The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1883-01-10
why, what do you meanP' cried
Hildepard and I.

why, Wnat 10 you nean1 ciieu |
Hildegard and !.
"That | hope to have you both watch
the next New Year in. with me in my
own home ON Murray Hill"
This was a startling statement. For
an instant we were silenced with aston
ishmcnt then Hildegard, recovering her
voice, cried with agitation
Explain! explain in words, Nina"
"You know" said Nina, show much
] have been with Adele, and how fond
she has been OF me and of
her. You know how attentive and
kind her father has been to me,
and that l suppose that Of course
it was out of consideration for her.
Well; tonight, as we are going out to
the sleighs, he said to me: Come,
you had better ride with me- His
manper was tender and alectionate all
the evening, and l began to imagine
that he would prove devoted escort
for the rest of the winter, when my
anticipations were cut short by his
proposal. 1t was just ut twelve clock.
Mr. Farquhar and | were sitting in the
deep window, and |, to be first, quickly
said: 4 wish you happy New Year
"Do yous said he. taking my hand.
Then, If you are really my we'll
wishcr, ! will make you my coniidant.
am not happy when | am away from
you. have remained here this past
year for the happiness of being near
you Now business will wait no longer,
and it is imperative that | return TO the
oil,
"Of course, girls, said, Yes, and
shall consequently take up my abode
in that narrow. heated street, common
ly called Madison Avenue, and roll be-
hind those same spanking bays We
drove to night through Central Park,
which is all very delightful to think of;
yet it breaks my heart to part from this
old home. the dear trees, and the old
folks, who are very precious tome. AS
for you, girls, you can be with me half
of the time"
Nina had hardly taken breath during
this explanation; the whole thing had
como so unexpectedly that she was
flushed and excited was stunned at
the thought of losing her, and said
nothing. Hildcgard, who had not
spoken, here uttered, as II in a dream:
az m glad did it; 1t is best" "
Reused by the tone, both Nina and l
saw that something troubled her, for
two great pearly tears had fallen on her
! cheeks; and wo urged her to have no
secrets from us.
"Tell us, Hildegard, what is the mat
terp"
"Six words will do" replied she. 81
refused Harry Fenton tonight" and
more tears followed.
Neither Nina nor said anything; we
didn' know what to say. We were
sure that she loved Harry. Then she
said: Harry is tho best fellow in the
world; but he is q farmer, and willnever
be ANYTHING else. He said tonight, he
never could leave his father. i saw too
much of the practical farm-life ut home
10 form any dreams OF q poetical char
acter aboutit. cannotlive and die on the
same plot Of ground like q vegetable.
must travel; started the working out
of an irresistible desire when | came
here, and must 90 on. i would not be
Just to Harry Fenton II ! SHOULD marry
him; for l could not be happy as a
farmers wife, even though that farmor
was Harry Fenton."
on'tworry, darling" said !; 'you
cannot help it; it is q drop OF Richard
Dolton' blood in your veins. Don't be
unhappy, dear, Just help me congratu-
late Nina"
"And your next move onward shall
be to New York" said Nina
"Where you may capture n Captain,
with whom you can sal over the high
seas" added |.
Hildegard said nothing, ard l, having
the floor. continued:
"Well, let's 90 to bed for the pres
ent; and when Nina is married, ant
you are exploring the antipodes, will
come to New York and teach, if MINI
will let me live with her."
"Ho! humr' sighed Hildegard
tumbling into bed; II wonder wher
we will oil be next New Year!'
"On Murray Hill. answered Nina
But that was q mistake; IL was many
year. before we met on Murray Hill a
New Years-in fact, not till tonight.
Nina was married in March; Hildegard
and I were bridesmaids Hildegart
went to the city with her, while hel
sister came from Vermont to stay will
me.
In November Hildegard was married
to rather gay young millionaire, whit
,. had Just come into his money, and wen
.. to Europe for q wedding tour. Th
= next New Year Eve grandma was nc
y well, SO did not visit Nina, and Hide
:, gard was still abroad. Harry spent ii
y watch with me, and talked about her
o poor fellow, / felt very sorry for hin
d especially when he said; "lf father hs
d not sent me to college, ] should hay
10 been better contcnted to remain upt
n the farm, for then should have had l
4. hopes OF Hildegard. Yet, when moth
10 died, she asked my promise never
,s leave father, and ! gave it."
l. After grandma died, | went to Ne
Is York to teach, and there met a YOU
% journalist, and married him. We we
" not burdened with untold wealth, b
W we loved each other dearly, and CO
10 cluded to take the chances about &.
a ting along, which ehildlike simplioi
10 we have never had cause to regret q
ct business led him hither and thither, al
n. in every move have accompanied MI
/. Last summer we went to San FRA
IS, cisco; there visited my mother. "
ID heard great deal of q prominent you you
as nalist who had come there rich ma
ut and multiplied his fortune SO ma
10 times that all feminine Frisco was nu
n, pulling caps for him. He was preseen o.,
w ed at mamma, saloon one evenln
"a In Imagine 81 MY astonishment; W when IN. tt
IT. golden man was presented to me- !.
10 Behold in him Harry Fenton! In
wv course Of a tete-a.!ete conversation,
.st ine him alone in the world. Unable
rls endure life on the land that had
20 priyed him of his dearest hope, ne SC
ey it, and, taking the proceeds, slartea :.
nd atour-much after the manner OF Je 2
IN | " ~ L..o. finally reaching inc