The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-06-07
Nell's Ruse.

Mr.. Asher, Mr.. Cole; Mr.. Cole, my old
friend Tod Asher. And now gentlemen.
that have broken the ice, you will please
excuse me for few minutes, as | see am
wanted"
And the speaker, Harry johnson, who
was general favOritc, turned smlingly
away, and crossed the ballroom to where a
group OF ladies stood gayly bcckoning him
with their fans
"Happy to make your acquaintance, Mr..
Cole" mrmurcd Mr.. Asher, in a low, mu-
sical voice.
''rhe pleasure is mutual, assure YOU, "
politely replied the gentleman addressed; :;
"bcsidcs, it is an odd.conccit Of mine, but
you seem TO me like an old friend. Your
have face is strangely familiar"
Indeed, no; | think we have never
met before. am a stranger in this part of
the country. But come, if you do not in
tend to join the dancers, let us go to the
piazza where we can watch them, and hare
quiet chat2"
"Agreed. Dancing is a bore, and ci-
gar is better companion than lady. Do
you smokc2"
And ns they seated themselves, Cole pro-
duccd cigar, and Offered one to his COM
panion.
certain whether to accent or decline the in
vitation, then replied:
"Thani You, | do not smoke at present.
My physician forbids it. am in rather
delicate health"
$50 should judge; you look anything
but strong, and your complexion is rs pale
as girls"
"lndecd!' and the speakers voice soun-
ded rather c0ntcmptuons "Do you know
that consider that rather compliment"
"Umph! Our opinions differ somewhat
on that subject, my friend. Now | don't
believe that women are SO much like angels
as some people would make them out to
be-" replied Cole.
The handsome, girlish fncc of the listener
flushed, and he exclaimed III astonislmcnt:
"You cannot have a mother and sisters,
Mr.. Cole, or you would not possess such an
opinion"
"Sisters, no-a mother, ycs-in Heaven.
She was m angel on earth, Mr.. Asher, if
ever there was one, but the girls of to-day
are not like her. They are but butterflies
and care for nothing but tlrtations and
fashions
81 hope and believe that you are mis-
taken, sir. Perhaps you have not sought
for anything deeper than what filtration
will reveal; and if so, how can you blame
the ladies' for playing the Roland to your
Oliver2" s.F
"Wcll, every one to his liking, of
course; the world is made up of oppositcs
But, I freely confess that I look upon the
ladies as merely pleasant amusement for an
idle hour-nothing more. Why, man, all
they want is tlattcry. But at present have
no time to waste on them, for got my
hands full in subjugating the proudest
beauty of them alI-naughty, lovely Nell
Atherton wish you could see her rally"
His listener smiled oddly, but replied
with eagerncss
~ wish I could. Can you not point
her out to mc?"
ooh, she's not here to night she is off
on a weeks visit to some relatives If she
were present, I should not be here, you
may be sure. No, indeed! Pretty Nell
accepts no lukcwarm attentions, can tell
you; she would chain me to her side the
whole evening. But then she's fond of me,
there's no mistake about that"
"You think so2" and'Tod Ashcr's lip
curled.
"Think Why, my dear hoy, Pm sure
It, I'd like to see the girl who could
withstand mc--ha, ha! Why, she cannot
bear to have me out of sight, tell you,
Asher"
"Wcll, and that surely must be pleas.
ant. cannot imagine anything mere
agreeable than to he with those we love-"
ella, In, hal" laughed Cole, in grca,
amusement; "but don't love her, you sec.
| have made wager that can bring hcl
to my arms, and will do it too. Pm sure
of my game; but as for love, psllaw!-l
don't believe in it.' i yU
'tBut perhaps she does" replied Asher
meaningly. 1@
"Well, what of that2 Girls have nc
hearts to break, or if they have, new silk
dress will speedily cure the worst case o
heart-ach ever known.
"But in my case, don't but know what
l shall marry Nell.
a. "Sle loves me and should be rather
proud Of such handsome wife; besides
suppose should be bitterly envied by thu
village gallants for carrying off the prize"
"But should not marry her for love-
mind you, but out of consideration for hcl
fathers money bags --la, hal"
"Really, your ideas are peculiar, Mr.
Cole, and should like to converse further
with you upon the subject, but Just at pre-
sent that Is impossible, as Harry ana have
an engagement which he seems to have for
gotten; so ! must remind him, and there
fore bid you good night" s n 4
And, bowing, he entered the parlor, ane