The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-12-30
white and trembling, stretch out her hands

arms to the shelter of a laurel bush by the
waysde. She had tainted, but in a few
moments revived by the water which he
had brought from neighboring brook.
she opened her eyes, and gazed up into
those looking down 30 anxiously upon her.
Then she released herself from his support,
and drew away from him.
Are you hurt?" he asked, anxiously.
"No-go away. II do not require any
assistance.
II think you do and shall not leave you
until see you safe, he said, quietly.
She turned away her head, and burst into
n nervous fit Of weeping.
He looked for an instant az though he
would have taken her in his arms again, but
| he only said soOthingly;
Don't distress yourself. There il no.
body much hurt. Rest quietly for while,
and you will feel better"
IL think you had better leave mel" she
sobbed.
"Why are you no anxious to get rid of
me?"
"Because--" She hesitated, then added
with a peculiar emphasis: Because don't
desire to be burden on your hands,
lyon could never be that"
She looked up with the old, spirited
| sparkle in her eye and curl on her lip.
Then you have forgotten your own
words"
MY own words! To what do you al
lude?"
| lyon have short memory" sarcasticlly.
IL wish had for then should have for
gotten how badly You once treated me, he
said. almost despite himself.
| Nellie regarded him doubtfully, and he
returned the gaze. Suddenly the remem-
bance Of his aunts words REQUIRED to him.
Nellie, he said, seriously, II Think
| hOpe-there il some misunderstanding on
Your part What have done to make you
| dislike me?"
| IL don't exactly-that it," said Nelly,
confused and blushing-"I had cause"
and then she stopped short.
| What cause? ] have right to ask, be-
cause am certain that you do me injus-
tee"
Impossible. l heard it from your own
lips"
| "When?"
That day-the day after the great hunt
Mt Chirmont. You and MIR. Townley stop
ped ut the spring in the grove to drink, and
began talking was on the other side OF
the great rock, gathering ferns, and-l
heard you"
"What was it that you heard?"
| lou WeTt GtlhlIlR uDout iC bciit
Ashley, and you said
| "Well?"
"You said you were disappointed in me;
that was cowardly and stupid, and could
not be trained to be of much use; and you
said had turned-up nose and big feet,
added Nelly, erecting her head with great
dignity.
| Nellie, you astonish me. can take
| oath that never spoke such words about
you," Richard protested. 81 cannot imag-
| inc"
II heard every word of it," she retor%ed,
haughtily; land heard you say, in conclu-
sion i wish you would take Nellie off my
hands, TOwnley, and let me have Bella!'
and Nellie's eyes flashed again.
Richard gl,zed ut her for a moment in
blank astonishment Then a sudden light
stole over his face-a smile curlcd his NOUS
tache--and he broke into an uncomfortable
laugh.
Nellie rose to her feet flushed and indig-
nam.
Mr. Albright, this is insulting! I regret
| that should have
Hear me, Nellie do hear me! 1t is all
n mistake on your part.
II heard every word of it, she asserted
positively.
$50 you did but it was not You and Bella
Ashley of whom We were speaking. Do YOU
remember the beautiful pair of setter
dogs which belonged to Townsley and me-?
What had they to do with that?"
"Only that TOwnsley called his after your
friend Bella, and I-excuse the liberty, if
you think it such-named mine Nellie, aft
er you and it was these Of which we were
speaking ut the spring.
And then he laughed again, while Nellie
stood confused, with averted face, and col
or coming and going in her cheek, as she
unconsciously stripped the leaves from the
laurel bush.
Nobody was noticing them, every one be-
ing intent upon his own business, and Rich
ard took the destructive little hand in his
own.
And so it was all owing to this absurd
mistake that have passed a wretched year,
Nellie. Don't you think you owe me some
amends for the injustice you have done me?
Don't you think had cause for my con-
duct?" she shyly demanded.
"Yes, certainly. IL you believed it was you
of whom spoke, and not your namesake at
Maplewood. And, Nellie, had We not bet
ter go back to the dear old place. and tell
Uncle 10 and Aunt Lottie that we have made
up like good children? 1t isn't an hour
since we left, and here comes the return
train"
Uncle Joel and his sister were seated mood
lily at breakfast, partaking Of that meal with
very little appetite.
II can't swallow morsel of these waffles,
the old lady said, MS tears rose slowly into
her eyes. II told Ann, after supper, last
night, to make them for Nellie and Richard,
rs they are both so fond of them; and now
to think that they should have left us"
"Only to come back and enjoy them with,
dear Aunt Lottie!" said CHEEKY voice" if
you will permit u.s."
"And forgive u.s. added another, in a
softer tone.
Richard stood there, bright looking and
handsome, with Nellie, blushing and smil-
ing. on his arm.
Miss Lottie let the sugar tongs fall, and
Uncle Joel, Us his gaze rested upon thepair,
opened his eyes and stroked his hair until
it bristled around his bald pate like chez
dur de fri,.
"Well, il this don't beat all y was his half
bewildered exclamation. "Has the airth
turned upside down, Dick?"
"No, sir, but the railroad cars have"
"Ah? and made pretty considerable sort
of revolution in you and Nellie, Us it seems.
But come-sit down, both Of you, and tell
us all about it.
Nellie, however, slipped away with Aunt
Lottie, and, when they presently returned,
the latter said, tiatteringly:
You're good boy, Dick, to have taken
my advice"