The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1884-04-02
turn, but we shall probably meet linn before

going fur"
They did meet him, just as the wide,
gaslit entrance, but his wondronsly hand
some face was deeply flushed aud his walk
was quite unsteady.
Hello, Ned, old boy" he exclaimed,
with an ELUSIVE familiarity quite unusual
coward his old-time rival Taling good
sare Of my wife, ehG Well, that's all right.
Knew Nina'd be all right, anyhow, SO didn't
hurry myself. Much 'bliged, Tn sure. Dc
the same for you, sometime. To, ia %
With few gracefully chosen words, Sar-
gent had resigned his lovely charge TO her
half-inebriated husband and turned to leave
them, but not before Nina's quick, mortified
glance had caught the CLEAN of pity and
disgust on his fair, expressive face.
That was the beginning of Nina's trials, so
ar as they were known to any save herself,
but the rest followed swiftly. From bad to
worse Godfrey Russell went, until, at last,
four yeass aftas his marriage, he met his
death at the hands of jealous husband.
Unable to face her shame and sorrow in
the midst of her old friends and aequaint-
ances, Nina took her little daughter and
went away, and for several years nothing
more was heard of her. Yes, Sargent still re-
manned unmarried because Of the woman
he had loved and lost. &
Eagle, sira Please buy an Eagle !"
And a pair Of dark, luminous eyes looking
,leadinsly up into Ned sargents face a.
most took his breath away.
1t was nearly six o'clock one cold, wiAtry
afternoon, and Ned Sargent who had been
belated in Brooklyn transacting some
tedious business, was hurrying to catch a
certain boat and reach home in time for
Inner, when the piaintiye cry of the SILVER
ng little news-girl stopped him.
| Please buy an Eagle! !"
l. What is your name, child ?" he asked,
so sharply that the little creature started in
alright.
Nina, sir" she answered. after one
quick hook into the geh.leman's handsome
iace had reassured her.
:" Nina what ?n
But the tiny news-girl shut her little blue
| lips anu SHOOK uef Small mead.
q Mamma says mustn't tell, " she answer
I'd resolutely.
But the voice. those great dark eyes, and
the simple name she had given told him
enough.
q You are Nina Russell" he said to her
N tone that admitted of no argument,
T. want you to take me to your mann,
ma, quick-this instant Never mind
your papers, he added, taking the whole
bundle from her arms and presenting them
to an astonished newsboy just going by.
The child obeyed with queer feeling
that this handsome, blue-eyed stranger knew
| Ill about her, aud would find her mother
with or without her help. So she quietly
ied the way to their humble home.
Mrs. Russell had entered inst before them,
having returned at six O'Clock from her
lays work as a seamstress and was setting
he table for their scanty evening meal.
She looked up with startled and some.
what naughty expression rs her little girl
entered, followed by tall and elegantly
dressed gentleman.
Nina" she exclaimed, reproachingly.
Then recognizing her visitor, she gave o
little cry of surprise and CONSERVATION and
mnk into chair, burying her shame-Hushed
lace in her hands.
" Mrs Russell Nina !" cried Sargent,
fastening to her side. Don't be distress
oil or offended at my coming here, implore
YOU If you only knew how / have longed,
/ an A.. 81. -
face
Nina raised her bowed head, anl met his
earnest eyes with sad smile of mocking
unbelief.
My sweet face" she ecboe |, With a
kind of sorrowful satire. Oh, Eal Str
,ent, do You come here TO MOCK ins Wit,
memories Of the past or is il possible yod
do not sec the change these years, with all
their suffering, have made ~
He did, indeed, see how thin AMI white
were the once dimpled cheeks, how wasted
was the once rounded, perfect form. But
there was the old witchery in ths lovely lips
and in the large dark eyes, not 50 sparkling
as they once were, but far more winning in
their gentle sadness. And she was the wo.
man he had always loved was enough.
:" You always were, and always will be
beautiful to me, Nina" he said, softly, talk
ing her hands in his. And ! came here
to offer you my love, myself, and all that I
possess. Don't send me away again, for I
have been unhappy long enough"
There was long, long talk before Nina
could overcome her shrinking sensitiveness,
engendered by her years of poverty and
trouble, but in the end Neds love conquer
ed.
Then, as he declared his intention of
spending the evening with that little family,
petite, dark-eyed Nina was sent out TO pur-
chase various delicaeies to add to their
scanty store. And when the three sat down
together to the cozy tea-table Ned Sargent
protested that il was the most delightful
supper to which he had ever been invited,
for he had WOE, at last, the only woman he
had ever loved.
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