The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-02-25

.X= y F~O~ ANSaA oAORPCA 0VWh iu
sneef exhaustion to rest,
~ MIR. Wilton and his companion
uFw near, talking gayly. he for the
nfss lime became aware of the pres
ence Of his pretty sister.in-law.
Why, NeIlie," he exclaimed In
genuine surprise. show did you get
up hereW and he looked about for
Mqder or some means of ascent.
\ was taking a walk" the young
lacy faltered but Harry's quick eye
caught sight of the COW at the further
enuofthe wall, and knowing Nellie's
weakness. burst into an uncontrol-
ableft of laughter.
Miles chagrin and the strangers
1 growing Embarrassment checked his
| ,5a aeely mirth. and he hastened to
introduce his companion to his sister,
in-law.
"Thisis my old and valued college
friend, DIR. Raymond, Nellie" Then
turning to the other he added: "Let
me PRESENT you to my sister, Miss
Ashtol, Arthur, and at the same
time assure you she would be the
dearestgirl in the world if she wasn't
SO chiclen-hearted."
DIR. Rymond-a handsome gentle.
man of s'ven-and twenty. graver and
more polished in manner than his
friend-btwed with marked respect
to our popr heroine, who was ner-
vously trying to conceal her boots.
Their mual diffidence might have
increased into embarrassment, but
Harry's high spirits came to the res
cue.
Pray assist Miss Ashton to alight
while l Wnquish her enemy" he
cried, "and then we'll go home across
the fields tgether to where my wife
is anxiousE awaiting our arrival"
Under petence of protecting them
from furthG danger he seized brok.
en- branch Allen by the wayside and
went in advance flourishing it and
leaving the neWly-made acquaintan-
ces to f0llov. Never before had Mel
lie found conversation such difficult
art. She Sught in vain for some
thing appropriate to say, hut the
truth was ler sensitive mind shrank
from recalling the at surd position
she had occupied. She glanced Sc
cretly at her handsome cavalier,
WHOM Harry had always described as
the embodiment ofall that was noble,
true and manly, and felt he must re-
gard with contempt silly. nervous
creature such as she, without courage
or selfcommand enough to conceal
her idle fears.
Beyond monosyllables she could
not control her speech, but he talked
freely.
Harry stole a march on me by
getting married while l was in Eu-
rope" he said 81 went there with
my little sister. as well as to perfect
my own medical studies. She was a
delicate child then, but is now
blooming young lady, and my journ
ey East is to meet and take her to
my Western home, her education
being finished at last"
Finding Nellie still silent. beyond
murmered assent, he went on to
say that he and this young sister,
Clara, were orphans, and that her
delicate childhood had been his ten
derest care. "Indeed, think chose
my profession of medicine to fit me
to watch over her more ably: but
now thank Heaven, she is as robust
as could wish, and needs no doctors
skill.
AS he said this he reached the cot
tage door, where Kate Wilton stood
ready to meet and welcome them,
having been apprised by telegram Of
her guests arrival.
That evening would have been one
ofuDalloyed delight to Nellie Ashton
but for preconceived and ineradi-
cable idea. She was convinced that
her first appearance in DIR. Ray
mond's eyes had stamped her as a
weak, c0ntemptable character; and
as every moment spent in his society
increased her admiration and regard
for him, this conviction grew into
absolute pain.
Mr.. Wilton truely valued his love-
ly young sister in-law, and to see her
united to the friend Of his soul had
long been the dominant wish of his
heart.
This propitious meeting, for such
it seemed to him. was the very thing
to bring about his darling project,
and while in his high good humor he
continued to tease Nellie on her
escape of the day before, he never
dreamed of the exquisite pain he in
filcted on the sensitive beauty.
His wife. with wOman's tact. hur.