West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1879-05-24

/ issue therefrom arm in arm with Harry
! Johnson, and together they walked quickly
/ ont Of sight
"Oh, Harry, cousin Harry | shall Ger
tainly die, l know | shall Il was too redic-
| ulous!" cried am uumiStakahlv girliSh voice
And again a clear rippliny laugh burst
! from the lips OF the one who was 50 lately
| introduced as Tod Asher
| "Dont Nell. for goodness sake! II Won
| predict such dreadful things, In never
| again consent 90 aid YOU in any more of
| your harum- -sCarum freaks. But hv all
that is laughnble how Cole will be cut mp
when ne discovers the identity Of my old
| friend Asher,'
And the young man Joined in the girl
| infectious mirth.
And 10 think, cried Nell. still laugh
ing, "of the miserable creatures boasting
! 10 my very face that he would bring Nell
! Atheron 10 his arms, Ugh, I could have
! boxed his ears then and there and the only
thing that restrained me was the knowledge
| that hc would make fuss, and then every
| one would have recognized me "
"Im very glad YOU didn't, Nell; YOU
/ would have spoiled our d,3tOUCW,8t And.
AS Cole really needs taking down. I'm not
| sure bat that IL may Ice u very good lesson
! for him. Oh, by-the-hy. when is the final
understanding 10 take place.
| "NcNt Tuesday night. And now re-
! member, Harry, You are not TO bc i'm the
| room with the girls; that would make il
! rather too embarrassing for me But YOU
! can listen in the conservatory, and. after
the affecting part is over, you can make
your appearance as quickly aS YOU choose
the sooner, the better
"All right Nell, you're trump
wish all the girls had your good looks and
| spirits, said Harry. admiringly
Thanks, cousin mine; and now, good
night. I'm almost tired 10 death sup
pose it is from dragging around these
clothes all the heavy evening. Ugh think
| OF having To wear such things every day of
ones life
And with a laugh that had little of wca-
rincss i'm il she ran gayly up the stairs
"Iou promised me my answer to night,
| Nell darling. What is il, Am TO be the
! happicst, or the most miserable of mcutN
"Well, really, MIR Cole, YOU arr So i'm
patient one would almost believe your
heart is concerned.
"Aas. ! have no heart Your bright
eyes charmed it from me weeks ago, fair
! Nell. Why will you torture me thus
81 torture your Positively YOU amusc
| me. The idea of a lady's having power to
annoy YOU. How absurd!'
And she laughed gayly, apparently quite
at her case while her sutor, completely
nonplusscd at her odd behavior, gaZcd AT
her wondcringly, than said, aflcctonatcly:
"Nhat has come over you, sweet OneI
Gou were not won't To- be- so sarcastic Do
you delight To see the sorrow you intlict ON
"a loving hcartl"
Ella, ha, ha! DO YOU know what that is,
Mr.. Cole thought You did not believe in
love"
lie started, and gazcd at her curously.
then exclaimed, rcproachfuly;
Glow could bc blind Ia such charms
as yours, my peerless Neli Come, have
done with all this irony, and tell me you
will be my own sweet bride
"Ncvcr,'
And her clear voice rang ont contempt
ously
What. you refuse me!'
Aud lac sprang angrily to her feet
81 do most decidedly; and more than
that, tell you that | despisc you, Mr.
Cole" "
"Madam!" cried hc, in blank asionish-
mcnt
eyes sir, do. ! dcspse "A braggart and
a coward A coward You Gre or you would
not talk so lightly of the ladies, and win
their hearts but TO break them. You are "a
braggart, because even TO a stranger you do
not hesitate 10 boast of your conqucsts and
venture so far rs 10 mention the name of
your lady loves.
Who told you all this gaspcd the as
tonishcd man.
"You did, Mr.. Colcl I suspected you
for your tlattcry was so rulsomc
81 determined to try your fidelity, and
Disgusting myself in mans attire, ] sought
the ballroom with my cousin Harry, and
was by him introduced TO you as Tod
Asher
"Gour yourself began conversation ON a
subject which / had intended To lead You
TO, and you know the rest
every well, madam; since You arc so
well satisfied with your achievement,
which, permit me to say, was at the least
uuladylikc, will bid you good evening.
Ono, stay - moment, cried Nell as she
threw wide the folding doors. near which.
by design ON her part, they had stood dur
ring the entire conversation, and disclosed
10 the gaze of her discounted suitOr q smil-
ing circle of the fairest young ladies Of the
village.
Ladies', cried Nell. addressing them,
'I promised you novel kind of entertain
ment, and think You have had IT, Here
after you will all know how TO value the
fine speeches of this gentleman
"Sir, " and she turned 10 Cole, who had
all this time stood mOtionlcss, as If changed
10 marble, "yOu can go; wc desire your
presence here no longer
Had you been more % man. ! should
have called upon those who have % right to
protect mc from your insult, but as 10 is.
would not trouble them can defend my
self Now co.
Aud She mised her beautiful arm. and
pointed toward thc door, out of which her
ahashed sutor was only too GLAD to escape
The merry peal of laughter which fol
lowed him rang in his cars long after tbc
house had been left behind
'Woll, Nell, laughed Harry as hc
joined Them "that unfortunate fellow has
had lesson he'll not soon forget
$50 much the better, Harry. rctortcd
Nell; "I did NOT mean that he should for
get it I've taught him better than 90
mako game of the ladies, at least for a time
And, I'm sure, girls, and she turned APP
pealngv io her friends, "you al join no
in rejoicing that q william has been uu-
masked.