The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1880-04-23
WLLLFtJL NELLIE.

ford, sewing by the low, open window.
49, Nellie looked 50 pretty, nestled down i
r. the great crimson chair, her lovely fac
as sweet and dimpled as a child's that on
could not help loving her, though sh
were the most self-willed, obstinate, pro
u- Voking little bundle of feminine contrarie
ty that ever lived. Shutting the bool
with observable energy, she remarked, il
tone of the deepest solemnity:
A. mo, l never would?"
''Never would what, Ncllie?" asket
r. Cousin Mary. Remember, dear, we arc
ignorant of your thoughts
"Why," replied Nellie, sI'd never
marry Mason, that wouldn't, if I died
an old maid. Just fancy ones husband
belonging to lodges, taking degrees, and
possessing all sorts of secrets, not one of
which his wife is ever to know. I detest
~ the whole brotherhood, and all their signs
and mysteries
A faint wave Of color flushed for IN i'll
stant over Mrs. Seatord's pale cheek.
did you not know, Nellie, that Harry
twas a Mason?"
mo, /. Pardon me, | did not mean
to say anything TO wound Your feelings" :"
stammered Miss Nellie, glancing compass
slonately at poor Hary's young widow.
L knew that Capt Scaford was 4 brave
soldier, but never until this moment that
he was u Mason.'
Yes, he was member Of the sdetestel
brothcrhood,' and learned to love the
order for his sake. When saw him dead
sword and regala by his side mutelv
speaking of life and glory past-there was
no room in my heart for either doubt or
jealousy that he had kept one secret from
me-"
/ A sigh that was half sob welleA I'D
from the young Widows broken heart.
and with bent head and tremulous lips
she silently left the room.
Tears were sparkling III Nelie's eyes
but she would not acknowledge herself to
be in the wrong.
Tom left his comfortable seat OH the
veranda, and smilingly approached the
chair of his pertinacious lady love.
''What is that you were saying, Nellie,
about the mystic fraternity?"
81 said | would not marry Mason:
SO, If you have any thoughts of becoming
one, please remember my una1terable re-
solve" she answered, saucily.
| eff such indeed be your unalterable de-
termination, then, dear Nell, you will
never be my wife; for I-don't look as if
you were ready to annihilate mel am
a Mason!"
'If you are a Mason, Mr.. Chandos, YOU
have shamefully deceived me; and here
and now give you back your promise, and
with it the pledge Of our betrothal." She
| proudly drew from her finger q superb
diamond ring, and calmly handed it to
Mr.. Chandos. ''Take back your Gift. sir,
for l do assure you | mean to keep my
word. I will not marry a Masonic
''Think again, DEAR" said Tom gently
'1ou are wee bit angry, just now, and
it would be ungenerous of me to take you
at your word. BY tomorrow you will
have gotten over your pet, and
"NeverI" interrupted Nellie, turning
away her disturbed features. s'Atter
what you have told me viii not-can
not be your wife,
'"Then good-by, little Nellie. You were
ever a spoiled, willful child, but L had
not thought you quite so perverse.' T,
Tom coolly put the ring in his pocket, Z
took his hat, bowed, and in q moment was
gone.
For the first time Ill all our acquain-
tance I was really angry with Nellie
Wilton.
''What a goose you are, Nell, to discard
a man who loves You so truly, and so
patiently puts up with al your veNing
little tcmpers, for such ridiculous rea- il
son! l am heartily ashamed Of you, that i
I am. Take my advice, and recall him d
before you sleep this night. Tomorrow i;
it may be too late, for patience, like every Z
thing else, has its limits, and ! fancy yollI f
have tried Toms to the utmost" Y
''Seyer!" she cried, bursting into tears. d
SAnd it is very cruel Of you, Ruth, to +
take sides against me. | won't beg him 0
to return. won'tif fit breaks my hc;i-r-t ~ o
''You could not have loved Mr.. Chandos S
very deeply, that's certain, and so perhaps 0
it's just as well that you should be free h
from nm, sald With assumed lnuil1ef- 9
ence. t
but dld, slle iiasllea otl, hotly, tfE- 7
ing in vain to stifle her sobs, N did love i
him dearly, and don't care VINO KNOWS 5
IT, And you arc cruel, heartless erea-
tnre, that you are, Rufll Forrest, 70 sup - u
pose that dlah h.V: u u
''Ihen why IN the name OF common q q
sense, Nell, dId you SEND nm TO me right :
about SO summary:
"oh, dear, howzst'lpld you VS. kutll:
Don't you sec = had. CO. after Wnaf 4a
said? ! know shall cue, but ! CON- j
care, ! wish 4 was dead TINS minute, ior &
what's the good of iixlns = :6t m never fo d
see Tom AGAIN." G
And with this final summing up OF her o
woes. Nellie ran up to her room, threw threw Ii
herself on the bed and crled herself INTO D
raging SICK heaoaehe, a NOT uheol'- a
mon sequence OF glrlssE sorrows, pet'1- v
lance, and penitence, such as Miss Neii Il
was justly suffering from Is
"a week went by, but Tom eia not come. Il
Nellie hoped and Waiteo, ahd secfeFlS v
thought he might write, q II some vay ]