The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1879-02-13

better marry him. Tell me if you think
he cares enough for me to go just where
say an6 live where I wish"
The color waved again in John Hollis
face, and he drew quick breath. Some
impulse to speak seemed to come upon
him. Glanoing up for his answer, Nellie
saw the change and added word:
"You see, John, I like Albert Leigh
ton better than I do James,"
The color and light dropped out OF
his face again, and rim of even, white
teeth pressed for an instant his under
lip.
"Then why don't you marry Albert
Leighton?" he asked, looking up into
the tree that spread over his head, and
reaching to break q slender twig.
che never asked me TO-" she an
swered demurely.
CT suppose he means to, doesn't he ?"
asked John, looking at her with glance
that might be called almost naughty.
"How can I tell ?" Nellie pouted.
Men are 80 queer. The most of them
would rather wait to be asked, think. "
eff you want my advice, I will give
it," John said, twisting and hinging
away the little twig in his hand. "If
you like Albert, don't keep James Lee
in suspense. You have no right to do
it. You can't seriously think of mar
ryiDg one man when you prefer another.
If Albert likes you, as I believe he
does, take him. He's good fellow"
You think soa" the girl said, look
ing up suddenly.
"I think So" he repeated, turning
away. "Now let's go up to the house. "
She rose and walked quietly up by
his side, her fair, girlish face q little
pale, her eyes downcast. At the gate
she stopped.
"I will not 60 in, now" she said, in
low tone. "I will go home"
He merely bowed, and looking back
after few stops she saw that he had
not entered the house, but was stealing
off toward the barn.
The next week James Lee commenced
violent Irritation with Bessie Holt,
Johns sister, and in month the two
we're engaged. Nellie laughed and
turned the light Of her smiles upon Al
bert Leighton, handsome, dashing fel-
low, who had been crazy about Lee for
the last six months. John Holt said
nothing, but was rather cool about his
sisters engagement.
"You see, suspense would have killed
him." Nellie whispered, nnischievously.
"Ihope he isn't marrying my sister
out OF pique toward you" John said,
,oltly. "If I didn't think Bessie loved
him too we'll to give him up, I'd tell
her,"
Gard betray my confidence, John
Holt" Nellie exclaimed. "I tell you,
he is like most of you men-purely self.
ish. he didn't. care fig about me. ]
think he seems to like Bessie"
"Wben are You going to get mar
ried ?" he asked abruptly.
The question came so suddenly that
for once the girl lost her composure. A
crimson blush swept over her face, and
she dropped her eyes without being
able tc speak word.
OF course, che recovered herself in q
minute, md protested that che had no
thought of marrying. Any woman would
have done the same. But the blush had
convicted her in John Holt's eyes, and
he scarcely heard word that she said.
It was winter, and while they talked
they were waiting, with half dozen
others, for large sleigh that was COM
ing to take them out to party given by
friend seven or eight miles off in the
country. Even before Nellie's blush
had faded, the trampling and jingline
at the gate attracted their attention, and
Albert Leighton put his head in at the
door to call them. Bessie and her lover
came forth from an adjoining room, all.
other group came up from distant
window, and they allran gayly out and
and bundled into their placee.
The party passed off as such things
usually do. ALI seemed to enjoy them.
selves; Nellie was lovely as pink and
full of mischief, Leighton was attentive,
and John Holt was cheerful and kind tc
everybody. He was fully as quiet at
usual, to be sure, and rather avoided
Nellie Cramer, but it is doubtful if any
one but herself noticed that.
It was twelve o'clock when they start
ed to 20 home, and the moon had set
At first their gsyety held out, but afte,
a mile or 80 fatigue and want of sleel
began to tell upon them, and one by on'
they fell into silence.
"John," Nellie said, "there is jus
room for me on the seat with you. MAJ
| T come there? 1t is cold here"
He made room for her in silence, ant
she left her discounted escort and tool
her place next that strong shoulder.
Then silence fell again; but afte
awhile, in the darkness, John Holt wa
aware of a light pressure against hi
arm, then soft, plaintive whisper stol'
into his ear.
"I am 80 sleepy, John !"
He turned 6 -ittle-why mott the.
were old friends-and lntsl his arm Il
the back of the seat, took the head soft.
and tenderly to his bosom. And 80 sh
lay in that faithful and tender clasp til
they drew near home then, with on
whispered word of loving gratitude
Nobody is so good as you'll" che drey
away, and took Albert Leighton's ham
to step out at her own door.
After stir in his own mind, Johl
Holt concluded that Nellie and Alber
had quarreled. He sighed, since sh
could not hear and 80 be annoyed
pitied the girl, and then went steadil
about his work. The waters of his sou
we're too deep for babblng.
When spring came, for the first tim
in his life John electrified his friends
he was going to California. The an
nouncement was made quietly but firm
", and he stood like q rock, agains
which expostulation beat itself to spray
He gave good reasons, and absolutel
maintained his right to choose for him