The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-12-30


his bachelorhood
The table was all ready when the light
step sounded again ON the stair, and the two
doors simultaneously opening, Nellie and
Richard stood face to face with each other.
Aunt Lottie fastened to introduce them,
but almost stopped short in the midst OF it.,
with blank look of surprise.
Richards face assumed IN expression of
icy rigidity, while Nellie had flushed GRIM
son, and returned his ceremonious bow
with IN mir of the most distant hautiur.
Uncle Joel and Aunt Lottie stared; but it
was no time for inquiry or explanation, 80
the party sat down To supper. But instead
of the pleasant repast they had anticipated,
I'M uncomfortable stiffness and restraint
hung over the meal.
Richard talked with Uncle Joel, rambling
~, about city trade and country crops; and
Nellie answered Aunt Lottie's remarks IN M
absent, nervous way, and barely tasted the
rolls and cartridges, on which Ann had ex-
pended her utmost skill.
And when supper was over, Richard went
out with Uncle Joel to look mt the new dogs
to Nellie's apparent immense relief.
IL am glad he's gone!" she exclaimed, i'm
pulsiyely,
Nelly, you don't seem to like Richard"
Like him, Aunt Lottie? hate him."
This was so utterly unlike Nellie. that no
wonder her aunt looked up from her knit
ting in surprise.
Nellie, have you and Richard ever before
metz"
"Yes," she answered. About yearago
at Clairmont."
"Clairmont? The Astleys place? remem-
her Dicks being there on some hunting oc-
casion. Strange that he never mentioned
having met with You; and you never men,
toned him Nellie. What has he done to
make You dislike him? can't imagine Dick =
being rude to lady, even Internationally. "
He was never rude to me. Please, dear
Aunt I.ottie, don't ask me about 1t. You
would laugh Mt it, perhaps; but can never
forget it, And, auntie, i cant stay here
while he is with you. mean TO home to-
morrow, by the noon train"
Ellen, You surprise me" replied the old
lady, in some displeasure. 'You must not
think of such n thing. What would your
Aunt Bentick say, if we allowed you to 80
off in such II way, and before your visit is
half over? If you don't wish to be in the
same house with Richard, will send him
away; but you are not to think of leaving
us"
Nellie made no answer, but she set her
pretty lips together in way which showed
that, despite all her sweetness and gentle
ness, she could be firm when there was
cause for II.
And rs they heard Richards step in the
hall-Uncle Joel had fingered behind on
some business-she sprang up, kissed hel
aunt in way which quite melted that lady's
heart, and, bidding her goodnight, ran
hastily from the room.
Richard glanced around rs he entered,
and looked relieved on finding Aunt Lottie
alone.
81 am gld she has retired, he said, in a
tt'ae in which was something of bitterness.
Richard, what is this between you and
Nellie?" demanded Aunt Lottie, gnvely,
Il really can't Inform you only know
that she treated me shamefully. l confess
Aunt Lottie that / had been very much in
terested in her, and her conduct was such
as would have encouraged any man. In
deed / am certain that she at first liked
me. And then all of sudden she entirely
changed, treated me almost insultingly, and
hirted outmgeously with Metcalf-a brain
less flop, whom she had not until then no.
ticed. She'sa ally ,heartless cOquet-that's
ALL"
Then Aunt LOttie entered warmly into q
| defence of her niece, and was sure thai
| Richard mnst have unintentionally done
| something dreadful to have so offended her
There is probably some misunderstood.
ing" and the best way is to have IN exph.
nation. Many a heart has been broken, ana
many life rendered wretched, for want OF
up everything"
But the young man laughed scomfull,
at tho idea of his STOPPING to ask m expla.
nation after the treatment he had met with
| lie did not care-at least not now-for Mel
| lie, and he did not wish TO zee her again
lie meant to leave in the morning by the
| tiye-o' clock train.
And, as this seemed the best thing under
| the circumstances, mis- aunt did not attemp,
| to dissuade him-only sighed Ms he babe hei
good night and good-by.
II was so unfortunate that Dicks visit
| should be spoiled!
"Don't be downhcartcd about it, Char
lotte, her brother said, consolingly. I've
an idea that the boy'll come back to us be-
fore long for good. City life don't agree
with him, and now that j am getting old
and lazy, I've been thinking Of handing
over to Dick the management of the planta,
ton, mentioned it just now, and he took
| to the idee IN alrnest.
When Miss Lottie came down TO breakfast
next morning, Nellie, contrary to her usual
custom of early rising, hab not appeared
''She doesn't know that Richard has left,
the old lady said. Coup, Ann, and tell her.
please, mum" said Ann, with n look OF
surprise, II thought You know'd M Miss
Nellie went away this morning.
| Nellie gone away"
Eyes, mum; Just little while after Mas
ter Dick went"
Good grncious! Then they've both run
away from each other, and both gone by the
same train
They found n note on Nellie's dressing.
table, begging dear Uncle 10 and Aunt Lottit
not To be angry with her, but she cOuidn
stay in the same house with Mr.. Richard Al.
bright and she ,rouM not have him ban.
ished on her account. And when he wa
gone she would come back, il they and Aun
Bentick would let her, and finish her visit
| "Well-well," said Uncle 10, I'VE must lei
'em have their own way, suppose; but young
folks are mighty quare creaters. IL they
could only have fancied each other!' ht
added, regetfully.
Meantime, Nellie, with rather guilt,
and remorssful feeling, had hurried ava.
with little black Jake to carry her valise-
her trunk could he carried by express-ant
succeeded in reaching the station, half ,
mile distant just in time to catch the train
Flushed and excited she took q seat, ant
looked out of the window ut the panorama
flying past, quite unconscious that q littl'
behind her was young gentleman regard
ing her with much interest, and evidentl.
anxious that she should not perceive him
'Ran away from me, j suppose, younl