The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-08-17
Selfrf Stnry.
NELLIE'S HERO.

"It.was talked about when you were
in your cradles, dear, and then there was
a jesting argument that when you two
grew up you should be married. And
surely YOU might do worse than marry
Mr. Allen Trevor"
Nurse Gleason, who was just like q
mother to motherless Nellie Huntley,
finished pouring the jelly she was making
into a gorgeous mold, united her white
eap-strings, and taking off her .specta-
cles, rubbed them energetically.
Sand now, Miss Nellie, do get down
from that table-there's dear child
and 60 dress for the COMPANY Your
father will be waiting, and right angry
he'll be, too. Come, dearie."
mo, won'tp'
The diminutive figure, perched upon
the kitchen table, swung its little slipper
ed feet back and forth, and pushing a
cloud of yellow hair from a rosy face,
looked up into the honest counlenance
of the old woman with pair of mis-
chievOus eyes.
"No, nurse-that's darling-don't
make me go. I've been shut up in that
horrid boarding school for two years
now that I'm home for good, don't make
a martyr of me can't bear it--indeed
I can't. And won't!' she added, soto
voce. .t
"But, Miss Nellie" continued the good
woman, smile beginning to creep
around the corners of her mouth in spite
OF her efforts to look grave, "you forget
that you're young lady now-seven-
teen, remember. and since your poor
dear mother died. you, as the only child,
are expected to Fl her place, and assist
your papa in his hospitality. So many
nice gentlemen, too, dearie, and Mr..
Allen Trevor among the rest"
81 hate him. Bah! Let old Miss
Renshawe take my place. She's my
chaperone, and it's her duty. Beside,
I'm sick, and don't feel like going near
the drawing-room to day. It's heap
nicer down here with you, nursie, than
to be acting prim and stiff up stairs
not allowed for moment to forget po-
sition, family, and all that stuff. See
herer'
She sprang lightly from her high and
uudignifed seat, and began pacing up
and down the wide old kitchen-so cool
and beautifully -clean-her lovely bead
held aloft with mock dignity, simper-
ing smile on her face, and a mimicking
gait that was very ridiculous.
She paused in front of mold OF jelly
clear and transparent-and, arming
herself with spoon, con6scated gen.
erous portion.
"Queen in the kitchen, eating bread
and honey!' she sang, gayly.
She turned suddenly as she spoke, and
with dextreus movement firted2 tie
white cap from the decorous old wo.
mans head, and pcrched it lightly upon
her own. Then seizlng the spectacles,
she placed them on her own straight
aud rather diminutive nose, and then,
deaf to Nurse Gleason's remonstrances,
she folded her arms sedately upon her
bosom, and walked sedately toward the
door, just as it opened from without,
and tall form stood upon the threshold
Mr.. Allen Trevor!
81 beg your pardon" he began hasti-
ly. Like Paul Pry, II hope 1 don't in.
trude p
"No," responded Nellie, saucily, and
trifie coolly, mot any more than you
do"
A flush shot across the fine dark
cheeks of the intruder.
He replaced the hat which he had
doffed, and with low bow, disappear
ed.
"Miss Nellie Huntley, I've a mind to
he downright angry with youv' exclaim-
ed Nurse Gleason as the door closed.
"The very incest young man in the
country, and the one your papa wishes
you to be specially gracious to-"
"That's just it, nursie; ! don't like
nice young men. They are so prim and
stiff and goody. A man must be gay
and dashing, brave and chivaIrous, to
win my esteem. I'm in earnest, assure
you, and shall never marry man Who
has not proved his worthiness by some
deed of daring-something to estab-
lish his claim to the title of manhood
In short, he must be a hero, and accom-
plish something noble before l could
care q picayune for him. Did Allen
Trevor ever do brave deed2 II so,
the world has kept very silent concern
ing il, or his noble actions must have
been performed in darkness, and have
never yet been illuminated, or elimina-
ted ether"
She paused to draw long breath, and
restore the old woman's cap to its legit-
innate resting-place. Had she not been
thus pre-occupied, her quick eyes might
have caught glimpse, through the wide
open window, of a tall form and dark,
handsome face, whose owner had paused
to light cigar, and had overheard every
word the little witch had uttered.
Allen Trevor smiled to himself-a
queer little smile it was, too, and meant
volumes; snd putting leisurely at his
cigar strolled away.
A few days afterward party set out
from Huntley Place for the purpose OF
passing the day among some old ruins,
which were considered picturesque, and
quite the thing fol excursionists TO do.
They we're going on horseback, and a
merry time was anticipated.
They reached the ancient ruins, found
them "asl that fancy painted them, u
strolled around the garden connected
with the old buildings, played croquet
and firted, and finally sat down to din
ner. about as contented party as one
would wish to see.
During the whole day Nellie's father
had endeavored to bring the young
couple together, an intention which the
young lady Immediately OWNED and un.
derstood, and straightway Mr.. Huntley
had his hands full.
"When woman will, she will, you
may depend on it," And every unar.
preciated and apparently innocent effor,
on the part of Mr.. Huntlev only made
the demure maiden shun Mr.. Trevor the
more.
As / was saying, the party we're sit
ting at dinner, an improvised table lader
with good things, plenty OF ice and
long-necked bottles being predominant
In the midst of merry laughter and ga,