Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1883-02-24
81 hope he may have a happy oner-

10 nACo W uo IndrTle0 so very soon. Inc
second of next mOnth-Only think !
and l am just nineteenl No one
knew OF our engagement except Aunt
Maggie, and now she is so anxious to
have every one know, and to have us
sottled; and l like to be single, don't
you? 1t seems dreadful just to leave
school and then be married. haven't
had any good time"
"Why not postpone your wedding
for while?" asks Nina, smiling at the
frankness of her beautiful visitor.
" You are both so young"
'.Ah, but poor Star would object
He would be so terribly disappointed,
you know. He has been looking for
ward to our marriage. But l was
tfanMDg, Nina, perhaps you could
tax to him. He has such coincidence
in your judgment. You might tell
him that you think am too young.
You understand him so well. You
would just know what to say. You will
think 1 am the strangest girl
in the world to come here
and talk like this; but, don't you
see. 1 can't speak to Aunt Maggie, and
dare not to poor Star, and there is no
one else. will be married before
know it, Nina if don't make some
effort"
There are tears dimming the lus-
trous dark eyes.
Nina, touched and astonished, draws
little chair close to her new friends
side, and takes her hand in a kind
clasp. at this Laura's tears brim
over.
"YOu will think l am a fool" she
says, presently, with little sob now
and then between her words, "but
your lovely, sweet face won me in a
minute. don't mean that you are
handsome, but you are so lovely And
that dear little calicoap couldn't
be afraid of you, Nina. OF course, 1
didn't mean to be so frank with you
all at once; but ] could never like you
any better than 40 now, and / can't
help speaking my heart right out. 1
want you to reason with Star-not
reason, eKactly-but show him-make
him nderstand-well, tel him some
thing"
"Ah. but you must tell me some
thing first, Laura Isn't there some
one else-sOme one who has taken
Stars place in your heart? Is not that
the trouble, dear?"
"Oh, Nina, Ninar'
"I thought so. Tell me, Laura,
how it happened. Tell me all about
it. Then we can consult"
"YOu little darlingl l have felt
like a criminal; but if you could only
see him, Ninal l met him in Paris
when L was spending the holidays with
schOOlmate. He was studying with
her father, Professor Vieux. There
were lots of students, but this one is a
young American-SO talented and so
hands0me-and we fell in love with
each other at first sight. 1t was ter
rible, Nina-sO awfully sudden and
unexpected; but, don't you know, he
was quite wild about me, and / was
Just as bad about him. And he is en-
gagged to a girl out here-he would not
tell me her name; but he does not love
her at all-at least, since he's known
me he doesn't. But then, you see, his
word binds him, and he is so honor
able, He is coming over in a few
weeks. and thought, if 1 need not 0e
married OsOOn-dOn't you see?-that,
possibly. something might happen"
What is your lovers name, Laura,
if it be fair question ?"
" His name? Do you think ought
to tell his name? will tell you. His
name is Doctor Leslie"
"Ahp
1t is a little cry, gasp, that escapes
Nina's lips, but is checked back in
stantly.
~Do you know?" Laura asks, with
a wondering air.
al know the girl he has promised to
marry. and have seen the letters he
has written her, so full of tenderness.
She never dreamed his love could
waver. Laura, this is terrible 1.-THE
surpriser'
Il know it. DEAR" says Laura, pen
itently; "but what can we do? I'm
sure we don't compel ourselves to love.
Love compels us. How strange you
should be acquainted with Doctor Les
lies affianeed ! 1t seems just like a
story. Is she nice2 He would never
say anything about her except poor
child!'"
poor childI'' echoes Nina, with a
smile. @She would only 0e poor child
if she should marry, him / could tell
you about her. too. Laura, how she has
struggled 70 keep faith with her faith