The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-07-10

With such mother, Nelly was not
much troubled by any scruplos of con-
science for deceiving her.
When she reached home, she sat
down and wrote note to Herr Hern-
sheim, which she fiattered herself was
a model of prudence and caution. She
paid him some eXtravagant compli-
ments on his voice, touched upon the
mysterious influence it had upon her,
leading her to make request to him.
She wished to express in person the
qualification he had given her. and con-
suit him about some songs she wished
to get for herself. Would he meet her
the following evening, about five
o'clock, at Linden Park? She would
hold a bouquet of white roses and
heartsease, and he would know her by
that. She signed herself "Fairie'
Nelly's heart beat high as the hour
drew near for the interview. She did
not try to analyze her own feelings. but
she could not help wondering what
and if he would be pleased or disguised.
She wore her handsomest walking
dress and her most becoming hat. She
was allowed to 90 out when she chose,
and the only comment her mother made
was to say, languidly:
Nelly, you ought not to wear your
handsomest hat in this damp air. The
/ plumes will be uncurled; but you are so
careless. Be back before dark, for we
are going to the opera. and it takes you
so long to get dressed"
She reached the park before the ap-
pointed time and promeuaded slowly
through it, holding her bouquet of roses
and heartseaSe very cOnspicuously.
More than one of the habitues of the
park noticed the pretty girl. her cheeks
flushed, and her eyes looking furtively
around, and they smiled to themselves,
knowing what it meant. Some one was
to meet her.
She passed bench where two stout,
comfOrtable-lOoking, middle-aged peo-
pie were seated, and the gentleman,
glancing at the flowers in her hand,
said a few words in German to his com
panion, and then stepped in front of
Nelly. He smiled and took OFF his hat,
exposing a partially bald head.
''Mees Fairie, | tink, from DOSE"
pointing to the flowers in her hand.
She glanced at his bald head and
hOmely face and drew back haughtily
He smiled.
"Ah, meeS, YOU recognize me not,
but am Herr Hernsheim, and dis is
your kind note, is it not?" taking it out
of his pocket.
Nelly felt her head Keeling. She
looked at the broad, good-natured,
shiny face before her, and the full.
middle-aged figure, and fairly gasped
for breath.
You. Herr Hernsheim" she SIAM
mered.
Il hope so,' with 4 jolly laugh, ''if
it is not my 'doppel- Ach,
meeS, you hat me only see on de stage.
1t is deterrent. De paint and de
powder, and de Wig on my bald head,
dat makes de stage hero. Yees, wees,
sheim all de Same-at your service"
making Il low bow.
With one great crash Nelly's senti-
mental card-caStle tumbled down and
so overwhelmed her in its ruins that she
was unable to collect her shattered
senses.
You did wish to ask me about some
songs" the Herr went on, quite at his
ease. "COme wild me to my wife, D." lead
ing her to the bench on which the stout
lady was seated.
''Amalia, de meeS wants some songs.
Nv wife she teach moosic and singing.
and she has many songs at orr rooms.
She will sell dem cheap. Ii you will
come tomorrow Amalia will hear Won
sing and know what suits your voice.
Amalia smiled and nodded, and ut
tered some words in deep cultural
tones, which might have been English,
German or Chinese for what bewldercd
Nelly could tell. She gazed intently
At Nelly. said something in German to
her husband, and their eyes filled with
tears.
''Amalia does say you are like our
Minna She died last year. only six
teen. All, she was so heavenly goot,
SO modest and lofely. She was our
youngest child Ach Gottr'
at is time for me to 60" Nelly said,
nervously.
You will come tomorrow and get
the mooSic? All, yes, Amalia will help
You. | will walk wild YOU to YOUR car
1t is too late for young girl to go
alone
As they walked towards the car. the
German said, impressiveIy, ''My child,
you are like my Minna. and my heart
is full of friendship for you. Let me
elf you one leetle advice. DO not write
to artists, and tell dem you adore dere
voice, and make appointment to meet
dem. 1t is not good for 4 young girl
to do dose tings. and all de artists are
not bald old men like me. All. it hurts /
a girl to do dose tingS, and some day /
she is sorry for it. You are only a
child yet, den be goot and innocent as
a child should be, and do not try to I.
turn yourself into silly woman. Ach,
l know dem too well"'
Poor Nelly hurried into the car, her |
cheeks burning and her heart swelling |
with modification. Her eyes fell on !
the token-howerS she held, and with an /
impetuous movement she threw them /
out of the car-window. o, if she could /
only have cast her past folly with them. /
She felt that every word Herr Hern- /
sheim said was true, and she recalled /
the plying contempt she saw in his /
eyes, and heard in his voice. until she .
felt tempted to cry out aloud.
And for that fat. ugly man she had /
made such fool of herself. and got a
Notifying reprimand besides. When .
the car stopped. she was running up
into her own room, when her mother .
called he=r.
"You have hardly time to dress for
the opera. Nell. Do make haste. 1t is
Lucia di Lammermoor' again tonight
your favorite
Nelly lanrheh hrstnrica LIZ ,,.hnr sho