The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1880-10-31


ing beneath his gaze. "But as neither of
us shall ever mention this adventure, | sur
pose no harm isdone," she added, coolly.
lie regarded her an instant with strange,
undecided expression.
:" beg your pardon | am keeping You in
the rain" he said. "Good EVENING""
And, lifting his hat with icy politeness,
he walked away.
Nellie, as she entered the house, was met
by her elder sisters with a shower Of qucs-
tons as TO who was that clcgant-looking
man, how she had met him, what he had
said.
Unlike herself in general, she returned
brief replies; and, escaping to her own room,
threw aside her waterproof, changed her
dress, and, seating herself before the fire,
gazed absently into the glowing embcrs.
Presently she laughed, then bit her lips
with a vcxcd expression, and finally began
to cry.
III wonder what makes me do such silly,
unladylike things 7" she thought. "I am
always getting into some ridiculous scrape
or other. What an opinion he must have of
me shall he really ashamed to meet him
again, as / suppose | must if he is Mr..
Gray"
Then her mood changed.
"I don't care. lie may be as dignifcd as
be pleases, but he shall never SEQ that
trouble myself even to remember this ridicu-
lous walk and the iorrid umbrclla"
Presently another change came over
her.
/" Poor fellow I can't help plying him,
for fear this has been merely a rehearsal of
the real act. Why, Nellie Archer was in the
parlor with Capt. Lloyd nearly two hours
this afternoon, when she must have known,
from that letter, of Charities coming. l
wonder II she ever said to the Captain-or
TO young DIR. Bliss--what she said TO her
cousin Poor fellow And Nellie has been
showing his letters to all the girls She
could not have done so had she loved him."
Nellie Caldwell was correct in her antici-
patton 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, IL was
impossible that these two should not be
thrown together.
Nellie blushed, despite her utmost en-
deavors TO look unconscious, when Mr.. Gray
was first presented to her; but the gentle
man was so cool and composed that she
actually doubted whether he had recognized
her.
He cOnversed with her a little, danced
with her once, and, as she observed, was
chiefly interested in watching Nellie Archer
and Capt. Lloyd. And Miss Archer, proud
to show off her handsome cousin and her
influence over him, treated him very swcetly
in the intervals of her flirting with other
admirers.
Some weeks glided by, in which the ac-
guaintance between Miss Nellie Caldwell and
Mr.. Gray imperceptiby assumed more
agreeable character.
His politeness, and her equally cool in
4
vaguely felt that, despite their mutual efforts
to keep apart, there was something which
mysteriously drew them together.
Nellie attributed this to her sympathy
with his disappointment in regard to his
cousin, and often expressed the wish that
the latter would love him, as she was sure
he deserved, and make him happy by marry
ing him. II was inexplicable to her that
any girl could prefer Capt. Lloyd to Charlie
Gray.
Neither had ever but once alluded to their
first meeting.
Coming out of church one evening Miss
Archer said
"Nellie, what have you been doing with
yourself this last terribly rainy week Isn't
such weather enough to give one the
blues p
"Oh, no." she answered cleerfully. 81
ike rainy days AT nome, anu can always
find something to amuse me-"
Even in tho rain itself?" said Mr.. Gray,
OH her other side. "What an enviable dis
position is yours, Miss Caldwell, to be able
to find fun in such situation -
Nellie looked up quickly and met the
half-laughing glance bent upon her. In
stead of answering gayly back, as was her
wont, she colored, and her eyes filled with
tears.
"Mr. Gray" she said, as Miss Archer fell
behind with Capt. Lloyd. 9" want you to
promise to forget that hateful walk in the
rain. and never allude to it again.
lam not sure that could keep such a
promise-at least the first part"
"That means that you haven't forgiven
me-
II really do not feel as though had any
thing to forgive, or you to ask pardon for, {"
he said, pleasantly.
II was very silly and wrong, but you see
have grown older and wiser SINCE" said
Nellie, demurely.
If the increase of wisdom is in proportion
to that of age," he commenced, but was in
terrupted by Miss Archer.
"Nellie, arc you and Charlie flirting,
or what is that mysterious whispering
about3"
"We arc not ilirting,'' returned Mr.. Gray,
coolly. Miss Caldwell does not flirt, have
observed; and for myself, you know l detest
it,"
&c know you have some old faslOned a nd
absurd notions" retOrted his cousin, laugh
ing. "One must be very prudish and old
maidisll to meet your ideal of perfect woman
hood, Charlie"
And again Nellie Caldwell felt conscience
stricken, remembering that unfortunate
Al,
must have produced on this very particular
young gentleman.
Some time after this there was picnic at
picturesque old mill few miles from town.
Nellie Caldwell spent rather tiresome day,
wondering why il was that she could not on
Joy herself as usual, and envying Nellie
Archer her high spirits. To-day, ut least, she
observed that she and Mr.. Gray seemed TO be
getting along unusually we'll together, she
appearing radiant, and he serenely happy.
~ wonder If they are engaged 7" she
thought, and did not feel nearly 30 elated rs
she ought TO have done at the probability OF
such contamination.
lIe sought her ont occasionally, but had
little to say, seeming to prefer reclining at her
feet OIL the turf beneath the willows, looking
dreamily OH the water, or up into her face as
she talked.
Several young ladies observed that they
both looked very stupid and uninterestcd at
each other.
As tho evening waxed late there was
sudden mir among the company. II was GER
tainly going to rain, some weatlier-wisc
prophet had declared, and the elder portion of
the company, at least, were anxious to get
safely under shelter before the shower came.
Mrs. Caldwell collected her dessert spoons
and her daughters, who had come with her
in the family carriage.
Why, Nellie" said one of her young
companions, you are surely not going so
soon. 1t would spoil the party; and, besides,
you will miss the plantation songs and your
fav0rite Virginia reel"
Mr.. Gray stepped forward.
Would Miss Nellie accept seat in his
buggy and would Mrs. Caldwell intrust her
daughter in his charger If so, Miss Nellie
could remain to enjoy tho reel and yet arrive
at home almost ~ soon as the carriage with
the fat and lazy horses.
SO Nellie stayed, and her spirits rose I'M