hearts TO Dfeak, OT IL tu6y nave, u QeV
silk dress will speedily cure the wors
case of heartache ever known"
But in my case, / don't know bu1
what shall marry Nell"
"She loves me and l should be rathel
proud of such a handsome wife; besides
isuppose should be bitterly envied BY
the village gallants for carrying off th'
prize" .d
mind you, but out of consideration fol
her fathers money bags-ha, hal"
"Really, your ideas are peculiar, Mr.
Cole, and should like to converse fur.
ther with you upon the subject, but just
at present that is impossible, as Harry
and have an engagement which ht
seems to have forgotten; so must re-
mind him, and therefore bid you good.
| night"
And, bowling, he entered the parlor,
and shortly after his late companion saw
him issue therefrom arm in arm with
Harry johnson, and together they went
quickly out of sight.
| "Oh, Harry, cousin Harry. I shall
certainly die, know shall, It was
too ridiculous ~ cried an unmistably
girlish voice. ......--. j.
And again clear rippling laugh burst
| from the lips of the onewho was SO late
ly introduced as Tod Asher. q
"Don't Nell, for goodness sake! II
you predict such dreadful things, I'll
never again consent to aid you in any
more of your harum- -scarum freaks. But
by all that is laughable how Cole will
be cut up when he discovers the identity
of my old friend Asher!" -
And the young man joined in the girls
infectious mirth.
"And to think" cried Nell still laugh
ing, 'of the miserable creatures boast
ing to my very face that he would bring
Nell Atherton to his arms! Ugh! /
there, and the only thing that restrain
make fuss and then everybody would
have recognized me-" l5
"I'm very glad you didn't, Nell you
would have spoiled our denoument.-
And as Cole really needs taking down,
Pm not sure but that it may be a very
good lesson for him. Oh, blythe. by,
when is the final understanding to take
placer"
Next Tuesday night. And now re-
member, Harry, you are not to be in the
room with the girls, that would make it
rather too embarrassing for me. But
you can listen in the conservatory, and,
after the affecting part is over, you can
make your appearance as quickly as you
choose-the sooner, the better"
"All tight. Nell, you're trump. I
wish all the girls had your good looks
and Spirits" said Harry admiringly.
"Thanks, cousin mine; and now good
night. l'm almost tired to death. 1
suppose it is from dragging around these
clothes all the heavy evening. Ugh!
think of having to wear such things all
the days of ones life."
And with laugh that had little of
weariness In it she ran gayly up the
stairs.
"You promised me my answer to-
night, Nell. darling. What is it? Am
| to be the happiest, or the most misera-
BILE. of men ?" a-
"Well, really, Mr.. Cole, you are so
impatient; one would almost believe
your heart is concerned"
"Alas have no heart. Your bright
eyes charmed it from me weeks ago, fair
Nell. Why will you torture me thus ?"
II torture you? Positively you amuse
me. The idea of lady;s having the
power to annoy you. How absurd!"
And she laughed gayly, apparently
quite at her ease; while her suitor, COM
pletely nonplussed at her odd behavior.
gazed at her wonderingly, then said, af-
fectionately.
"What has come over you, sweet one?
You were not won't to be so sarcastic.-
Do you delight to see the sorrow you in
fiict on a loving hearth"
"Ha, ha, ha! Do you know what that
is, Mr.. Cole? I thought you did not
believe in love-"
He started, and gazed rather curious.
ly, then exclaimed reproachfully:
"How could be blind to such charms
as yours, my peerless Nell? Come, have
done with all this irony. and tell me you
"Never!"
And her clear voice rang out contemp-
tuously.
"What! you refuse me?"
And he sprang angrily to his feet.
II do most decidedly; and more than
tRas, aeis.d + tell you that ! ds'piss y'n' Mr..
"Madame!" cried he, in blank aston
ishment.
"Yes, sir, do. I depise a braggart
and coward. A coward you are or you
would not talk so lightly of the ladies,
and win their hearts but to break them.
You are braggart, because even to a
stranger you do not hesitate to boast of
your conquests, and venture so far aa to
mention the names of your lady-loves.u
Who told you all thisa" gasped the
astonished man.
"You did, Mr.. Cole! suspected you,
for your flattery was 80 fulsOms.h
II determined to try your fidelity, and
Disgusting myself in mans attire,
sought the ball room with my Cousin
Harry, and was by him introduced to
you as Tod Asher. You yourself began
conversation on subject which had
intended to lead you to, and you know
the rest"
Very well madam; since you are so
well satisfied with your achievement,
which permit me to say, was at the least,
unladylike, I will bid you good even
ing"
she threw wide the folding doors, near
which, by design on her part, they had
stood during the entire conversation,
and disclosed to the gaze of her discom.
flied suitor, smiling circle of the fairest
young ladies of the village.
Ladies'" cried Nell, addressing them,
II promised you novel kind Of enter
tainmelt, and I think you have had it,
Hereafter you will know how to value
the fine speeches of this gentleman" =
Sir" and she turned to Cole, who
had all this time stood motionless, as If
changed to marble, ''you can 60 we de.
sire your presence here no longer.
"Had you been more man, 1 should
have called upon those who have q right
to protect me from your insult but as it
is, would not trouble them. I can de-
fend myself. Now CO."
And she raised her beautiful arm, and
pointed toward the door, out of which