The Plymouth Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1878-1901, 1879-06-12
NELLIE'S HERO.
BY MRS. e BURKE COLLINS.

y y
married. And surely you might do
worse than marry Mr. Allen IT vor. "
Nurse Gleason, who was just like a
mother to motherlsss Nellie Huntly,
finished pouring the jelly she was
making into agorgeous mould, united
her white cap strings, and taking of
her spectacles. rubbed them energet
ically.
~And now, Miss Nellie, do get down
from that table-there's dear child
and 60 dress for the company.
Your father will be waiting. and right
angry he'll be, too. Come, dearie."
mo, 1 won'tl"
The diminutive figure, perched
upon the kitchen table, swung its
little slippered feet back and forth,
and pushing cloud Of yellow hair
from a rosy face. looked up into the
honest countenance OF the woman
with pair OF mischievous eyes.
mo, N usie-thai's darling-don't
make me go. I've been shut up in
that horrid boarding school for two
years-now that I'm home for good.
don't make martyr OF me. 1 can't
bear it indeed can't Aud won't. "
che added. sotto roce.
But, Miss N 'llie," continued the
good woman, smile beginning to
creap around the corners Of her
mouth, Ia spite OF her eff ,rts to look
grave, you forget that you're a
young lady now-seventeen, remem-
ber-and since your poor. dear moth
er died, you as the only chill, are ex
pected to fill her place. and assist
your papa In his hospitality. So
many nice gentlemen, too. dearie, and
Mr.. Allen Trevor among the rest"
Il hate him-bah! Let old Miss
Renshawe take my place. She's my
chaperone and 1t is her duty Besides,
I'm sick, and don't feel like going
ne the drawing room day. It's a
heap nicer down here with you, than
to he acting prila and stiff up stairs;
not allowed for moment to forget
pos ton, family, and all that stuff
| See b. rel"
She sprang tightly from her high
and undignifi "a seat, and b ,gan pac-
ing up anil down the vile old kitchen
so cool and beautifully clean-her
ievely head held aloft, with mock dig
nifty. a simpering smile on her face,
and a mincing gate-very ridiculous.
She paused In front OF mound OF
jelly--clear and transparent-and
arming herself with a spoon confis-
Gated a generous portion.
% Ieen in the kitchen. eating bread
und honey" she sang. gaily.
she turned suddenly as she spoke,
and with a dexterous movement.
flirted the white cap from the decor
Gus old woman's head, and perched 1,
lightly upon her own. Then, seizing
the spectarles, she placed them upon
her own straight and rather diminu.
tive nose, and then. deaf to Nurse
Gleason's remonstrances, she folded
her arms sedately upon her bosom
and walked towards the door, list as
1t opened from without, and tail
form stood upon the Threshold Mr.
/ Allen Trevori
II beg your pardon" he began
hastily. Il mistook the way. Like
Paul Pry, i hope 1 don't intruder
@No," responded NeIlie, saucily. ant
trifle cody, mot any more than be
did,
A flIsh shot across the clear. dark
cheeks OF the intruder.
BE replaced the hat which he hat
doffed, and with q low bow, disap
peared.
Miss Nellie Huntly. I've a mind t
be downright angry with you!" ex
claimed Nurse Gleason, as the doc
closed. "The very Hicest young mai
I'm the country, aud the one your pap,
wishes you to be especially graciou
to-"
That's just 1t, Nursie; l don't lik,
nice young men. They are so rrin
and stiff. and goody. A man must b
gay and dashing, brave and chival
rous to win my esteam. I'm la earnest
I assure you; and never shall MARI,
a man who has not proved his worth
mess by some deed OF daring
thing to establish his claim TO tn,
title OF manhood. In short, he mus
be hero, and accomplish something
noble before I could care picayun
for him. Did Allan Trevor ever do
brave deed? II so. the world has KEEP
very silent concerning it, or his nobl
actions must have been performed II
darkness and have never yet been IL
Illuminated, or eliminated. either"
She paused to draw long breath
and restore the old woman's cap t,
its Legitimate resting place. Had sh
not been thus pre- occupied. her quicl
eye might have caught a glimps
through the wide-open window OF
tall form and dark, handsome face
whose owner had paused to light
cigar. aud had overheard every wor'
the little witch had uttered.
Allan Trevor smiled to himself
queer little smile it was, too. AM
meant volumes-and putting leisurel,