Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1883-02-24

says Laura, simply. L am sure l am
ashamed of myself! If Star could
know Nina, oh, Nina, there he isr
rushing suddenly to the long open
window-"but tell you it is he! They
must have told him was here, and he
is coming. Oh, oh, oh! what shall ]
do? Oh, Nina, am so glad!"
Nina, following her impetuous friend
sees, not Starwood Burley, but Doctor
Leslie advancing up the graveled path
in travelling coat and with small va
lise in his hand.
AS he reaches the veranda, which is
literally vine-covered, Miss Dalton
springs through the window and rushes
to him with outspread arms. At tsight
of this beautiful apparition an unmis-
taxable delight flashes over his fine,
dark face.
Laura !" he exclaims, and drops
his baggage to fold her promptly to his
bosom; then he hastily releases her,
and his joy gives place to consterna-
tion.
He actually staggers back as his be-
trothed advances, with her hand held
out in greeting.
"Nina P'-he says no other word as
she lifts her little quiet face to kiss
him in friendly fashion.
Miss D2.:on stands amazed.
"You xiiuw Nina, too? 1 thought
Mrs. Cretsn had sent you here?
thought you were coming to find me-"
she falters. "Oh, Gilbert !-oh, Nina.
Oh, Nina, are you the girl?"
Miss Dalton is deadly pale, and Doc
tor Leslie groans and hides his white
face in his hands.
Nina is trembling little, and tears
are on her lashes but she smiles up
at them both.
81 am the girl--the happy girl, dear
Laura. How strange that you should
come at this very moment, Gilbert L
did not expect you until the twentieth.
Laura had just been telling me she
met you abroad, and all the little ro-
nance. But come in. We must sit
down and talk together"
Robbie-Robbie, will you run up
to the house, like good fellow, and
tell Nina want to speak to her. Pm
going to bring you that new fishing
rod tomorrow honor bright. Tell
her am waiting here at the gate; and
don't let all the world hear you, that's
a little man."
Down through the twilight comes
Nina, minute later, in her cleaning
white dress, with white lace shawl
around her head, to find Starwood
Burley lurking in the naples shadow
at the gate.
"Will you walk along the road lit
tie way?" he asks, abruptly, without
greeting of any kind"
She steps down beside him, and they
walk away slowly under the great
branches of the elms and chestnuts,
along the quiet country road.
al suppose must congratulate you
on the arrival of your-of DR.. Leslie.
Laura informed me that he had arrived
this morning, while she was with you"
"Thanks, yes. Hecame quite unex-
pecedly. He wanted to give me sur
prise, and it was surprise"
" You are delighted, of course"
al am very. very happy" she an
swers, gently; Il never thought tc be
so happy"
And of her own free will she lays her
hand within his arm, and leans con-
fidingly on its support.
N"Oh, don't Nina don't talk about
it r. looking down longingly at the
little clinging hand on his coat-sleeve.
"You make coward of me. In all
honor, 1 have no right to be here with
you now; but Laura intimated that
you wished to see me, and came,
Nina, but only to say goodbye. l can't
bear this sort of thing. We must not
meet any more. By-and-bye, per-
| haps-"
"Star," says Nina, standing still be-
fore him, suddenly, in the darkened
road, lonely now as forest path. 81
am the happiest woman in the world
tonight. Do you know why? Be
cause you love me. Something SO
strange has happened" And then shc
pours forth story that Starw0Od can
scarcely credit, in his amazement and
delight.
"It is like dream" he stammers.
The other two will be happy together,
and 1 can have you'll Am l really
awaken Doctor Leslie is willing and
it is all srranged?"
doctor Leslie has gone over to see
Laura, and talk with Mrs. Creigh-I
sent him off across fields as soon as
Robbie told me you had come. And
Laura thinks il would be nice to have
the two marriages at onca What do