The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1879-02-06

/ say and live where / wish"
The color waved again in John Hollis
face, and he drew quick breath. Some
impulse to speak seemed to come upon
him. Glancing up for his answer, Nellie
saw the change and added word:
You see, John, I like Albert Leigh
ton better than 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, aud
reaching to break slender twig.
HE never asked me to-" she an
swered demurely.
&c suppose he means to, doesn't he ?"
asked John, looking at her with a glance
that might be called almost naughty.
"How can I tell ?" Nellie pouted.
Men are 30 queer. The most of them
would rather wait to be asked, think. /"
If you want my advice, will give
it," John said, twisting and finging
away the little twig in his hand. eff
you like Albert, don't keep James Lee
in suspense. You have no right to do
it. You can't seriously think of mar
rying one man when you prefer another.
If Albert likes you, as I believe he
does, take him. He's good fellow"
You think so2" the girl said, look
ing up suddenly.
81 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 little
pale, her eyes downcast. At the gate
she stopped.
81 will not go in, now," she said, in
a low tone. "I will 60 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
l violent Irritation with Bessie Holt,
Johns sister, and in a 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, mischievously.
81 hope he isn't marrying my sister
,ut OF pique toward you," John said,
oddly. IF didn't think Bessie loved
him too well to give him up, I'd tell
her."
"Ard 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. l
think he seems to like Bessie"
When are you going to get mar
ried ?" he asked abruptly.
The question came 80 suddenly that
for once the girl lost her composure. A
crimson blush swept over her face, and
she dropped her eyes without being
able to speak word.
OF course, che recovered herself in a
minute, and protested that she had no
thought Of marrying. Any woman would
have done the same. But the blush had
convicted her in John Hollis eyes, and
he scarcely heard word that she said.
1t 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
a friend seven or eight miles off in the
country. Even before Nellie's blush
had faded, the trampling and jingling
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, ALI
other group came up from distant
window, and they allran gayly out and
and bundled into their places.
The party passed of as such things
usually do. All seemed to enjoy them
selves; Nellie was lovely as pink and
full of mischief, Leighton was attentive,
and John Holt was cheerful and kind to
everybody. He was fully as quiet as
usual, to be sure, and rather avoided
Nellie Cramer, but it is doubtful if any
one but herself noticed that.
1t was twelve o'clock when they start
ed to go home, and the moon had set.
At first their gayety held out, but after
mile or 30 fatigue and want OF sleep
began to tell upon them, and one by one
they fell into silence.
"John," Nellie said, "there is Just
room for me on the seat with you. May
1 come there? 1t is cold here"
He made room for her in silence, and
she left her discounted escort and took
her place next that strong shoulder.
Then silence fell again but after
awhile, in the darkness, John Holt was
aware of a light pressure against his
arm, then a soft, plaintive whisper stole
into his ear.
I am so sleepy, John p
He turned a little-why not they
we're old friends-and lifted his arm to
the back of the seat, took the head softly
and tenderly to his bosom. And so she
lay in that faithful and tender clasp till
they drew near home then, with one
whispered word of loving gratitude,
"Nobody is so good as you'll" she drew
away, and took Albert Leighton's hand
to step out at her own door.
After a stir in his own mind, John
Holt concluded that Nellie and Albert
had quarreled. He sighed, since she
could not hear and so be annoyed,
pitied the girl, and then went steadily
about his work. The waters of his soul
were too deep for babbling.
When spring came, for the first time
in his life John electrified his friends.
He was going to California. The an
nouncement was made quietly but firm
ly, and he stood like a rock, against
which expostulation beat itself to spray.
He gave good reasons, and absolutely
maintained his right to choose for him
self.
Yon have always said, mother, that
you wished 1 were more venturesome, +"
he said. 81 am going to please you
now,"
But how is the farm to get along
without you ?" she objected.