The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-03-10
NELL AND CHRIS.

There were only seven OF US. all girls,
in the dear old parsonage at Wraybu
where papa had lived for thirty years.
Under the daisies in the pretty coun-
try churchyard dear mamma had slept
since Kate was wee baby. and Aunt
Jane had come to care for the motherless
children of her brother as soon as the
calamity fell upon him.
We are rosy-cheeked. healthy set OF
girls, rather good-looking, Nell being
oar beauty, and the only invalid.
am cripple, but am not going to
bother you with my story. excepting us
my observations are recorded.
1t was in the spring, and my sisters
and Aunt Jane were very busy with
housewoIk.
was in my room. knitting; papa wan
dering about, disconsolate at the invas-
ion of his study, and consequent inter.
rnption of his literary work, when the
murmur of voices from the porch hJated
mp to me, and l mentally exclaimed,
Dear me! Chris is proposing to Nell
again.
"Ard nobody ever will, or ever can
1--we you as l do" Chris was saying, when
Nell voice struck in.
There, that window fairly dnzzles
you! Who says I can't clean glass2 Oh,
beg your pardon, Chris. No, Of
course!'
But Nell, do listen to mel
Chris, didn't you ask me to marry you
when was iu my cradle2 am sure you
have asked me once week ever since.
want you know, or ought to know, by
this time. Why can't you ask somebody
else. Just for variety? am sure any oi
the other girls will make a much better
wife than will; that il" said Nell, with
sudden spasm of loyalty for the rest o.
US, "if any OF them would take you"
"How can care for anyone else wher
my whole heart has been yours all my
lite?" said Chris, disconsolately. ut il
cruel to trifle so with true love-"
Don't be au IDIOT" said Nell. sharp
Iy. II never trih I'd with you! told yo,
that you were horrid boy, and woult
never marry you, when You used to stea
apples to present TO me. and never
never told you anything else"
"No," sighed Chris.
Then why don't you let me alone?"
H re Aunt jane, her head tied mp in
m amer that detieA description, came up
on the scene with, "Oh, here's Chris
Chris, do run over to Snlith's aud get II,
a paper of carpet tackS!'
Chris departed.
Presently Smiths boy brought H.
carpet tacks, and Nell was let alone fc
the remainder of that day, Us far as Chr
was concerned.
The next day the cleaning went for
ward briskly, but it Was still early in tn
M nruing when Nell came to my room
equipped for walk.
Any letters?' she asked, carelessly
"A am going down the street"
None" l said; Il did not think yo,
could be spared"
Aunt Jane is rather grnm' y about it.
said Nell, adjusting a ccqnet,lSh wreatl
of apple blossoms upon her hat, "but
want to get the smell Of s0Nnsuds out O
my nose. / may stop at Gllmore's; hav
you any messags?'
"Only my love 20 Mrs. Gilmore"
NV, Mrs. Gilmore was the mother O
Nell's persistent adorer, Christophe
Nelson Gilmore, aud the families hat
been intimate fer Years.
S i'll, fer Nell To take the middle o
house-c.eani week tn call on Mira. Gil
more was IA little ont ct order.
She fitted away, her sunny curls dane
ia, on the soft May breez', and /. put
ting two an two tngetber. remembers
that Chris had not been in the house 70
twenty-four hours.
VdinlY tried to recall similar inter
val when he was in WraybuTn.
School, college, business had calle
him out of the village, but his HON
hours were always fairly divided betwee
his mothers house and ours.
Something must be the matter!
l thought of all possible and impoSs
ble cataslrophes till was not surprise
to see Nell coming in at the gate in
snbdued frame of mind, apparent upo
her pretty face.
Sc & ms directly Ia ma. as they a