The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-06-28

him. While talking business Miss Nell
certainly would not endeavor to tease
aim; his bashfulness never troubled him
while talking with ladies on any subject
requiring common sense, opinion and
executive ability; he should therefore be
able to feel at easc with Miss Nell. and
while i'll that unusual condition he would
make confidant of her and ask her ad-
tice and assistance. He would try to
talk to her as if she were man; it might
5c rash experiment., but he felt equal
to almost any degree of rashness when
he thought of how many times before he
had resolved and failed.
So the Major went to the Wallerson
home on the evening appointed by mis-
chievous Miss Nell, with stouter heart
than he had felt, outside of business
hours, since the war ended. He arranged
with the young lady to 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
years of age and no older than her years
signified, was completely astounded by
the Majors GOODNESS. She could not
help betraying her curiosity; she looked
ut the Major inquiringly, she dropped
into reveries, and she said to her mother,
who came to the door of the parlor Il mo-
mcnt about some affair stictly of n family
nature, that Mr.. Clinton was entirely
different to what she had imagined him
to be-
But the Major did not know all this.
and after the business of the evenina,
ended he began to feel the old familiar
cold sweat that had been his torment in
the swamps of the Chicahominey, tif-
teen years before. Conversation had
dropped to the dead level of the National
Academy, the last new novel, and
Browns last volume of poems, all of
which were very bad. Mics Nell looked
interested, pretty and sentimental until
the Major half wished she would Lc her
natural self, for he had at last reused
himself to the combative state, and he
wanted to talk with her in the most
scri manner about her sister. At last
he made desperate effort and said:
"Miss Walerson, l called this evening
only on business, but have for long
time wanted to say something to You
about q natter
''EXcusc me, just for an instant. Ma
lor," interrupted Miss Nell, "the gas is
Kissing dreadfully. Won't you be good
enough to see which burner it is; I'm
just too short to reach any of them, I'm
sorry to say"
The Major fastened to the rescue.
lie heard kissing noise, as of the escape
of too much gas, he could not be sure
which OF the six burners was at fault, so
he turned down one after another until
the noise stopped and the parlor was
almost dark.
"4ou are very kind" muimured Miss
Nell, tshc Ma or resumed his seat hear
her, 1.-THE blowing of gas is dreadfully
annoying to the ear. By the way, YOU
were saying that
The Major resisted temptation to
say, ooh, nothing of any consequence, ,"
II have been long the most revercnt
adorer OF certain young lady who''-
"Oh, Major" exclaimed Miss Nell:
inc Idea OF you being in love. Did
you"-
"Excuse me, Miss Wallclson, said
the Major hastily, "but no one is compc-
tent to pass an opinion on my condition
OF mind but myself. I fully know nv
own feelings, and merely wish an oppor-
UNITY tOCXplain them in such manner as
may be most respectful"
81 beg your pardon, Major" said Miss
Nell, now entirely on her guard. "Plcnsc
continue, and believe no one here can
doubt your sincerity"
The Majors heart gave mighty
bound; evidently this mischicvous girl
suspected something and was willing to
suppress herself.
'T have long been worshiping a lady
whom | would have been glad to make
my wife," continued the Major, "if /
nj I,of
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 kindcst
way in the world.
"Thanl you-thank you," said The
Major, hastily. 'Pcrhaps, then, you
will understand why [ speak With moro
than my customary freedom Miss Wal
lerson, L 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, I must say that your
thOughtfulncsS and 3clicacy do You
honor," said Miss Nell, rs demurely as
if she had never toascd any one in her
life.
"Thank you-th thank YOU" said the
Major again. "I would like first to ex-
plain myself, if I may trouble you for
moment. am, I believe, an honorable
man; have good business and a good
bank account. l want to devote both
and my life, beside, to tie service of the
sweetest woman that ever lived. I can-
not expect her to love me as | love her,
for she is an angel and l am only-wcll,
only man.
"a true man." said Miss Nell, still as
dcmure as q parson, "is rs good as any,
thing else III the world-even as good as
q true woman.
"Do you really thinl; SOP" asked the
Major. 81 must believe you against my
will, but entirely according to my incli,
nation. Well the woman whom / love
you know very WE'LL no one can know
her better; she is pure, good, sweet,
noble tender
"Majorl Major" exclaimed Miss
Nell