Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1879-04-26
NELLIE GRAHAM;
"Heneefasth We Are Strangers,
BY w. A. IeSUEUR.
CHAPTER I.

u
ham in vexed, imperious tones, "drink
You must, or-never speak to me again,
sir"
"Nellie, do not insist cannot, ho
answered in a grieved though resolute
voice, putting aside the jeweled hand
that held towards him glas Of spark
ling wine, II cannot, let tho consequent
ces be what they will"
cam to understand, sir, that you
refuse even at the cost Of my hand :"
she said, in hooking sarcasm.
"Nellie," he replied anxiously and
earnestly; "you know that l would be
greatly sorrowed to lose you-my heart
could not give up its idol without many
bitter pangs. Oh, do not press me-thc
temptation might be greater than can
withstand. Remember the solemn pledge
have taken-never again to take the
glittering beverage Of death. No, no, l
cannot-will not violate that solemn
pledge as long as God gives me reason
to battle with temptation. l would
first suffer my right wrenched from my
body. 1t is too sacred, and sheds too
many bright assurances about my path
way. So, please, ask me not again."
He ceased for moment, while Nellie
eyed him with naughty Indignation,
then continued:
"Somc may claim that have 10 NOR
oil right to set aside my free agency in
this respect, but tho God who gave it
ordains it also our duty to love one an
other, and to unite in the attempt to
protect the weak and erring Of our race,
Many of our fellow mortals have fallen
into the"
"Hold Not another wordw Interrupt
ted Nellie, peremptorily waving her
hand, her eyes blazing with scorn and
indignation. "Henceforth, we're stran-
gcrsw
And she strobe majestically past him
to tho opposite end of the brilliantly
lighted hall.
Paralyzed, he stood looking at her un.
til she disappeared through the group
of astonished witnesses.
He might have been mortified too, but
his pride was swallowed up in the i'll
tensity of his affections.
Like ono in a dream he stood, until
his stunned senses were brought back
to active life and stern reality.
At last he said:
"God forgive you, Nellie-my heart
bleeds too deeply for censure."
Pressing his hand upon his bosom as
if in pain; he walk slowly and sadly out
Of the mazes of myth and dance down
the magnificent marble stairway to med
itate upon the sorrow and misfortune
that had so suddenly befallen him.
Many were the eyes that followed him,
and admiration beamed from each and
every one. But this was not all, a hum
of admiration followed the last sound OF
his footsteps from the ringing hall be,
low.
Our story opens at the occurrence of a
grand masquerade and fashionable ball.
It was given by Mrs. Hartwell, wife OF
one of the most wealthy and influential
men in the thriving little Southern city.
The ball had been rendered in honor
of the engagement of James and Nellie,
and, credit to her wit and genius, it was
q brilliant success.
The splendid gothic residence bore
every trace of elegance al luxury, and
the brilliantly illuminated rooms, en-.
HANGED and adorned by the glittering
habiliaments, varied beauty and spark
ling intellectually of the guests, con,
tanned everything calculated to interest
or instruct.
The arrangements of the evening were
perfect, and grace and enjoyment mark
ed the swiftly speeding moments until
the scene just described occurred to mar
the occasion and interrupt the tleeting
pleasures.
Challenged by several thoughtless
young friends, Nellie determined to try
tile extent of her influence over James
by inducing him to do that which he
was pledged not to do-drink glass OF
wine. Poor girl, she miscalculated her
power, and lost!
Mrs. Hartwcll was not present to wit
ness Nellie's failure and the natural dis
comtiture of James.
But the news soon spead to her ears,
and panied and mortified, she sought
the rebellious Nellie with the hope that
all differences would be amicably adj
justed.
But no, Nellie was immOvable, and
James-he was nowhere to be found.
Nellie was the daughter of Harvard
Graham, a retired merchant, who had
five years previously, when Nellie was
but thirteen years of age, thrown aside
the perplexities Of business and devoted
himself entirely to her education. o
She was his only daughter-only child.
Her mother died when she was but a
baby. He had petted and humored hel
from that time forth, and without q fond
mothers counsel against the seeds OF
sel6shness, it was only natural that he
should grow up little hayward and
petulent.
Still, at heart she was good and gen
erous-ever ready to forgive and forget
awrong. 1t was this that won James
k..-A II, bc,of =, &;n,o 70 N,,r,ro hors