The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-06-09


with Miss Nell, and while in that unu-
sual condition he would make conf
dent of her and ask her advice and as
sistance. He would try to talk to her
as if she were a man; it might be rash
experiment, but he felt equal to almost
any degree of rashness when he thought
of how many times before he had re-
solved and failed.
So the Major went to the Wallerson
home on the evening appointed by mis-
chievous Miss Nell, with a stouter heart
than he had felt, outside of business
hours, since the war ended. He ar
ranged with the young ladyto bring all
his male friends into the surprise party,
and she, rather confused by her new
view of the Majors character, was most
ELUSIVE in thanks, and being only TWEEN
ty-three years of age, and being no old
er than her years signified, was COM
pletely astounded by the Majors cool
ness. She could not help betraying her
curiosity; she looked at the Major in
quiringly, she dropped into reveries and
she said to her mother, who came to the
door of the parlor a moment about
some affair strictly of family nature,
that Mr.. Clinton was entirely different
from what she had imagined him to be.
But the Major did not know this, and
after the business of the evening ended
he began to feel the old familiar cold
sweat that had been his torment in the
swamps of the Chicahominey fifteen
years before. Conversation had dropped
to the dead level of the National Acad-
envy, the last new novel and Browns
last volume of poems, all of which were
very bad. Miss Nell looked interested,
pretty and sentimental until the Major
half wished she would be her natural
self, for he had at last reused himself to
the combative state, and he wanted to
talk with her in the most serious man.
ner about her sister. AT last he made
desperate effort and said:
"Miss Wallerson, called this even
ing only on business, but l have for a
long time wanted to say something to
you about a matter"
excuse me just for moment, Ma
jOr, interrupted Miss Nell, 'the gas is
kissing dreadfully. Won't you be good
enough to see which burner it Is; I'm
too short to reach any of them, I'm
sorry to say"
The Major fastened to the rescue.
He heard a Kissing noise, as of the es-
cape of too much gas he could not be
sure which of the six burners was at
fault, so he turned down one after an
other until the noise stopped and the
parlor was almost dark,
"You are very kind, " murmured Miss
Nell, as the Major resumed his seat
near her; the blowing of gas is dread
fully annoying to the ear. By the way,
you were saying that
The Major resisted temptation to
say, go, nothing of any consequence,
and said: 81 have been long the most
reverent adorer of a certain young lady
who"
80, Maori exclaimed Miss Nell;
''the idea of you being in love. Did
you
Excuse me, Miss Wallerson," said
the Major, hastily, "but no one is COM
petent to pass an opinion on my con-
dition of mind but myself / fully
know my own feelings, and merely wish
an opportunity to explain them in such
manner as may be most respectful"
Il beg your pardon, Major" said
Miss Nell, now entirely on her guard.
''Please continue, and believe no one
here can doubt your sincerity"
The Majors heart gave mighty
bound; evidently this mischievous girl
suspected something and was willing to
suppress herself.
II have long been worshiping a lady
whom | would have been glad to make
xryifo y onntin,Io1 ha 10,
had not feared that my love and what
else | had to offer her would not seem
compensation for what she would be
obliged to give up"
''Your thoughtfulness does you honor,
Major" said Miss Nell, in the kindest
way in the world.
'Thank you-thanl1 you,n said the
Major, hastily. Perhaps, then, you
will understand why [ speak with more
than my customary freedom. Miss Wall
erson, Twas trained in my youthful
days to such unquestioning reverence
for woman as woman that feel almost
like a thief when | think of asking any
woman for her hand and heart. ~
"Again, Major, must say that your
thoughtfulness and delicacy do you
HONOR said Miss Nell, as demurely as
if she had never teazed any one in her life.
''Thank you-thank YOU" said the
Major again. II would like first to ex-
plain myself, if l may trouble you for a
moment. am, believe, an honorable
man. l have good business and a
good bank account want to devote
both, and my life beside, to the service
of the sweetest woman that ever lived.
1 cannot expect her to love me as love
her, for she is an angel, and l am only
well, only man."
ga true man." said Miss Nell, still
as demure as parson, sis as good as
anything else in the world-even as good
as true woman"
"Do you really think SOP" asked the
Major. 81 must believe you against my
will, but entirely according to my in
clination. Well, the woman whom l
love you know very well; no one can
know her better; she is pure, good,
sweet, noble, tender"
"Major-Major,'' exclaimed Miss
Nell.
"Please don't contradict me on this
particular point said the Major; Il
really think know am sure do"
''Then," said Miss Nell, sit would be
very impolite in me to contradict, but
really"
..D Ill ;, .l H. NT:., ;, T 49,.