The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1882-07-21
NELLIEs BANNER SCREEN.

"Nellie, Cousin Nellie, / say! Have
you not done that banner screen YETI"
cried Maud Lester.
And Cousin Nellie. don't forget my
letter in the package" said Vera.
Nor mine, Nellie darlingr' piped
Dora, the youngest of Doctor Lester's
four pretty daughters. There they are
all three letters; and there are two notes
foryou. by-the-by. One is from Broth
er Robert, think. cannot imagine
why he should write TO you, though.
The other is a circular, or something of
that kind. They will keep till you fin
ish that. won't they, dear? do so long
to see it completed. GOod-byer'
Dora danced away after fer two sis
tiers.
Nellie Garstqp.. her .orphap.sousin..
pausch a mops th Her. ySrn ~ pas
iipx6kgsof tho ett es,s 6s nd
hsetsSscribeas t.. hS<s 4oth ot iL06efks -,
ssFntrouble sgain. I daresay, for The
time, and wishes me 30 break
ITO Uncle Martini" she thought. II
wonder what uncle would say If the
girls should attempt to 60 on as Robert
does for a single day?"
Before she had time to look at the SUI
prescription of the letter, a deferential
servant stood before her.
.If you please, Miss Nellie, the house.
keeper says would you just step down
To her room, and see if the wedding
cake looks right? She wanted the other
young ladies to come, too; but she new
or sent me upstairs until they were
gone. And she says she shall 60 clean
out of her mind if you don't come at
once"
Il will be there directly, Louisa"
said Nellie, putting down her letter on
the edge of her tiny embroidery frame.
Very fair, and sweet, and girlish she
looked, as she ran down to Mrs. Jen-
kin's sanctum, with that pleasant smile
upon her face. But hers was n happy
and sunshiny heart. She had been
adopted, II pcnniless, lonely orphan, by
her uncle; and she considered no sacri-
flee too geat to make to insure his COM
fort. or the welfare of any member Of
his family.
but for uncle, l might have been
starving and homeless to-day" she told
herself now. as she glided through the
flower-decked house. Il ought to do
everything the girls wish: and if l
thought Dora was really in earnest
when she raves so about Mr.. Vernon
But she is not, of course. / need not
make myself unhappy by drawing back
from his offers of friendship until her
heart is far more engaged than it is
now. wonder if he will come this eve
ming? And what could it have been that
he would only tell me here ut home?'
1t was the eve of her eldest cousins
wedding. Ethel, a joyous, handsome
brunette, was the first Of all the sister
hood to be wooed and won. AS she
married wealthy merchant. some thirty
wears her senior. whose whole future
life would be spent in ministeringtO her
highest fancies, her friends naturally
overwhelmed her with presents of the
most expensive kind. Nellie of course
could not afford anything that would
cost money, but for several weeks past
every moment of her spare time had
been employed in the elaboration of d
most tastefully designed banner screen,
and when she had duly admired the
wcdding-cake. that Mrs. Jenkins would
allow no one but herself to touch, hur.
ried back to finish the embroidery, and
then put the delicate work away.
1t was nearly dusk when she took i
from its frame. She placed the farewell
letters of the sisters in its centre, anG
summoned q servant to see 1t properly
packed and delivered to the brides Ia
dy's-maid.
Then she went YEARLY upstairs Il
dress for dinner, reserving Roberts let
ter for the morrow.
..Happy will be the girl whom HI
does choose! Not because he is so rich
but because he is so good" she said te
herself, as she entered the great draw
ing-room with the bridal party. at thu
appointed hour, and saw, rs she half
expected, that Mr.. Vernon's eyes wer'
earnestly fixed upon her.
But even rs she glanced shyly bacl
from beneath her golden lashes at him
his face darkened suddenly, and grew
proud and stern.
He turned away with an abrup
movement, and began to talk to fash
ionably attired young lady, with who's
H;tllc, loT tpc iaSt Val, SoSiOoy A"N va
ten linked his own.
Through the Outpouring OF congratu
lations which followed the ceremony
he bore his part gaily and composedly
Only when he found himself beside Mel
| lie, he would stiilen into IN icy cold
ness. that repealed and defied the leas
attempt at enquiry or explanation o.
her part.
In such case, what can woma
do? She can only hold her peace, an
suffer, patiently or impatiently. accord
ing to her nature.
Nellie was patient, but very, very sad
She saw George Vernon depart withou
even attempting to speak to her. He
heart bled inwardly, but she made n
sign.
Neither then, nor ut any time durin
the long, weary, miserable year that TO
lowed after Ethcrs wedding, did he c'
plain his conduct which, it seemed t
her, was not only strange, but also insult
ing in the extreme.
The time dragged on for Nellie, br
for her three cousins it moved at happy
golden speed. One wedding, 1t Is sale