West-Jersey pioneer., 1881-03-03
NELL'S PROMISE.


straight, black hair, streaming behind her,
her great eyes sparkling, the dark, thin,
irregular features fairly alive with vivacity.
She looked to the very life, like the wild,
little creature of 15 that she was; but into
the face of the beautiful, fair-haired girl
whom Nell Haviland was coming to meet,
flashed such look of love that stranger
would have known that her girlish sister
was very dear to the heart of Alice Hav-
iland.
The two were orphans, supported by the
industry of Alice, the oldest, who was well
known in the town as very skillful teacher
of music. The younger was of entirely a
different nature from the quiet, lovable
Alice. The townsfolk said that her baptis
NAL name of Eleanor was altogether too
grand and stately for such hoydenish crea-
ture. and so it had become shortened to the
monosyllable "Nell."
"Alice," said Nell, 'tyou cannot guess
what have done?'
''Something impossible for any one else to
do, presume," said her sister, smiling into
the eager eyes.
81 climbed into the old oak and tied my
handkerchief to the top" said the girl,
pointing trinmphantly to the flnttering white
morael.
"Did you ?" said Alice, absent mindedly.
"Oh, dearv' said Nell, pettishly, "you
don't hear word l say. l guess you are
thinking of Goddard Tressil. l wish you
were not engaged to him, Alice, for you
don't seem to care bit for me nowadays" !"
'Nellie," the love in the tones rebuked
the girl, 81 shall ever love and care for you
darling sister, come what may" And put
ting her arms caressingly around Nelps
waist, the sisters went into the house.
The humble supper was over. Alice was
sitting at the piano, weaving sweet har-
mony from the ivory keys, when she heard
step on the walk, which summoned her to
the door.
"Alicep' and her hand lay in the hand Of
her betrothed, Goddard Tressl.
The tall, handsome young fellow that
stood before her was the heir of s'The Cliffs, -
the great mansion, around which lay its
extensive farms--'sthe best place in the
country"
SIT is too fine night to remain in doors
Alice. What do you say to moonlight
row."
SIT would give me much pleasure" she
said. and running up stairs for shawl, she
paused moment and opened the door to
Nelps chamber. The sound of her low,
regular breathing satisfied her, and she went
down stairs to rejoin her lover. They walked
slowly down the path, drinking in the in
tense loveliness of the night.
The moon was at it's full. Great golden
stars seemed melting into blue ether, and
white wierd drifts, like phantom fleets
f1oated across the sky.
The calm ocean ended their walk. Each
of it's waves seemed tipped with diamond
crest, and the refexes trembled in pearl and
azure.
Assisting Alice into the boat, Tressil
pushed out SO as to clear the shore. The
little skiff rocked lightly on the slow, faint
swells of the out-g going tide, and the oars
splashed with musical rhythm very pleas
ant to hear. A silence fell over the two.
1t was broken by the voice of Tressil.
"Alice, l have something important to
say to you tonight
"What is it about ?" she questioned, won
deringly.
i "About-Nell.' The words were said
hesitatingly, as if he was nerving himself
for an effort.
| "About Nella'' she repeated in surprise
eyes; where is she going to live after we
are married 20