Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-04-20
NEllYSL0VER.

The rain fell in torrents, and the
leafless boughs of decrepit chestnut
beat with loud thuds against Mrs Ma
sons parlOr window. The new lace
curtains were shaken by frequent gusts
that whistled through the easement,
and positively grew yellow in the
murky light of December afternoon,
In the year 1856; on the whole the
precise year shall be nameless, and il
must sufice that it was toward the
close OF the late war. Within the par
dor where the new curtains were hang
ing limp and forlorn, sat Mrs. Grace
Mason herself, nesting up to a CHEEKY
fire much too big for the tiny crate;
everything there but the fire was on a
small scale, even the lady who reigned
alone among the dainty chairs and ia
'bles and the pretty gilt jardiniere. 1t
was dreary day-a day when people
hurried through the streets, and those
who were not obliged to leave the
house sat close about the fire. But,
in spite Of surrounding comfort, Mrs.
Mason was in a bad humor; her
nerves, she said, had been quite upset
that morning, aud Charlie had only
laughed at her, as he shook himself in
to his waterproof coat, when she told
him about Nelly's lover.
cit is really more than can stand :"
thought the little woman, as she rocked
to and fro, her dainty bronze slipper
pointed at the blazing Goals. "The
trouble that girl will give mel And
Charlie laughs and says she'll outgrow
1t, as If love was to be outgrown like a
child's shoel If it isn't this man, it will
be another; don't L knowP And the
longer she lives the better she will like
1T. Besides. to have a great beastly
man numbering up my kitchen every
night in the week is not to be enduredI
Nelly is too pretty, and such nice
cook, to be-" married, Mrs. Mason
was about to add, when tap at the
door interrupted her matronly and
worldly reflections. "Come inl' cried
Mrs. Grace.
A shapely brown head was thrust
through the halfope door, then il
opened wider, and complete and
well-rounded figure slipped into the
room.
"What is 1t, Nellyp" Mrs. Masor
said, without turning her head.
eft you please" in a tremblins
voice, said the young girl-"If vol
please, I've no celery for salad. Shall
L go out and get somep'
What! go out in this storm for sal
Rdp No. indeedl Well do without to
day. Nelly"
But, indeed, 1 don't mind, Mrs
Mason, and-and-"
"Nonsensel Mr.. Mason can hav
something else"
IL Mrs. Mason had been a wise VIC
man she would have turned round l.
look at the girl whose voice trembIe,
because there was no celery for dinner
but she was not wise woman, only
very pretty one, whom one year of mar
ried life and six weeks OF housekeepin
had not sufficiently educated to obsery
tones and expression. She was vet to
tnexper enced to notice to ache hal
concealed, or the half emo hered sol
She merely knew that for nearly al
weeks they had had "a treasure of
girl, and that the possession SCENE
too bright to last. for Nelly already b,
gan to show the cloven foot in hayin
follower" a thing mamma never a
lowed. But so occupied was she wit
this idea. and the best method of rio
ding Nelly and herself Of the lover il
cu0us. she scarcely needed the girl
earnestness, and 50 at once waved tn
necessity Of salad. Counting her en-
broidery stitches. she dismissed Nell
with the remsrk that she hoped al
would be very punctual that day.
Nelly looked with great rsoist brow
eyes at the back OF Mrs. Mason's ool,
en- chignon, the color flushing and dl in
IN her cheeks, and then, with a 10
THANK you" she shut the door an
went down stairs.
Dear mel Mrs. Mason, punctaality
all very well. but 1t is small matt,
compared with breaking hearth b,
YOu didn't think anyone's heart W,
aching. or that your treasure of A coo
was wringing her bands and sobbir
at to kill herself down stairs that col
wet afternoon.
-Oh. 1 can't stay here-I must 90
cried the girl. as she wandered aimies
~ about the kitchen. eff could on
carry 1t to him, poor fellowl it may