Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-10-18

atty of things did not cease. There
was Nellie before Inc in all her
beauty, all her sweetness, to tempt
me Oh TO love her. There was Joe,
with all his exuberance OF spirit, and
as unsuspicious as a child to tempt
me OH to love. He seemed to do all
in his power to bring us together.
He often inred US into interesting
conversation, or managed to get us
engaged i'll singing and playing. and
then would leave us for hours. Days
passed away and relapsed into weeks;
in these weeks | was almost the COLI
slant companion of Nellie Hall. We
we're out boating, riding, and to In
Vulnerable concerts and entertain
ments, all through the suggesting
and planning of Joe. l felt and knew
well the Danger; [ was fascinated at
first now l was irretrlevably i'll
love. The thought of breaking away
from this creature caused me pain
like unto death. [ resolved TO leave.
No matter what it cost me, the only
honorable course for HE to pursue
was to return to The city II forget
no, not forget, for never could L
forget the only woman L ever loved
or could love.
Joe was absent on the day | arrived
at this determinnti"n, All the bet
ter, [ thought; it would be easier to
get away. | proceeded to pack up
and get ready to go on the evening
train. | noticed during the process
of packing, that the long body of
Long vas Ovcrshadowing me. He
seemed determined not to let any
thing escape his observation. AT
length, when l had finished my work,
he approached me. His long arm
was raised to his breast pocket, and
from thence he distracted a letter,
which he handed me. | tore it open.
IL was from Joe, and read:
"TbOmas Thurston, you are traitor;
| no longer doubt your perfidy. Long
has watched yon and Nellie closely.
1t is Useless 10 deny your intention
of clipping with her. | demand sat-
.isfaction, and it can only be had from
your hearts blood. Meet me OH the
river bank, aud by the light of the
moon. and i'll the presence of Long,
we will settle our differences. JOE"
| looked up. Long aud disappear
ed, and i'll his place stood Nellie.
"Why Tom, you're not going to
leave us, are your" she asked.
I thought she addressed me in a
tone of regret. l looked in her bright
eyes-such beautiful, loving eyes I!
How could l pain herr How could l
drive the blood from her checks and
the light from her Eyes by showing
her JOe's letter aud telling her all
She came very close to me, and SAID,
cOaxingly:
Don't go, Tom; 1 will be SO lone
ly here now"
81 cannot stay. Nell. I regret to
have to leave"-my words came fast
and almost inarticulately. 81 ought
to be OH my way now, and / can only
stay long enough to bid you adieu."
"But, Tom, what will Joe say =?
Surely you will stay till he comes u
she cried.
mo, no ; [ cannot, Nellie; indeed
l cannot. [ can never forget the hap
pincss | have had here this summer ;
but l must leave you now, and | fear
-it-is-forever."
clasped both her hands very tightly
in mine.
"Forever" she repeated. ooh, Tom,
forever"
What u world of tenderness, of re- |
gret, in her in%tonations 1t died
away as a wall of woe.
"No, Nellie, never shall l see you
Never shall ! clasp these little
hands in mine-never hear the music |
of your sweet voice. l shall never
see you again-never!"
"Neter!" The moan died away,
and the beautiful eyes were raised to
mine in %speechless agony that wrung
my heart with pain.
A chuckling noise from behind
startled us. 1t broke into a laugh,
then into loud shouts and frightiul
intermingled with hideous
outlaws and a woInau's musical laugh,
till the hills echoed and re-echoed the
Nellie's face was suffused
with bushes, and she drew away
me, but l clasped her more
a light breaking in on my be-
wildered brain.
"Ha ! ha! hal" roared Joe, while
Long emitted a series o%fstrangc sounds
very like q laugh. clio? no! no
ha! ha! wife-TOm thought
sister Nell was-ha! ha! ha WAS
my wife"