The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1881-06-16
THE TWO ORPHANS.


THE TWO ORPHANS.
A Story of n Promise.
She came flying down the path, her long,
straight black hair streaming behind her,
her great eyes sparkling, the dark, thin, ir-
regular features fairly alive with vivacity.
She looked to the very lite like tho wild
little creature Of fifteen that she was: but
into the face of the beautiful, fair-haire:
girl whom Nell Haviland was coming to
meet there flashed such look of love that
a stranger would have known that the girlish
sister was very near to the heart of Alice
Haviland.
The two were orphans. supported by the
industry of Alice, the oldest, who was we'll
known in town as very skillful teacher of
music. The younger was Of an entirely
different nature from the quiet, steady,
loveable Alice. The townsfolk said that
her baptismal name of Eleanor was alto
gether too grand and stately for such
hoydenish creature, and SO it had become
shortened to the monosyllable Nell"
Alice" said Nell, "you cannot guess
what have done?"
Something impossible for anyone else
to do. I presume" said the sister, smiling
into the eager eyes.
II climbed into the old oak and tied nv
handkerchief to the top" said the girl,
pointing triumphantly to the auttering
white -morsel.
Did your" asked Alice, absent mind
eddy.
oh, dear" said Nell, pettishly, you
don't hear q word soy. You are thinking
of Goddard Tressil. wish you were not
engaged to him, Alice, for you dent seem
to care bit for me now "a days."
"Nellie," the love in the tones rebuked
the girl, II shall always love and care for
you, darling sister, come what may and
putting her arm caressingly around Nelrs
| waist, the sisters went into the house.
The humble supper was over. Alice
was sitting at the little piano, weaving q
sweet harmony from the ivory keys, when
| she heard step on tho walk which sum-
mened her to the door.
"Alice!" and her band lay in the hand of
her betrothed, Goddard Tressil.
The tall, handsome young fellow that
| stood before her was the heir of the Cliffs, -
the great mansion. around which Law it's
extensive farms-"the best place in the
country"
1T is too fine a night to remain in
doors. Alice. What do you say to moon
light row."
1T would give mo much pleasure" she
said; and running upstairs for shawl, she
paused moment, and opened the door OF
Nelps chamber. The sound of her low
regular breathing satisfied her, and she ran
down stairs to rejoin her lover. They
walked slowly down the path, drinking in
the intense loneliness Of the NIGHT.
The moon was at its full. Great Golden
stars seemed melting into blue ether, and
white weird drifts, like phantom fleets
doated across the sky.
The calm ocean ended their walk. Each
OF its waves seemed tipped with diamond
crest, and the refexes trembled in pear
and azure.
Assisting Alice into tho boat. Tressi]
pushed ont SO as te clear the shore. The
little skiH rocked lightly on the slow, ont
going tide, and the oars splashed with 9
musical 1ythm very pleasant to hear. A 81.
lenco fell over the two. 1t was broken b,
the voice of Tressil.
Alice: l have something important te
What is it about?" She questioned
wonderingly.
"AboutNNell." The words were sale
hes'tatingly, as if he was nerving himself
| AOE III eHOTt.
"About Nell?' she repeated in surprise
Yes; where is she going to live after We
are married."
"Going to live? Why, with me, of course, ,
said Alice, won !ering what would come
next.
1T cannot be, Alice. She must be sent
70 boarding school or somewhere"
| why, Goddard, what put that into yon1
l m1nnf' lV0JO1~01 -
stay at u boarding school one moment. II
would kill her to separate us, for am all
she has in the world, and l promised
mother, when she was dying, that would
never leave or forsake the child sister en-.
trusted to my care"
| but, Alice, mother and Isabel said
Goddard, please tell me precisely what
your mother ard sister have said, so that ]
may know just how the matter stands"
| Well, they say that they can welcome
you. very gladly, as daug hter and sister,
but they cannot endure the idea of HAVING
| Nell under the same roof, and she must
abide somewhere else."
| "And you--Goddard?" said Alice, i'm
ploringly.
What can do, Alice?" said he in q
| sort OF helpless way that struck a chill to
the girls heart.
$50 it is question of decision on nv
part between you and my sister Nell?"
eyes, Alice"
| Alice fought desperate battle between
owe and duty
Goddard, I have chosen. + cannot
leave my sister,"
He tried to break this decision by pas
slonate pleading, but the tones were firm
| and mistaken, as she said, at last
Goddard, it would be unjust to say that
| ! do not love you, for you know that I do.
but l cannot be false to my CHARGE"
And they parted-he to walk home AZ if
pursued by furies, thinking bitterly Of
woman's obstinacy," and yet in his secret
heart honoring the girl who walked 30 nm.
dlnchingly in the path of duty.
Alice went upstairs. and burying LEI
face IN the soft cushions Of an arm chair.
nature took her revenge for the sell. control
OF the last hour. Her eyes throbbed and
burned like balls of ire; her heart beat i'm
high, surging waves, but the hand was lev
cold that she placed over her mouth for
fear that cry might escape her lips that
would awaken Nell. But despite all her
precautlon there came q sound of bare feet
on the floor, and little white-robed form
knelt down beside her, and the dark fa-e
with it's weird eyes peeped into hers.
What's the matter, Alice?"
Why, Nell, thought you were asleep.
Come, dear, go back to bed; You will catch
cold up here"
" don't wantto 60. What is the trouble.
AiGe?" persisted the Girl.
And Alice told her all. Nell kissed he,
siste2 passionately, then, clenohinp her he.
tie brqYp fists. she said. fiercalv~s