The Republican journal., 1881-04-28

"Look here, Minnie" she cried, with q
scared expression, running into the kitch-
en-, where her sister, in large apron
was connecting a tempting salad. "What
can the foolish fellow mean9 Whatever
shall | do! How can he be SO stupid"
care you sure you would like me to
read it, dear?' Marian asked.
"Read it, Minnie, pray, and tell me
what can do. Q, how foolish of him
! never should have thought it of Jack :"
"Why, NellY?" Marian asked, quietly
glancing down tAe letter,
"Why, he's nobody at all-at least like
that It's too absurd. Papa might as
we'll ask me toto marry him, It's ut
terly ridiculous'
Marian sighed for Jacks sake. She
saw it was hopeless case.
"Writc kindly, Nelly, dear she said,
gently. 81 am afraid it will be a great
disappointment to him. He seems so
sure of your affection"
stupid fellow" Nelly cried angrily.
IL was fond of him-iust as fond as girl
could be of q brother; and now it's all
spoilt, declare it's quite eNasperating,
"Thinll of him." Marian suggested,
quietly.
Nelly ran away to write her reply.
Marian suggested several additions and
eNriSions when she saw it, and succeeded
i'll achieving tolerably gentle expression
ut Nellys decided refusal The young
lady, however, was Of the opinion that
the letter was by no means crushing
enough, 50 before she enclosed it in its
cover she added a postscript:
"ThiS is my tO}0hc,dbIc dcrisi0R,
shall nercr chn1gc my mind. Whatever
could have put such an idea into your
head ,"
Poor Jack came no more to the Man
ners' pleasant house. Marian wondered
very much how he was feeling over his
mistake. but was far too delicate to seek
his confidence, so she too, held alOof. \
week hence they heard that he had OBJ
tanned commission in the north, and had
left BloXham for an indefinite period.
Nelly was a little indignant that he
should have gone off without saying
good by: :" but her mind was too occu-
pied with certain other thoughts which
were filling it Just now for her to think
very much about Jack or his concerns.
only tender hearted Marian wondered
how he Was bearing the keen sorrow she
knew he was feeling and comprehended
all the misery that was expressed in that
sudden flight.
Edward Archer was paving long visit
to his relations, and seemed very natural
ly to have slipped INTO the familiar in
tercourse that Jack had 50 freely in
dulged with the two girls His admira-
ton of Nelly was open and evident !;
he praised her pretty hair, her charm
ing taste her untlagging cheertulness.
with the utmost freedom. With Mar
ian he was much less frank, Vet he
was always kind and attentive, and anX-
ious for her to accompany them in all
their expeditions boating, croGuet, or
lawn-tennis. Even when his summer
holiday was ended, and he had returned
to town, Saturday and Sunday frequently
saw him at BloXham. Nelly guessed very
we'll what brought him though he did de
clare that the boating there was irresSti-
bic, and an afternoon on the river Was
better than amy amount OF tonic.
one Saturday afternoon. late in the
autumn. he called and found Nelly out.
"IfNc wait till she returns, he said to
Marian, eve shall get no boating, for the
afternoons are growing very short Will
You not come at once ?"
Marian heSitated.
"Nelly VIII not be in till tea time: If
You are to go at all You must not wait for
her, Mrs Manners remarked, ''and in
deed, Marian, think you require little
air; YOU have been staying in, dear child,
with me all the week"
Marian was quite pleased to have the
recreation, only little pcrpleXcd that
Edward should be so willing to start with
out Nelly. She was still more perpleXed
when, OH reaching the river, Edward
quietly remarked:
"Will you mind taking a walk along
this lovely bank instead Of having row
this afternoon :"
''Not at ALL" Marian replied, unsuspic-
iOusly. "Perhaps you are feeling tired" "
NO it is not that. 4 boat is not the
most convenient place for conversation,
and | want to talk to you. Marian"
''It is about Nelly" thought Marian
warned 10y something in his tone and
manner; and somehow, gentle and IN
selfish as she was, poor Marian shrank
ING the news she felt was coming.
She was one of those girls to whom
every one came with their condolences,
never taking into consideration the pos
sibility of her own feelings being enlisted
in the trouble for which they claimed her
sympathy. 1t had been so often before,
and Marian had not shirlled the pain thus
inflicted, so now she put aside all thought
of self, and prepared to hear Edwards s
story, and to aid him in any way that lay
IN her power.
They walked on some little distance in
silence. Edwards usual nonchalant ease
Of manner seemed to have deserted him
entirely. lie looked anxious and dis
tressed, started u conversation several
times on some commonplace subject and
finally drew up suddenly under a little
clump Of trees. and stood leaning against
the low wall, gazing abstractedly into
the river.
II think can guess what you want to
tell me- Marian ventured to say, pres
entity, in pity for bis evident distress, yet
wondering why he should be so dilident
''It is about Nelly.'
90, no, he exclaimed hastily. "What-
ever could make you think that, Marian !?
Did you imagine had fallen in love with
the pretty child ,"
EYES, she replied, and then her eyes
fell before his, and in a moment she saw
her mistake.
'Marian, love N0U; you think | am
rash but it seems to me ages since | first
loved you. could not wait to know my
fate any longer. Tell me that have not
ruined my cause by my haste
Who could have believed that quiet
Marian, who all this time had checrfully
resigned to Nellie the attentions that her
sister so naturally claimed, had known
her own mind perfectly well, and, in
spite of her surprise, could give her lover
her answer without moments hesitation.
mamma, look at Edward and Marian"
Nelly cried, sharply, peeping through the
deepening gloom at the two figures com
ing up the garden walk "What can it
mean ~