The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1881-07-08

4
equal. Marian was dear girl, al.
ways ready to do anything he wish
ed---a perfect treasure OF q sister /;
but Nelly, with her bright, sparkling
beauty and vivacions manner, was q
colnpanlon 10 be proud OF Indeed.
| snow, II that Isn't exasperatlag 7"
Nelly exclaimed, lfately, about
twenty mInates after Jack and Mar
Lap had started, there came an ON
inbusly vIsltor-like knock at the
door. sa5is
| It was indeed q visitor, and . stran.
ger, so Nelly must perforce put
4 down her work and be entertaining.
SMr. Edward Archer" was q name
that seemed familiar, yet Nelly was
iqulro sure she had no recollection OF
the tall, aristocratic-lookinY man
whom Susan presently ushered In.
"You win hardly remember me-"
he explained TO Mrs. Manners, mfor
was but lad when stayed In
Bloxham with my cousin Jack, bat I
have very vivid recellectIons OF
Minnie and Nelly Manners. Ny
cousin did not expect me till to-
morrow morning, 50, hearing that
he was here, / ventured TO fellow
him, hoping that, for his sake at any
rate, / should not be considered an
Intruder"
Mrs. Manners hastened 20 assure
her visitor that she was alwaws
pleased TO see any or Jacks friends,
and that his cousin must be sure OF
q welcome from her.
So this Is NeIly-liitle Nelly no
longer j perceive" he remarked,
with glance OF decided approval at
the fair face. 'tWhen 7 saw her last
she was little creature Of clghf, IN
pinsfores and cnrls, and her sister =
shy schoolgirl whom ! am afraid
Jack and delighted to tease"
Nelly laughed heartily NJ this de-
scriptlon Of calm, seif.posSed Marian.
Very soon she aud Edward Archer
were chatting away gayly, and by
the time Jack and Marian returned,
Nelly had quite forgotten her vexa-
ton In the pleasureabIe novelty Of
having this handsome, sprightly
stranger 10 entertain.
The brunt of the millinery fell on
Marian's willing shoulders, and never
had Nelly looked fairer than on the
morning Of the picnic, when her airy
summer gown OF washing material
was fifty completed and enhanced by
her sisters def handIwork.
So thought Jack so thought Ell
ward. Nelly was In q whirl Of pleas
urable excitement the lIvelong day,
for her eyes were opened TO the fact
that she was q center Of attraction, In
way they had never been until
now.
A dangerous knowledge, especially
10 q bright, thoughtless girl Of Neliy's
teRder years Marian was conscious
OF a strange, undeflnable feeling Of
distress as she noticed with what
evident pleasure Nelly received the
open admiration accorded her, and
how delighted she was TO display the
homage ofhandseme stranger, Jacks
cousin. And Marian's quiet, obser.
want eyes noted something else.
She saw Jacks troubled gaze follow
ifig NelIy's every movement, watch
Ing her eager, flushed face with an
expression she had never seen there |
before and her quick, womanly in-
stinct told her that to-day had re-
veaIed to Jack that for the future he
would never be content with q sister,
ly regard from his favorite playmate
and companion. a
Nelly was Indulging herself In a
host OF immensely pleasant reAsc-
tions the next morning when she re-
ceived brief note from Jack which
did not at all chime in with them.
"Look here Minnie" she cried,
with a scared expression, running
Into the kitchen, where her sister,
In o large apron, was concocting
tempting salad. "What can the
foolish fellow mean ? Whatever
shall ] do How can he be 50 stu
pld 70 y. ,,s.s ~
'Are you sure you would like me
10 read Il, DEAR" Marian asked.
"Read II, Minnie, pray, aad tell
me what / can do o, how foolish
Of him I ! never should have thought
1t Of Jack 70 ...4. s.et.. t...
rWhy, Nelly ?" Marian asked,
quitsly gIanciag down the letter.
why, he'snobody at all-at least,
like that It's too absurd. Papa
might as we'll ask me toto marry
him It's utterly ridiculous"
Marian sighed for Jacks sake.
She saw 1t was hopeless case.
"Write kindly, Nelly, dear" she
said, gently, at am afraid 1t will be
Q great disappointment to him. lie
seems so sure of your affection"
nStupld fellow 70 Nelly cried. an
gritty. ssI was fend OF him-just as
fond as a girl could be OF her brother !;
and now It's all spoilt. ] declare It's
quite exasperating % A '...@ s.
"Think OF him." Marian suggest
ed, quietly. " - e, Pa - -
Nelly ran away to write her reply.
Marian suggested several additions
and excisions when she saw it, and
succeeded In achieving q tolerably
gentle expression Of Nelly's decided
refusal. The young lady, however,
was Of opinion that the letter was by
no means crushing enough, so before
she enclosed 1t In It's cover she added
| a postscript :: '.'sa 49, 's'-isk f.ts
| sThis Is my unalterable decision.
| shall never change my mind.
Whatever could have put such an
idea into your head ?" e g
| Poor Jack came no more to the
Manners pleasant house. Marian
wondered very much how he was