The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-05-05
NELL'S PROMISE.

NELL'S PROMISE.
She was flying down the path, hel
long straight black hair streaming be
hind 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 there
flashed such look of love that strang.
er would have known that her girlish
sister was very dear to the heart of
Alice Haviland.
The two were orphans, supported by
the industry of Alice, the oldest, who
was well known in the town as a very
sklllful teacher of music. The younger
was of entirely a different nature from
the quiet, steady, lovable Alice. The
townsfolk said that her baptismal name
of Eleanor was altogether too grand and
stately for such hoydenish creature,
and 80 it had become shortened to the
monosyllable 'Nell."
"Aice, said Nell, "you cannot guess
what 1 have done ?"
Something impossible for any one
else to do, L presume" said her sister,
smiling into the eager eyes.
az climbed into the old oak and tied
my handkerchief to the top" said the
girl, pointing triumphantly to the fut-
tering white Haorsel-
IBID you ?" said Alice, absent-mind-
edly.
"Oh, dear p said Nell, pettishly,
lyon don't hear a word / saw. / guess
you are thinking of Goddard Tressil.
wish you were not engaged to him,
Alice, for you don't seem to care a bit
for me now q days"
"Nelie," tho love in the tones re-
buked the girl, I" shall ever love and
care for you, darling sister, ccme what
may" and, putting her arm caressingly
around Nel's waist, the sisters went
into the house.
The humble supper was over. Alice
was sitting at the little piano, weaving a
sweet harmony from the ivory KEYS,
when she heard step on the walk which
summoned 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 1.-THE
Cliffs, the great mansion, around which
lay its extensive farms-"the best place
In the country"
1t Is too fine a night to remain in
doors, Alice. What do you say to a
moonlight row?"
1T would give me much pleasure"
she said and, running upstairs for a
shawl, she paused "A moment and opened |
the door to Nell's chamber. The sound
OF her low, regular breathing satisfied
her, and she went down stairs to reioin
her lover. They walked slowly down
the path, drinking in the intense lowell !
ness of the night.
The moon was at its full. Great gold
en- stars seemed melting into blue ether. |
and white weird drifts, like phantom
fleets, foated 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 7
little skif rocked lightly on the slow,
faint swelis of the outgoing tide, and the |
oars splashed with a musical rhythm |
very pleasant to hear. A silence fell |
over the two. It was broken by the
voice of Tressil
Alice, 1 have something important
to say to you tonight"
What is it about ?" she questioned
wonderingly.
"About-Nell. The words were said
hesitatingly, as if he was nerving him.
self for an effort.
about Nell?" she repeated, in sur
prise.
"Yes; where is she going to live after
we are married ?"
"Going to live? Why, with me, of
course" said Alice, wondering what |
would come next.
cit cannot be. Alice. She must be
sent to a boarding-school or some
where"
"Why. Goddard, what put that into
your mind ?" exclaimed Alice. "She |
would not stay at boarding-school for 1
one moment 1t would kill her to sep
arate 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 intrusted to
my care"
But, Alice, mother and Isabel said
-
Goddard, please tell me precisely
what your mother and sister have said,
80 that I may know just how the matter
stands
"well, they say that they can well
come you, very gladly, as q daughter
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
sort of helpless way that struck chill
to the girls heart.
$50 it is question of decision on
my part between you and my sister
Nell
"Yss, Alice"
Alice fought desperate battle between
love and duty.