The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1880-04-02

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What will people sayf" l remarked, pre-
tending to be nightly surprised.
II can't help what people say. I'm
not going to remain here, and allow Mr..
Chandos to think I'm pining for his re-
turn"
'Oh, nobody would suppose that,
Nell; least of all Mr.. Chandus. He has
given you up, dare say, and troubles
himself very little about you, one way
or the other"
"lndeed! You are very wise, Miss.
Forrest; and now l will 60 home, since
you presume to know Toms thoughts SO
Intimately WE'LL" replied Nell, with
great dignity.
The above conversation took place
while we were on our way to visit poor
woman who was quite i'll, and whose
husband had recently died of consump-
tiOn, leaving her entirely destitute, with
three children to support, and not a
friend or relative in the whole wide
world.
We found Mrs. Hammond much bet
ter, though still very pale and weak ;and
sitting beside the bed, attentively listen
ing to the poor widows tale of want and
suffering, was handsome, gay, careless
Tom Chandos.
Nellie's face grew crimson, and the hot
tears sprang unbidden to her eyes, but
Tom did not seem to notice her confus-
ion. He bowed politely and arose to CO.,
but l detained him."
"Well, really, Mr.. Chandos, this does
surprise me; for of all places under the
sun, this is the very last where I'd ever
/ thought of meeting vou."
That's because you believe me to be
orouEhly selfish, and so am as a gen.
eral thing; but Mrs. Hammond has no
small Claim on my benevolence, and l
came to do what l could for her in her
present sore distress"
"Claim! Why, how can that be?
don't understand you at all, Mr.. Chan
| dos"
perhaps not, but there is nothing 30
very strange about it. Mrs. Hammond's
husband, whom l never saw, was a
miserable Mason, which explains the
reason of my being here, and sinks me
still lower in the estimation Of at least
one fair lady, I feel quite sure" he said,
glancing roguishly al Nellie.
ooh, please, Tom, don't Saw another
word" she sohbed. at isn't that I want
to be restored to my old place in your
heart-I dare not hope So much-but
only to he forgiven, and then 60 home
and die; for Pm hateful, silly, willful
little plague, and no good to anybody,
and I'd just as leave be dead as not"
The trembling hand she timidIv held
out was quickly put aside. Tom caught
her in his arms, and kissed her half a
dozen times, regardless of the astonis-
ment of good Mrs. Hammond and the
gaping wonder of the three little Ham
monds.
81 began to think you did not love me
one Bit" she said, smiling through her
tears.
"Well, I must confess, did not take
it much to heart" replied Tom, with the
utmost assurance. Because, YOU see.
Miss Nell, I knew you better than you
knew yourself. and felt confident of win
ming you, despite your solemn assevera-
ton never to marry a Mason"
"Oh, you did? And l like a simpleton,
crying my eyes out and breaking nv
heart all for nothing. PIl never do it
again, Tom-never, as long as live"
81 hope not, dear; for l hope you will
never again lose your temper for such a
trifa," he answered very gravely.
"No, only do like to have my own
way"
eyes, am quite convinced of that,
but you must learn to bow gracefully to
the inevitable, for you are fated to marry
a Mason"
81 know, but I wouldn't, Tom if you
hadn't happened to be the Mason"
Unanswerable argumentl Tom said no
more.