The Osceola times., 1881-07-30
THE TWO ORPHANS.

She came flving down the path, her
long. straight black hair streaming be-
hind her, her great eyes sparkling, the
dark, thin, irregular features fairly alive
with vivzeitv. She looked to the very
life like the little wild creature of Riteen
that she was; but into the lace of the
beautiful. fair haired girl whom Nell
Haviland was coming to meet there
dashed such look Of love that stran-
ger would have known that the girlish
sister was very near the heart OF Alice
Haviland.
The two were orphans, supported by
the industry OF Alice, the Oldest, VINO
was well known in town as very skiltul
teacher Of music. The younger was OF
an entirely different nature to the quiet,
steady, loveable Alice. The townsfolk
said that her bap,ismal name Of Eleanor
vas altogether too grand and stately for
such a hoydenish creature, and so 1t had
become shortened to the nonosy liable
Nell.'
alice" said Nell, "you can not guess
what have done?"
Something impossible for any one else
to do, | presume" said the sister, smiling
into the eager eyes.
Il climbed into the old oak and tied
my handkerchief to the top" said the
girl, pointing triumphantly TO the autter-
ing white morsel.
"Did you?" asked Alice, absent.nind-
edly.
"Oh, dear" said Nell, pettishly, "you
don't hear a word say. You are think
ing Of Goddard Tressil. ! wish you were
not engaged 10 him, Alice. for you don't
seemto care bit for me nowadays"
Nellie" the love in the tone rebuked
the girl, Il shall always love and care
for you. darling sister, come what may"
and putting her arm caressingly around
Nell's waist, the sisters went into the
house.
The humble supper was over Alice
was sitting at the little piano, weaving a
sweet harmony from the ivory keys,
when she heard a step on the walk that
summoned her TO the door.
Alice !" an6 her hand Law inthe hand
Of her betrothed, Goddard Tressil.
The tall, handsome young fellow that
stood before her was the heir of The
Gifts" the great mansion, around which
Law its extensive farms-"the best place
in the country"
at is too fine a night to remain in
doors, Alice. What do you cay to a
moonlight row.
1T would give me much pleasure" she
said; ard running upstairs for shswi,
she paused moment and opened the
door OF Nell's chamber. The sound OF
her low, regular breathing satisfied her
and she went downstairs to join her
lover. They walked slowly down the
path, drinking in the intense loyeliness OF
the niaht.
The moon was at its full. Great golden
stars seemed melting into blue eiher,and
white, weird drifts, like phantom fleets,
iosted across the sky.
The calm ocean endel their walk.
Each Of It's waves seemed tipped with a
diamond cres', and the refieXes trembled
in pearl and azure.
Assisting Alice into the boat, Tressil
pushed cut 90 as to clear the shore. The
little skif rocked lightly on the sloW.
,ut-going tide, and the oars splashej
with 4 musical rhythm very plessznt G,
hear. A silence fell over the two. IL was
broken by the voice of Tressil.
"Alice. | have something important TO
say to YOU Tonight"
What is it sboui?' she questioned,
wonderingly.
"About-Nell.- The words we're said
hesiisiingly, as if he were nerving HIM
self for an effort.
About Nell ?' she repeated in sur
prise.
"Ye.; where is she going to live after
We are married.
Going to hvee Why with me. oi
course said Alice, wondering What
would come next
1t cannot be, Alice. She must he
sent TO boarding-schoolo or somewhere.
why, Goddard, what put that into
your mind?" exclaimed Alice. "She
would not stay at boariing-school one
moment. Ii would kill her to separate
Us, Tor am all she has in the world
and promised mother, when she was
dying. that would never leave or for
sake the chichester entrusted 10 m.
care"
aBut, Alice, mother and Isabel said
~
Goddard, please tell me precisel,
what your mother and sister have said
so that may know just how the matter
stands
We'll, they say that they can welcome
you, very elsdly, ss a daughter and Sic
ter. but they can not endure the idea ol
having Nell under the same roof, and
she must abide somewhere else"
Aud you. Goddard" said Alice inn
pioringiy.
What can do, Alicsr' said be in 8
sort Of helpless way that struck chill ts
the girl's heart.
$50 it = Q question Of decision on my
PsH bsewesa pa - ~ da1sr NellY'
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