The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-08-31

my heart.
'"Where have you been, Nelly" asks
papa, with q smile, as enter. /.
For walk answer briefly, as !
throw down my hat, feeling as if they
must read what is passing in my mind.
Freddys eyes say as plainly as
words iu ull.l .'H.. .
"You might have left me come"
Poor Fred! I think he is fond Of
his old playfellow.
Presently it is time to say good
night, and we all dispense, for Freddy
has stopped until the last moment.
l never knew him TO be 80 reluctant
TO leave us as he has been this even
ing
I cannot sleep, for it is the last time
i shall occupy my little white bed
the very last. Conscience is not utter
ly stifed by love. 1t will tell me that
am doing wrong. My sisters are
cold and hard, but it is their nature
my father is all that a daughter could
wish.
But still, when evening comes again,
60 to meet my lover, turning my
head once or twice to look at the light
ed windows of the dear old rectory.
How long will it be before I see it
again.
Vincent is waiting at the church.
yard gate, and little way down the
lane stands private carriage.
He takes my arm, and is about to
lead me to the vehicle, when / draw
back with faint scream, for, in the
moonlight, / see Freddy rapidly ap-
preaching, and at the same moment
recognise him he recognizes me.
"Nell!" be cries, and then a>hot
flush mounts to his brow as he sees
Vincent.
'Let us pass, if you please says my
lover haughtily, tor he stands right in
our path.
"Nell," says Freddy again, "my
poor, poor child, what are you doing
here at such an hour with such com
panion ~
make no answer, but, clinging tc
Vincents arm, wait for him to speak.
"Out Of the way!" he cries angri.
| ly.
But Freddy stands firm, meeting his
gaze unflinchingly.
He looks brave, and true, and good
but my sympathies are all with Vim
cent.
81 will let you pass if you release
this lady, Captain Adderly," is Freddy's
calm reply.
What does he mean !? do not give
him time to say more. My heart gives
a great leap, and then seems as if tc
stand still.
captain Adderly," l repeat. "Fred
dy, do you know what you are saying
This is Vincent Powerscroft, my fu
ture husband Vincent, say something
to convince him of the mistake he ha'
made
"Nell, will you listen to this mar
who is trying to poison your mind
against me 7" cries my lover.
"Yes, Ishe will listen to me-" say,
Freddy, calmly. "Nell, little playmate
do not 60 with this man who so cruel
ly ill-treated and neglected his. owl
wife that she has been driven into
lunatic asylum by his unkindness. H,
is Captain Adderly. Let him deny i
if he dare !"
"Hold your meddling tongue, fool !!
cries Vincent, fercely, and taking
pistol from his pocket, he deliberatel,
fires it at Fred, who puts up his hand
and falls back with gasping Cry.
"ComeT cries my lover, and woult
urge me forward, but I draw bacl
with loud scream, and rush ava,
like one bereft of reason.
"Nell Nell!' shouts my lover, bu
heed not the voice that had been 8,
dear. All think of is Freddy, dea'
or dying, the kind old playmate VIII,
has never given me an angry word.
| OF course my father and sisters hav'
TO be told everything, but no one els
knows a word OF what happened
Freddy is brought to the rectory
where he lies in peril of his life 70
many weary days. Captain Adderly
has gone abroad. I hope he'll sta,
there.
| They tell me Freddy will live. How
glad l am!-although he must hat
the sight of me when he remember
all the trouble I have caused him
They say he wants to see me, but
cannot 60 just yet. l weep when
remember the day when / wished hir
dead. How nearly that wish has bee
realized!
At last l 90, and the last shadow Q
my romance fades as kneel beside hi
couch.
"Nell," he says, ''poor little Mel
forgive me for al the trouble l hav
caused you,'
ut is you who must forgive me-
Ory, and then ! take his hands in mir
; and kiss them.
"Don't! don't!" he says. and turr
! a shade or two paler, and ::shrinks bae
as if my lips had blistered him.
81 thought you must hate me- ! al
} swer, meekly.
: "Hate you'll" he cries. "Nel
Nell! don't you know that ha,
loved You all my lifef"
He turns away his head, but my ar
steals round his neck, and, as he lool
!, up at me, whisper in his ear that
love him, and that my first transgre
sion shall be my last.