The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1883-01-11
"Why. what do you meanP" cried
Hildepard and T.

y
Hildegard and /.
"That hope to have you both watch
the next Now Year in. with me in my
own homo on Murray Hill"
lhis was startling statement. For
an instant we wero siIenced with aston
isbment then Hildegard, recovering her
voice. cried with agitation:
Explain! explain in words, Mina,n
You know" said Nina, chow much
have been with Adele, and how fond
she has been of mo and | of
her, You know how attentive and
kind her father has ben to me,
anu that L suppose that of course
1t was out of consideration for her.
wen, tonight, as we arc going out to
the sleighs, ho said to mo: Come,
you bad better ridc with mo-. His
manner was tender and affectionate all
the evening, and l began to imagine
that he would prove a devoted escort
for the rest Of tho winter, when nv
anticipations wege cut short by his
proposal. 1t was just at twelve o'clock.
Mr. Farquhar and were sitting in the
deep window, and l, to be first, quickly
said: Il wish you happy New Year
81 Do youp said he. taking my hand.
Then, II you are really my we'll
wisher, l will make you my confdant.
am not happy when l am away from
you. have remained here this past
year Tor the happiness of being near
you. Now business will wait no longer,
and it is imperative that | return to the
city. Will you go with me?
"Of course, girls, said, Yes and
shall consequently tako 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 homo, the dear trees, and the old
folks, who are very precious tome. AS
Tor you, girls, you can be with me half
Of the time"
Nina had hardly taken breath during
this explanation; tho whole thing had
como so unexpectedly that she was
flushed and excited. 1 was stunned at
the thought Of losing her, and said
nothing. Hildegard, who had not
"p m glad did it, it is best.''
Reused by the tone, both Nina and
saw that something troubled her, for
two great pearly tears had fallen on her
checks; and wo urged her TO have no
Tell us, Hildegard, what is the mat
terPn
"Six words will do" replied she. II
refused Harry Fcnton to-night;n 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 n farmer, and will never
be anything else. He said tonight, he
never could leave his father. | saw toe
much of the practical farm-life at home
to form any dreams of poetical char
! acterabOutit | cannot live and die on the
| same plot of ground like vegetable
must travel; | started the working out
of an irresistible desire when I came
here, and l must go on. l would not be
just to Harry Fenton if | should marry
him; for / could not be happy rs a
farmer wife, even though that farmer
was Harry Fenton."
"Don't worry, darling," said 1; "vou
cannot help it; it is drop of Richard
Dolton' blood in your veins Don't ho
unhappy, dear, just help mo congratu-
late Nina"
"And your next move onward shall
be to New York; said Nina.
"Whero you may capture o Captain,
with whom you can sal ovor the high
seas added |.
Hidcgard said nothing, ard I, having
the floor. continued:
"Wcll, let's go to bod for the pres.
ent; and when Nina is married, and
you are exploring tho antipodes, I will
come to New York and teach, if Nina
will let me live with her"
"Ho! hum!' sighed Hildogard,
tumblinS into bed; II wonder Where
we will all be next New Year!'
''On Murray Hili," answered Nina.
But that was mistakO; it was many
years before we met on Murray Hill al
New Year Sin fact not till tonight.
Nina was married in March; HildeGard
and were bridesmaids. HildegarC
went to tho city with her, while hoi
sister camo from Vermont to stay with
, me.
In November Hldcgard was married
to rather gay young millionaire, who
had just come into his money, and went
to Europe for wedding tour. The
next New Year Eve grandma was not
well, so did not visit Nina, and Hide
| gard was still abroad. Harry spent the
| watch with me, and talked about her
| poor fellow, | felt worry sorry for him
especially when he said; "If father haC
not sent me to college, should have
been better contcnted to remain upor
the farm, for then should have had NJ
hopes OF Hildegard. Yet, when mother
died, she asked my promise never II
leave father, and gave it"
=, After grandma died, went to New
ork TO teach, and thcrO met young
journalist, and married him. We were
not burdened with untold wealth, but
we loved each other dearly, and con.
cluded to take the chances about get.
ting along, which Childlike simplicity
we have never had cause to regret. His
| business led him hithcr and thithcr, and
in every move have accompanied him.
| Last summer we went to San Fran
cisco; there visited my mother. We
heard n great deal of prominent jour,
! nalist who had como there rich man,
and multiplied his fortune so many
times that all feminine Frisco was now
| pulling caps for him. He was present
cd at mamma's saloon one evening
Imagine NY astonishment, when thi:
| crplIop man Nrngnptp1 n ma "a