The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1883-06-20

that Mr.. Clinton was entirely different
fom 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-
emy, 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 Majd
half wished she would be her natural
sell, 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:
E.Miss Wanerson,I i called this even
ing only on business, but / have for q
long time wanted to say something to
you about q matter"
Excuse me Just for q moment, Ma
jor,S' interrupted Miss Nell, ''the gas is
Kissing dreadfully. Won't you be good
enough 10 see which burner it is; I'm
too short to reach any of them, I'm
sorry to say
The Major hastened to the rescue.
He heard q 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
Neil. 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 q temptation to
say, 30, nothing Of any consequence"
and said: 81 have been long the most
reyerent adorer of certain young lady
who"
30, MajorI" exclaimed Miss Nell;
''the idea of you being in love. Did
you-"
Excuse me, Miss Wallerson," said
the Major, hastily, ssbut no one is COM
petent to pass an opinion on my con-
dition of mind but myself. 1 fully
know my own feelings, and merely wish
an opportunity to explain them in such
manner as may be most respectful"
: II beg your pardon, Major" said
Miss Nell, now entirely on her guard.
s''Please continue, and believe no one
here can doubt your sincerity. ~ y 81
Z The Majors heart gave a mighty
bound; evidently this mischievous girl
suspected something and was willing to
suppress herself. sE'--es---'>
81 have long been worshiping lady
whom I would have been glad to make
my wife," continued the Major, s.if /
else had to offer her would not seem
obliged to give up"
sfRnrrr- tftflpo1o dNao xyo., honor
Major" said Miss Nell, in the kindest
way in the world.
ssThank you-thank you," said the
Major, hastily. Perhaps, then, you
will understand why speak with more
than my customary freedom. Miss WALL
erson, / was trained in my youthful
days to such unquestioning reverence
for woman as woman that feel almost
like thief when think of asking any
woman for her hand and heart +"
'.Again, Major, 1 must say that your
thoughtfulness and delicacy do you
honbr," said Miss Nell, as demurely as
if she had never teazed any one in her life.
'sThank you-thank you," said the
Major again. 81 would like first to ex-
plain myself, if may trouble you for a
moment 1 am, I believe. an honorable
man. 1 have good business and a
good bank account. i want to devote
both, and my life beside, to the service
of the sweetest woman that ever lived.
I cannot expect her to love me as love
her, for she is an angel, and am only
well, only q man."
"a true man." said Miss Nell, still
as demure as Parson, sis as good as
anything else in the world-even as good
as q true woman"
s.Do you really think SOP" asked the
Major. "I must believe you against my
will, but entirely according to my in
clination. Well, the woman whom 1
love you know very well; no one can
know her better; she is pure, good,
sweet, noble, tender"
"Major-Major," exclaimed Miss
Nell.
-.4Please don't contradict me on this
particular point said the Major; II
really think / know-I am sureI do"
s ssThen," said Miss NeIl, sit would be
very impolite in me to contradict, but
really"
3 sReally," said the Major" 1 am
weighing my words most carefully and
mean all say. want to offer her all
I am and have, under any conditions
she may impose. Don't imagine me
impulsiye or rash in this matter" con-
tinued the Major. extending both his
hands in his earnestness al mean
What the Major meant was never
explained, for Miss Nell, in accordance
with her own ideas of what the excited
man was trying to say, murmured
Enough" fell upon the Majors breast
and threw her arms around the Majors
neck. MI Lt E.31it
What could the astonished man do
What would any gentleman do in such
circumstances Miss Alice tripped into
the parlor, found it dark. turned the
gas, saw the couple, and exclaimed:
80, mylp - --471 r -crff.is
Her sister looked up into the Majors
face for q second, then dropped her
brow on his shoulder and said:
30 myr'
And the Major, looking down at the
face before him, now entirely empty of
ROBUSTNESS and everything else but
tenderness, forgot all the past, placed
his arms about the graceful figure that
rested ON him, and said:
80 myr' So
And although he has been married
ten years, he never has had reason to
regret his mistake.-IRe Hour.
Millet.