The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1884-07-08

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scious of the fact, masculine observers
They had seen not only that she wa
lovely, but after that piquant fashion
which depends much On expression anG
keeps you busy studying it.
She sang sweetly, played well, con
versed delightfully."-, had keen eye and I
soft touch; grew on you, in short
strengthened her hold upon you day BY
day.
One thing, however, puzzled me-ar
unusual languor, almost timidity, in Mel
lie and Otto Winstanley's almost incom
prehensible conduct.
He had joined in some of the conversa
tion anticipatory of her arrival, and wher
she was presented there was start and
sudden paleness on Nelie's part and 8
sudden dark upleaping OF color and feel
ing to his face, as he muttered something
about previous acquaintance.
l think no one else observed this, OF
the fact that his indolent Irritation with
Belle glowed with sudden and unaccount
able ardor since Nellie's arrival. Perhaps
also, no one else remarked that he Ger
tainly treated Miss Middleton with down
right rudeness and neglect, or thought 10
ask themselves if a man vas apt to be
rude and neglectful towards . sweet and
winning girl to whom he was perfectly
Indifferent.
But be that as it might, two slow
weeks went, and | saw no more clearly
into the mystery than had done at first.
But one evening Nellie came and sat
down beside me in the twilight.
She sat very still, looked even pAler
than usual, and l caught myself pitying
her, but at loss how to manifest it. | re-
mained silent.
Presently she heaved 3 little Sigh,
which gave me an excuse for asking what
was the matter.
"Oh, nothing; only l arm tired-not
physically, but mentally This i. very
unsatisfactory life. Don't you think SO -
THAT depends"
"Well, have found it 40 The only
things that are worth having are out of
ones reach Walls of paper, barriers Of
air, separate more indissolubly than brass
and adamant. Energy can conquer mat
ter, but what human will is strong
enough to do battle with pride and preju-
dice? 2"
lou are right in general, but | don't
know how you would apply all this"
Il believe have not applied it,"
8 beg your pardon ~
After that we were silent, till Otto
strolled in, and, giving ME a brief nod,
sat down and began playing with Jup,
the terrier. Having vague idea that
Nellie might be inclined to be more spe-
citic with him than me, made Mrs Polly
do some one a good turn, for one of the
few times in her life, and getting up
fiction about being wanted, left them
alone. What afterwards occurred have
from the best authority herself
They sat in the fast-growing twilight,
memories busy at the heart of each; pride
struggling with a feeling that during
those weeks had fast been growing too
strong for it, Nellie, with bowed head
and swimming eyes; Otto watching her,
with face sottening in spite of himself
Suddenly Nellie rose with an air of
desperation, and brushing past Otto, went
over to the piano.
As she reached it something rang out
sharplv-a click, as of something metallic
that had struck on the marble hearth.
Nellie exclaimed. Otto stopped to
pick up something that had shone in tho
red freight just at his feet She moved
forward, as if to prevent him; stood then,
az if parslyzed, az he held up a ring
simple little thing-only plain gold cir
clet, bearing some words engraved upon
it, hanging from a chain attached to a
hook, like watch guard.
Otto looked alternately at it and Mel
lie, who stood by him, crimson and speech
less
"You have kept this all this time,
Nellie?"
Nellie was silent.
"Why did you keep t?"
81 wanted something to wear on the
chain, and don't carry my watch"
ooh! | thought perhaps you cared
something for it, after all ~
"You thought differently when we
were last together"
81 had reason"
"That is your assertion"
"Answer, then. l ask you to Judge
yourself. Had l not reason? Would
not any man have been justified in being
incensed and outraged at your conduct ?"
| was very young, very thoughtless.
| never dreamed that you really cared.
1t was pleasant to talk and fret, and l
liked to vex you for the pleasure of the
reconcilement."
A strange pleasure, that was pleased
with the pain it inflicted on what it loved
the best. A strange thoughtlessness, that
permitted me no freedom, but claimed an
unbounded liberty for yourself"
"You have said all those things once"
returned Nellie, with some dignity
"And it was painful enough to hear them
once"
al had no intention of reproaching
you," answered Otto, "tor out of the bit
terness of nv heart my mouth spoke. 1t
is so miserable to look at you and think
what might have been, and know now we
are hopelesslv separated"
"Otto," said Nellie, timidly, "don't
you think we might be friendsr You
need not treat me quite as an enemy. If
you have suffered, 30 do /; and you can
not think what pain it is to ace the eyes
that once were my light look 40 coldly on
me- 1t makes me wretched. Let US, at
least, be friends"
Otto looked at her earnestly, took her
hand and drew her toward him. Half
unconsciously she sank down on the little
stool at his feet, her head close to his
hand, that, following its old habitude,
began to stroke the soft, bright hair.
Presently
Ono" said Otto firmly. "we can
never be friends"