The Republican journal., 1881-04-28
Nelly's Mistake.

90, DO so want my tea" cried Nelly
Manners, throwing herself into the depths
OF large armchair, shopping is 50
eXhaustng on hot afternoon like this. y
$50 are some other things thought
her sister Marian, calling to mind with a
little justifiable Indignation the pile of
cuffs and collars and laces now airing be-
fore the kitchen fire, and how often the
initials n. +. NJ. had started up under her
IRON that hot afternoon. She often Won-
dered whether Nelly ever gave a thought
to the how and when of the getting I'D OF
the delicate nick-nacks of lace that so
charmingly became her But it was only
a passing veNation, banished the next
moment.
"Now, | declare, here's Jack coming
up the path cried Nelly, with comcal
annoyance, as she poised a cup of tea on
one hand, under her nose, and content
edly inhaled the grateful perfume; ''and
/ III venture any thing he wants us to 90
for a row, and then what'll become of the
hat wanted to trim this evening for to-
morrow? Well, | can't 90, that's certain.
What nuisance he is,'
Heres lovely evening for row -
exclaimed the voice OF the new conner,
even before his bodily form appeared.
"Be quick, girls, and let us get off. 1t Will
be lovely on the river"
Now Marian was as ardent lover of
the river as Jack himself, and it seemed
to her, after her long afternoons warm
work, that the sweet, fresh breezcs were
the very thing she needed Nelly. how
ever, was quite decided.
Il II,
"besldes, | want to trim a hat. We really
can't go
II hate muddling about by myself"
said Jack, disconsolately and | felt SO
sure you'd he delighted to come this eve
ming"
1t Will do You good, Marian" said her
mother. There is no reason why YOU
should stay because Nelly does not care
to go
II will come withyou if you like, Jack, "
Marian said, obviously. She was sorry
that Jack should lose the evenings recre-
alton to which he had doubtless been
looking forward all day.
"Ihank you, Marian, > he replied grasp
ing the idea that it was possible to 90
with one companion-which, until Mrs
Manners suggestion, they had all lost
sight Of. 1t was sOnatural to make bright
plcasure-lo loving Nelly the centre OF every
thing
Eve will get back early" Marian said
to Nelly, noticing an anxious shade Oh her
sisters face, which She quickly interpret
ed ''and | shall have time then to help
you on your hat"
~ on see, Jack, you would be as yeNed
us any one if | were to look Il shabby
fright at the picnic tomorrow
wouldn't you y Nelly asked coaXingly,
when Marian was up stairs. "You see
am really pleasing you most by staying at
home tonight
Jack looked up repentantly. 1t graft
tied him to think that Nelly cared for his
opinion, although he knew full we'll that
she could not wear any thing that would
render ner less bewitchingly fair in his
eyes. He had known and been as Il
brother to these two girls ever since he
had been little fellow in pettcoats, and
Nelly an infant in her mothers arms.
Lately he had watched, with feeling al
most of awe, how the child he had PLAYED
with so many years was developing Il
beauty OF form and feature that seemed
to him to have no equal. Marion was a
dear girl, always ready for anything he
Wlshed-a perfect treasure of sister, but
Nelly, with her bright, sparkling beauty
and vlvaclOuS manner, was a companion
to be proud of indeed
"NoW, if that isn't eXasperatng :" Nelly
exclaimed, irately, when, about twenty
minutes after Jack and Marion had start
ed, there came an OminOuSlv visitor like
knock at the door.
1t was indeed a visitor, and a stranger,
SO Nelly must pertorce put down her
Work and be entertaining. "Alr. Edward
Archer was a name that seemed tamI-
lar, yet Nelly was quite sure she had no
recollection of the tall, aristocratic- look
ING man whom Susan presently ushcrcd
in.
You will hardly remember me, he en-
planned to Mrs Manners, ''for was but
a lad when stayed in BloXham with my
Cousin Jack, but have very vivid re-
collections Of Minnie and Nellie Manners.
My cousin did not expect me till to-mor-
row morning, so, hearing that he WAS
here, | ventured to follow him. hoping
that, for his sake at any rate, should
not be considered an intruder"
Mrs. Manners fastened to assure her
visitor that she was always pleased to see
any of Jacks friends, and that his cousin
must be sure of a welcome from her.
$50 this is Nelly-little Nelly no long
er, | perceive" he remarked, with a
glance OF decided approval at the fair
face. "When saw her last she was a
little creature of eight, in pnatores and
curls, and her sister shy school girl
whom | am afraid Jack and | delighted
to tease"
Nelly laughed heartily at this descrip-
ton Of calm, sclf-possessed Marian. Very
soon she and Edward Archer were chat
ing away gaily, and by the time Jack and
Marian returned, Nelly had quite forgot
ten her vexation in the pleasureable nov
city OF having this handsome, sprightlv
stranger to entertain.
The brunt of the millinery fell on Mar
ian's willing shoulders. and never had
Nelly looked fairer than Oh the morning
OF the picnic, when her airy summer
gown OF some washing material was tity
completed and enhanced by her sisters
dett handwork.
So thought Jack; so thought Edward
Nelly was in a whirl Of pleasurable eX-
citement the lvelong day, for her eyes
were opened to the fact that she was a
centre of attraction, in way they had
never been until now.
A dangerous knowledge, especially to
bright, thoughtless girl of Neily's ten
der years. Marian was conscious of a
strange, undetinable feeling Of distress as
she noticed with what evident pleasure
Nelly received the open admiration ac-
corded her, and how delighted she was to
display the homage of the handsome
stranger, Jacks cousin. And Marian's
quiet, observant eyes noted something
else. She saw Jacks troubled gaze fol-
lowing Nelly's every movement, watch
ing her eager, flushed face with an cX-
preston she had never seen there before
and her quick womanly instinct told her
that to-day had revealed to Jack that for
the fnture he would nauar he contcnt