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

WILLFUL NELLIE.

BOOK; ner DetrOtheQ nuSoanu, LON
Chandos, enjoying his cigar out on the
veranda, half hidden from view by the
climbing roses, and my sad-eyed cousin,
Mary Seaford, sewing by the low, open
window.
Nellie looked so pretty, nestled down
in the great crimson chair, her lovely
f,ce as sweet and dimpled as a child's,
that one could not help loving her,
though she were the most self-willed. OBJ
stinate, provoking little bundle of FEM
irine contrariety that ever lived. Shut
ting the book with observable energy,
she remarked, in tone of the deepest
solemnty:
"No, | never wouldw
"Never would what, Nelle?" asked
Cousin Mary. Remember, dear, we are
ignorant of your thoughts"
"Why," replied Nellie, "Pd never
laarry Mason, that wouldn't, if |
died an old maid. Just fancy ones hus-
band belonging to lodges, taking degrees,
and possessing all sorts of secrets, not
one of which his wife is ever to know. |
detest the whole brotherhood, and all
their signs ana mysteries,
A faint wave of color flushed for an
Instant over Mrs. Seaforths pale cheek.
"Dil you not know, Nellie, that
Harry was MasonT
"No, i. Pardon me, did not mean
to say anything to wound your feelings"
sJammered Miss Nellie, glancing compass
sonately at poor Harry's young widow.
81 knew that G pit. Seaforth was brave
soldier, but never until this moment
that he was Mason"
"Yes, he was member of the de
tested brotherhood and / learned to
love the order for his sake. When | saw
him dead-sword and regalia by his side,
mutely speaking of life aud glory past
there was no room in my heart for either
doubt or jealousy that he had kept one
Ltcret from me-" ,...
A sigh that was half a sob welled up
from the young widows broken heart,
and with bent head and tremulous lips
she silently left the room.
Tears were sparkling ia Nellie's eyes;
but she would not acknowledge herself
to be in the wrong.
Tom left his comfortable seat on the
veranda, and smilingly approached the
thair of his pertinacous lady love.
"What is that you were saying, Nellie,
about the mystic fraternityw
II said would not marry a Mason;
50, if you have any thoughts of becom-
ing one, please remember my unalterabe
resolve" she answered, saucily.
-''If such indeed be your unalterahle
determination, then, dear Nell, you will
never be my wife; for don't look as if
you were ready to annihiate mel am
Mason"
"If you are a Mason, Mr.. Chandos,
you have shamefully deceived me; and
! here and now give you back your
promise, and with it the pledge of our
bctrothal." She proudly drew from her
finger superb diamond ring, and calm
ly handed it to Mr.. Chandos. "Take
back your gift, sir, for do assure you I
mean to keep my word. | will not marry
Masonw
"Think again, DEAR" said Tom gently.
"You are wee bit angry, just now, and
it would be ungenerous of me to take
YOU at your word. By tomorrow you
will have gotten over your pet, and"
"Neverw interrupted Nellie, turning
awav her disturbed features. "After
what YOU have told me I will not-can
not be your wife,"
"Then good-bs, little Nellie. You
were ever spoiled, willful child, but |
had not thought you quite SO perverse. !"
Tom coolly put the ring in his pocket,
took his hat, bowed, and in a moment
was gone.
For the first time in all our acquain-
tance l was really angry with Nellie
Wilton.
"What goose you are, Nell, to dis
card man who loves you SO truly, and
q patiently puts up with all your vex-
ing little tempers for such a ridiculous
reason! l am heartily ashamed of you,
tnat l am. Take my advice, and recall
him before you sleep this night. To-mor-
row it may be too late, for patience, like
everything else, has its limits, and l
fancy you have now tried Toms to the
utmost"
"Neverp she cried, bursting into
tears. "And it is very cruel Of you,
Ruth, to take sides against me. I won't
beg him to return! won't if it breaks
my heart"
"You could not have loved Mr.. Chan
dos very deeply, that's certain, and SO
perhaps it's just as well that you should
be free from him." l said with assumed
indifference.
"But did," she flashed out, hotly,try
ing in vain to stfe her sobs, II did love
him dearly, and don't care who knows
1t. And you are cruel, heartless crea-
ture, that you are, Ruth Forrest, to sup
pose that didn'tp
'"Then why in the name of common
sense, Nell, did you send him to the
right-about so summlrilyw
"Oh, dear, how stupid you are, Ruth!
Don't you see | had to after what I'd
said? know I shall die, but l don't
care; | wish / was dead this minute, for
what's the good Of living if Pm never to
see Tom againg
Aud with this final summing up of