The daily gazette., 1879-10-07
LOVE FOR NELLIE.
BY q. GLENN.

BY q. GLENN.
John Ashton married his wife Nellie
whom she was but ninete en-one year
befor the opening of this story-apd
their welded life had, thus far, been one
of unalloyed happiness.
John was the senior of his wife, and
stalwart, sinewy fellow.
He had migrated to the far West in
search ofN fortune.
Locating upon q stream which emptled
into the Mississippi, he bad erected a
mill and gone into the business of saw
ing and shipping timber.
A settlement had already grown up
around him, and he was on the road to
well-earned success.
Marshall Packard, whO had accompa-
MED John Ashton to the West, was his
Overseer and assistant.
He was a thick-set, powerful man,
Of swarthy complexion, but his hair
was black, thick and bushy, and be
had luxuriant, curly, black mustache.
At dark one evening Nellie was sitting
at the open window.
She was waiting for some one, patient.
ly waiting until twilight deepened j, 20
darkness, and the cool night air famed
her tear-bedimmed check; then, and
not till then, she rose, with deep
drawn sigh, and closed the window.
With weary mind she began 10 pre-
pare supper for her husband.
An hour passed away, when she heard
hasty footsteps approaching the house.
"It's Johns step. At last he comes,"
Nellie said rushing to the door, and
| throwing her arms around the neck of a
man who entered.
"Oh, John, you have come at last y
cried she.
But when her lips approached his face
| she started back confused.
1t was not John!
When she looked, she saw the dark,
| swarthy face of Marshall Packard.
81 just met your husband" said he,
and he seemed strangely nervous and
| confused. "IIe has sudden business
down at the landing, aud will not be
home until morning.
Morning came and John did not re-
turn.
Days went by, and there were su'pi-
cioI of foul play, but searching far and
near failed to reveal anything relative to
the missing man.
! Three years passed, and no tidings ol
John Ashton.
In the meantime, Nellie still lived in
the settlement, while Marshall Packard
conducted the business for her.
She began to think of her husband as
dead, and grieved over his loss will
ceaseless regret, when one day a lettel
was handed to her.
When she saw the handwriting, he
heart leaped wildly, as it used to do a
the sight of John or the sound of biz
voice.
1t was so long since she had felt any
emotion that it nearly overpowered her
Tears of joy filled her eyes at the
thought of the words of consolation and
hope, and the promises of long-last hap
piness at last to be realized, which the
letter might contain.
Rt last she opened it and read:
"NELLIE: This letter is post-marked
New York, butII shall not remain here
l am bound for England, under q new
name, and with bride, whose fortune
am free to say, is her only attraction
release you from every tie, and advise
you to marry, as have done.
"JoHN ASHTON"
Was it possible, after all she had suf
rered, all the weary years she had waited
and loved 80 devotedly, her love must
OF the pastP
She was stunned with despair.
This sorrow nearly crushed out Mel.
lies young life, but after long illness
she arose from her bed calm and re
signed.
She had entirely and for ever given ur
the idea Of seeing John again.
To her he was dead now, and he, theil
love, and their brief married life, were
remen oered ss dseam.
Marshall Packard, the only person to
whom she told her secrect, advised her to
forget, as far as possible, the man who
had so basely wronged her.
One day she took book.
Almost unconscIously her eyes closed,
and she slept.
She had been thus for about half an
hour, when Marshall came into the
room.
When he saw her, he stood still for a
moment, and looked at her.
Noselessly he came and sat beside
her.
With an involuntary impulse, he took
her in his arms, and pressed warm kisses
on her lips.
With start she awoke, and as she
opened her eyes murmured:
| "Johnp
"Nellie," he said, s.it is not John, but
one who loves you better than he, for he
will never leave you."
Her face grew crimson as she recog-
nized him, and she struggled to free her
self.
But he held her fast.
"You shall not 60 until I have spoken!
love you! Why still think of one who
has deserted you? He is as dead to Yen
now-perhaps he is really dead! II
not, he is forever lost to you in this
world!
"Therefore, listen to the love which
comes to console you, and which is true.
l will be all to you that he should have
been! will love you the better for the
sorrow he has caused you! i will con-
sole you for alp
Nellie shrank from him.
Her face was pale with despair.
She trembled with fear and horror.
At last, when she could speak, she
said:
81 thank you for your sympathy and
l pity you for your love. know what
you must suffer, but l cannot forget
him. Let me go, beg you, and for