The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-12-30


"Nonsense! Much you know about such
right way is just to pretend that we haven't
a thought of such thing. If they see
that we want it, they'll just 80 contrary.
We'll, mebby so. Young folks were al
ways mighty quare creaters," said Uncle
Joel, doubtfully, remembering perhaps his
own youth, and certain coquettish damsel,
whose waywardness ha d been the cause of
his bachelorhood.
The tea-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 an expression of
icy rigidity, while Nellie had flushed GRIM
son, and returned his ceremonious bow
with an air of the most distant hautiur.
Uncle Joel and Aunt Lottie stared; but it
was no time for inquiry or explanation, so
the party sat down to supper. But instead
of the pleasant repast they had anticipated,
an 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 an
absent, nervous way, and barely tasted the
rolls and partridges, on which Ann had ex-
pended her utmost skill.
And when supper was over, Richard went
ont with Uncle Joel to look at the new dogs
to Nellie's apparent immense relief.
II am glad he's gone!" she exclaimed, i'm
pulsively,
"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"
eyes" she answered. "About yearago
at Clairmont"
"Clairmont? The Astley's place? remem-
Der 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 Dicks
being rude to lady, even unintentionally. !"
He was never rude to me. Please, dear
Aunt Lottie, don't ask me about it. You
would laugh at it, perhaps; but can never
forget it. And, auntie, I can't 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 thing. What would your
Aunt Bentick say, if we allowed you to 90
off in such a 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
u.s."
Nellie made nc answer, but she set her
pretty lips together in a way which showed
taat, despite all her sweetness and gentle
ness, she could be firm when there was
cause for it.
And as they heard Richards step in the
hall-Uncle Joel had fingered behind on
some business-she sprang up, kissed her
aunt in way which quite melted that lady's
heart, and, bidding her goodnight, ran
hastily from the room.
Richard glanced around as he entered,
and looked relieved on finding Aunt Lottie
alone.
II am glad she has retired, he said, in
tone in which was something of bitterness.
Richard, what is this between you and
Nellie?" demanded Aunt Lottie, gravely,
II really can't inform you only know
that she treated me shamefully. 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
tlirted outrageously with Metcalf-a brain
less fop, whom she had not until then no.
ticed. She's ally, heartless coquet-that's
ALL"
Then Aunt Lottie entered warmly into
defence OF her niece, and was sure that
Richard mnst have unintentionally done
something dreadful to have so offended her.
There is probably some misunderstand-
ing, and the best way is to have an expla-
nation. Many heart has been broken, and
many life rendered wretched, for want of
few plain words, which would have cleared
up everything"
But the young man laughed scornfully
| at the idea of his stopping to ask au expla-
nation after the treatment he had met with.
He did not care-at least not now-for Nell
lie, and he did not wish to see her again.
He meant to leave in the morning by the
fve-o' clock train.
And, as this seemed the best thing under
the circumstances, mis- aunt did not attempt
to dissuade him-only sighed as he babe her
good might and good-by.
It was so unfortunate that Dicks visit
should be spoiled!
"Don't be downhearted about it, "Char-
lotte, her brother said, consolingly. I've
an idea that the boy'u come back to US be-
fore long for good. City life don't agree
with him, and now that I am getting old
and lazy, I've been thinking Of handing
over to Dick the management of the planta-
ton, I mentioned it just now, and he took
to the idee in airnest."
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. go up, Ann, and tell her. "
''Please, mum" said Ann, with look of
surprise, II thought you know'd as Miss