Connecticut western news., 1880-04-14
NELLIE'S HERO.
How He Improved His Worth.

It was talked about when you were in your cradles, dear, and even then there was a testing argument that when you two grew up you should be married. And surely you might do worse than marry Mir. Allen Trevor"
 Nurse Gleason, who was just like Q mother to motherless Nellie Huntley fin ished pouring the jelly she was making into a gorgeous mold, united her white cap-strings, and taking off her spectacles rubbed them energetically.
 "And now, Miss Nellie, do get down from that table-there's dear child apd go dress for the company. Your father will be waiting, and right angry he'll be, too. Come, dearie."
 ssNo, T won't"
 The diminutive figure, perehed upon the kitchen table, swung it's little slip pered feet back and forth, and pushing Q cloud of yellow hair from a rosy face, looked up into the honest countenance of the old woman with @ pair of mischiev- ous eyes.
 "No, Nurse-that's darling-don't make me go. I've been shut up in that horrid boarding school for two sears- now that I'm home for good, don't make martyr of me. I can't bear it-indeed I can't. And I won't!' she added, sotto poce. "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 for get that you're young lady now-seven- teen, remember-and since your poor dead mother died,' you, as the only child, are expected to fill her place, and assist your papa in his hospitality. So many nice gentlemen, too, dearie, and MT. AL len Trevor among the rest"
 T hate him. BahT Let old Miss Renshawe take my place. She's my chaperofe, and it's her duty. Besides, I'm sick, and don't feel like going near the drawing-room to-day. It's heap nicer to be down here with you, Nursie, than to be acting prim and stiff up stairs; not allowed for moment to for get position, family, and all that stuff. See herep'
 She sprang lightly from her high and undignifed seat, and began pacing up and down the wide old kitchen-so cool and beautifully clean-her lovely head held aloft with mock dignity, simper- ing smile on her face, and mimicking gait that was very ridiculous
 She passed in front of q mold of jelly clear and transparent-and, arming herself with spoon, confscated gen. erous portion.
 "Queen in the kitchen, eating bread and honey!" she sang, gayly.
 She turned suddenly as she spoke, and with a dexterous movement hirted the white cap from the decorous old woman's s head, and perched it lightly upon her own Then seizing the spectacles, she placed them upon 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 toward the door, iu as il opened from without and form stood upon the threshold-Mr Allen Trevorl
 ''I beg your pardon" he began, hast fly. "Iike Paul Pry, T hope don't intrude ?"
 ">No," responded Nellie, saucily, and trifie coolly, "not any more than he did"
 A flush shot across the clear, darl checks of the intruder.
 E He replaced bis hat which he had doff ed, and, with low bow, disappeared.
 -'TNTiss Nellie Huntley, I've a mind tc be downright angry with your' exclaim ed Nurse Gleason, as the door closed The very incest young man in th' country, and the one your papa wishes you to be especially gracious to-"
 "That's just it, nursie; don't hk' nice young men. They are so prim anC stiff, and goody A man must be ga, and dashing, brave and chivalrous to vii my esteem. I'm in earnest, I assur, you, and shall never marry a man wh' has not proved his worthiness by som deed of daring-something to establisl his claim to the title of manhood. II short, he must be q hero, and accom- plish something noble before woul' care picayune for him. Did Allen Ire vor ever do brave deed? If so, tn world has kept very silent concerning it or his noble actions must have been per formed in darkness, and have never ye been illuminated, or eliminated, either
 She paused to draw long breath, an restore the old woman's cap to it's legiti mate resting-place. Had she not bee thus pre-occupied, her quick eyes migh have caught glimpse, through tn wide-open window, of tall form, and dark, handsome face, whose owner ha paused to light cigar, and had ovel heard every word the little witch had u tered.
 Allen Trevor smiled to himself queer little smile it was, too, and mear volumes-and, putting leisurely at h cigar, stro1led away.
 A few days afterward party set ot from Hnntley Place for the purpose passing the day among some old ruin which were considered picturesque, an quite the thing for excursionists "t