The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-07-01

| LET 1t RAM. he answered impatient
ly-"c cannon balls, if it will. I want to
talk to you, Nellie
"Cannon-balls may suit your taste,
perhaps, but would scarcely be agreea-
bic to me: and as to talking out here in
the rain and darkness, l am not romantic
enough for that
He was forced to keep by her side as
she walked brislSly on.
"Where are you going he inquired,
presently.
"Home"
"Home? Why YOU are taking con-
trary direction from home"
ri think not; believe I know where
Hive"
II did not know you had removed"
"Did you not? All, here we are at
bthe gate. Please open it, if you can, on
the inside
He reluctantly obeyed, but raised the
latch so slowly as to detain her while he
whispered:
"Nellie, you have not given me the well
come you promised. You have not said
those words"
II don't believe you really want me
to say them,,' she answered, very much
inclined to laugh, yet almost frs htened
at her own audacity.
"Not want it? 70 know how I love
your
II don't believe it is me that you
love" she returned, pushing open the
gate.
"Good heavens, Nellie, how strangely
you talk! Who, then, do you imagine
love?"
II am sure I don't know" said Nellie,
slowly raising her veil and pushing
back the hood. II don't know, but 1
am certain it can't be mel"
And she looked up in his face with a
demure, pursed-up little mouth, and
brown eyes shining with suppressed
1nirth through their long, black lashes.
| He stood gazing upon her as if pet
rifed with astonishment. Then deep
flush crimsoned his handsome face and
his eyes flushed with an indignant
light.
II beg your pardon!' he said, with
ceremonious politeness. "Of course it
is a mistake on my part"
II supposed it was" said Nellie, de-
murely.
III mistook you for another he
said, both embarrassed and angry.
"Was that my fault?'' she returned.
"But you-you certainly allowed me
to rest under the del1,sion"
''That was for fun"
"Fun %
'Perhaps [ was wrong. Indeed now
rather think that I was,' said Mel
lie, coloring beneath his gaze. ':But as
neither Of us shall ever mention this adj
venture, suppose no harm is done,"
she added, coolly.
He regarded her an instant with a
strange, undecided expression.
II beg your pardon! am keep
ing you in the rain" he said.
"Geod evening"
And, lifting his hat with icy politeness
he walked away.
Nellie, as she entered the house, was
met by her elder sister with a shower
ofquestions as to who was that elegant
looking man, how she had met him,
what he said.
unlike herself in general, she re-
own room, threw aside her Waterproof,
changed her dress, and, seating herself
before the fire, gazing absently into the
glowing embers. Presently she laughed
then bit her lip with Il vexed express
sion, and finally began to cry.
II wonder what makes me do such
silly, unlady-like things?" she thought,
II am always getting into some ridicu-
lous scrape or other What an opinion
he must have of me? I shall be really
ashamed to meet him again, as sup
pose must, if he is Mr.. Gray
Then her mood changed.
II don't care. He may be as dig
nified as he pleases, but he shall never
see that trouble myself even to re-
member this ridiculous walk, and the
horrid old umbrella'
Presently another change came over
her,
"Poor fellow! I can't help pitylng him
for fear this has been nj erely rehearsal of
the real act. Why, Nellie Archer was
in the parlor with Captain Lloyd nearly
two hours this afternoon, when she must
have known, from that letter, of Charles
coming. I wonder if she ever said to
the captain-or to young Doctor Bliss
what she said to her cousin? Poor fell
low! And Nellie has been showing his
letters to all the girls! She could not
have done 50 had she loved him."
Nellie Caldwell was correct in her an
ticipation of again meeting with Mr..
Charles Gray. The society of the little
town was very gay; and what with
church fairs and parties, and other
social amusements, it was impossible
that these two should not be thrown to-
gether.
Nellie blrshed in despite her utmost
endeavors to look unconscious, when
Mr.. Gray was first presented to her; but