Morris tribune., 1881-06-16
THE TWO ORPHANS.
\ Story of Il Promise.

4 Story of Promise.
She came flying down the path, her long,
straight black hair streaming behind her,
her great eyes sparkling. the dark, thin, IL
regular features fairly alive with vivacity.
She locked to the very lie like the wild
little creature Of fifteen that she was; but
into the face of the beautiful, fair haire2
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 well
known in town as a very skillful teacher of
music. The younger was of an entirely
different nature from the quiet, steady,
ioveable Alice. The townsfolk said that
her baptismal name of Eleanor was alto
gether too grand and stately for such a
shortened to the monosyllable "Nell."
Alice" said Nell. you cannot guess
what l have done?"
Something impossible for anyone else
to do. 1 presume" said the sister, smiling
into the eager eyes.
Il climbed into the old oak and tied my
handkerchief to the top" said the girl,
pointing triumphantly to the futtering
white morsel.
Did you?" asked Alice, absent mind
eddy.
"Oh, dearr said Nell, pettishly, you
don't hear word say. You are thinking
of Goddard Tressil. 1 wish you were not
engaged to him, Alice, for you don't seem
to care bit for me now a. days.
Nellie" the love in the tones rebuked
the girl, Il shall always love and care for
you, darling sister, come what may" and
putting her arm caressingly around Nells
waist, the sisters went into the house.
The humble supper was over. Alice
was sitting at the little piano, weaving
sweet harmony from the ivory keys, when
she heard a step on the walk which sum-
mened her to the door.
"Alice!" and her hand lay in the hand of
her betrothed, Goddard Tressil.
The tall, handsome young fellow that
stood before her was the heir of the "Cliffs, p"
the great mansion, around which lay its
extensive farms-"the best place in the
country"
1T is too fine night to remain in
doors, Alice. What do you say to moon
light row?"
1t would give mo much pleasure" she
i,
paused a moment, and opened the door of
Nells chamber. The sound of her low
regular breathing satisfied her, and she ran
down stairs to reioin her lover. They
walked slowly down the path, drinking in
the intense loneliness of the night.
The moon was at it's full. Great golden
stars seemed melting into blue ether, and
white weird drifts, like phantom fleets,
f1oated across the sky.
The calm ocean ended their walk. Each
of its 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, out
going tide, and the oars splashed with a
musical rythm very pleasant to hear. A ST.
lence fell over the two. 1t was broken by
the voice of Tressil.
Alice, have something important te
say to you to- night
what is it about?" She questioned
wonderingly.
"AboutHNell." The words were sale
hesitatingly, as if he was nerving himself
for an effort.
about Nell?' she repeated in surprise
eyes; where is she going to live after W.
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 SEN
to boarding school or somewhere"
why, Goddard, what put that into YOU
mind?" exclaimed Alice. "She would no
stay at Il boarding school one moment.
would kill her to separate us, for I am al
| oh hoc i, {ha
mother, when she was dying, that would
never leave or forsake the CHILDISH en-.
trusted to my care"
But, Alice, mother and Isabel said
Goddard, please tell me precisely wha
your mother and sister have said, so that
may know just how the matter stands"
" Well, they say that they tan welcome
you, very gladly, as daughter and sister
but they cannot endure the idea of having
Nell under the same roof, and she mus
abide somewhere else."
"And you Goddard" said Alice, i'm.
ploringly.
What can do, Alice?" said he in {
sort of helpless way that struck chill tt
the girls heart.
$50 it is a question of decision on m,
part between You and my sister Nell?"
ssYes, Alice"
Alice fought desperate battle between
owe and duty.
Goddard, I have chosen. I canno
leave my sister,"
He tried to break this decision by pas
sionate pleading, but the tones were firm
and mistaken, as she said, at last
Goddard, it would be unjust to say tina
[ do not love you, for you know that do
but cannot be false to my charge"
And they parted-he to walk home as i
pursued by furies, thinking bitterly O.
"woman's obstinacy," and yet in his secre
heart honorlng the girl who walked SO un
finehingly in the path of duty.
Alice went upstairs, and burying he
face in the soft cushions of an arm chair
nature took her revenge for the SELF contro
of the last hour. Her eyes throbbed ant
burned like balls of fire; her heart beat il
high, surging waves, but the hand was ic,
cold that she placed over her mouth TO
fear that cry might escape her lips tina
would awaken Nell. But despite all he
preeaution there came a sound of bare fee
on the floor, and little white-robed form
knelt down beside her, and the dark fac,
with its weird eyes peeped into hers.
What's the matter, Alice?'
why, Nell, thought you were asleep
Come, dear, 60 back to bed; you will cato
cold up here"
] Il don't want to 60. What is the trouble
Alice?" persisted the girl.
And Alice told her all. Nell kissed he
sister passionately, then, clenchipg her lit
| Tie brown fists, she said, fiercely--
Y bate tbose proud women! ! hate God