The Osceola times., 1879-12-13
LOVE FOR NELLIE.

In search of fortune. Locating upon a
stream which empties into the Missis-
s;nni he had erected mill and gone
the business of saving and shipping
timber. A settlement had already
grown up around him, and he was on
the road 10 wcll-earned success.
Marshall Packard, who had accompa-
MED John Ashton TO the West, was his
oyerscer and assistant. lie was thick
act powerftil man of swarthy complexion
and black hair, thick and bushy, and he
had luxuriant, curly black mustache.
Al dark one evening Nellie was sittine
At the open window. She was waiting
for some one, patiently waiting unui
twilight deepencd into darkness ana
the coil night air famed her tear-pe-
dimmed check; then she rose, with a
.deep-drawn sigh and closed the window.
With weary mind she began to prepare
An hour passed away, when she heard
hasty footsteps approaching the house:
"If's Johns step. At last he comes.
Nellie said. rushing to the door, and
throwing her arms around the neck oi
the man who entered. But when she
looked up she saw the dark, swarthy
face of Marshall Packard.
~ lust met your husband" said he,
and he seemed strangely nervous ana
confused. ale had sudden business
down at the landing, and will not be
home until morning" -,
Morning came, and John did not re-
turn.
Days went by, and there were slspi-
cions of foul play, but searching far and
near failed to reveal anything relative TO
the missing man. Three years passed
and no tidings of John Ashton.
In the meantime Nellie stu hved IN
the settlement, while Marshall Packard
conducted the business for her she be-
pan TO think of her husband as dead,
and crieyed over her loss with ceaseless
regret, when one day a letter was handed
to her.
She opened it and rean:
"NEIirE-This letter is postmarked
New York, bat shall not remain here.
/ am bound for England under new
name. and with bride whose fortune,
am free to say, is her only attraction. l
release you from every tie, and advise
YOU to marry, rs have done.
John ASHTON"
She was stunned 10 despair. This
sorrow nearly crushed cut Nellie's young
life. but aftera long illness she rose from
her bed calm and resigned.
Marshall Packard, the only person to
whom she told her secret, advised her
to forget. MS far as possible, the man who
had SO cruelty and so basely wronsed
her. =
"Nellie," he said, "think no more OF
John, but of one who loves You better
than he ever could, and who will never
leave you."
Her face grew crimson as she listened,
and she struggled to free herself But
he held her fast.
"You shall not go until havcspoken!
I love YOU! Why still think OF one who
has deserted you? He is as dead to you
now-perhaps he is really dead. If
not, he is forever lost to you in this
world.
Therefore, listen to tho 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. l will con-
sole You for all"
At last, when she could speak, she
said:
Il thank you for your sympathy, and
pity you for your love. l know what
YOU must suffer, but | cannot forget him.
Let me go, beg you, and forgive me all
/ have caused you te suffer"
"Nellie,p he said, passionately, "can
YOU not love mel Is there no hope? l
1--we, and will win your love!"
Shortly after this Nellie was informed
nv Packard that he had received news
of John Ashton's death in England, and
thereupon he renewed his suit, urging
that now all legal and moral barriers
were removed.
Wearied by his opportunities, and
feeling grateful for his continued regard,
she finally concluded to marry him.
First, however, she stipulated that she
should first be allowed TO 20 to New
York, where distant relative resided,
and try to obtain conclusive evidence OF
her husbands death.
Packard reluctantly consented, and
she at once set out, arriving in due time
at the metropolis.
While in New York, one day, in com.
pany with relative, she visited the lu-
matte asylum on Blackwcll's Islands
They were making the rounds, escorted
by one of the keepers; when one of the
madmen suddenly clasped Nellie in his
arms.
The keeper rushed to her rescue.
"Don't alarm YOURSELF" cried the man
II would not harm her for the world
Don't you know me, Nellie?"
He pressed his hand to his head in Q
bewildered sort of way as he asked the
question, as If some CLEAN of intelli
gence flashed across his brain.
'Know him" cried Nellie, excitedly
at is John Ashton, my long-lost hus
bandw
IL seem as if just awakened from &
dream" said Ashton, after awhile
"Wherc am !, and what does all thi,
mean?"
Nellie was about 10 tell him all shc
knew, but the keeper cautioned hel
against exciting the patient, fearing that
he might relapse into the state from
which the sudden appearance Of hi'
wife seemed to lave awakened him.
In day or two Ashton, showing nc
signs OF a relapse, was removed from the
asylum.
He gave the story OF his adventure, SO
far as he himself knew it, as follows
II was going home from the mill one
night when Marshall Packard induced
me TO turn out of my way into the
woods, by telling me he wished TO show
me some timber the workmen were cut.
ting. We had gone some distance when
he suddenly struck me fearful blow on
the head with heavy stick, and | fell
senseless. After that have but indis-
tinct recollcctions Of wandering long
distances"
The asylum authorities stated that he
had been picked up on the streets OF
New York.