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

AOl NJ lu1l
hOur-nOon recess-they were compar-
atively alone, and were discussing a
subject of great apparent interest to one
of them at least.
80 girls. he was lovely last nightr'
cried pretty Nelly Bascombe, clasping
her hands and raising her eyes theat-
rically to the ceiling. "You know the
opera was Lucia Iii Lammermoor, and
he was Edqdrdo. In the last scene,
when he uttered the words, FRI peco q
me TecOrerO,' in that sOrrOwful, de-
liciOus voice of his, felt like kneeling
down at his feet and CRYING my ewes
out. But threw him a beautiful bou-
quet. all Cornelia Cook and Mareschal
Mel rosebuds, mixed with stephanotis,
and he looked up at our box with such
b heavenly Smile"'
''He sings very well" said Clara
Newell, coolly; but he's rather stout,
and [ think you would look rather fool
ish kneeling before him"
go, but then, you are not musical
enthusiast and full of intense sentiment,
like Nelly here, said Marcia Stanley,
with her provoking satirical smile ''Of
course he ) adorable and all that on the
stage, and as Nelly is not likely to see
him OFF it, perhaps she can cherish her
sentiment without harm to anybody"
Nelly colored to the roots of her hair
Marcias satirical speeches always
.rasped her, and there never had been
any love between them.
why can't see him off the stage,
if choose" she cried, angrily. III
wager two pairs of gloves that before
the end of this week | will speak to
Herr Hernsheim, and will bring proof
that | have done it, so that it cant be
disputed"
at will have to be very strong proof.
my dear" drawled Marcia, with her
aggravating laugh. You're not likely
to meet him at your mothers house.
and where then, oh where, my love?"
Never do you mind about where"
Nelly answered, angrily. PLEASE get
the gloves ready for me by next Sun
day"
Marcia laughed and sauntered out Of
the room.
"rm astonished, Nelly"' said her
friend Clara, when they were alone.
-'You allow that girl always to provoke
You into saying and doing imprndent
things. That's what she wants. But
this has been the worst of all. You
certainly did not mean what you said.
/ know you are rash and imprudent,
but you cant mean to seek an inter
view with an opera singer -
''But | certainly do mean it, Nelly
answered. Il like to do daring things,
and I'm not the coward you are. my
dear Lady Prude. Where's the harm
of exchanging few words with Herr
Hernsheim. I'd like to know"
If You spoke to the man when with
your parents. or at your father house.
there would be no harm; but he is not
likely to be invited there. Only think
of meeting a stranger, and an opera
singer, clandeStinely. and yOu a school
girl. too, Wht, Nelly; don't commit
such folly, and such al improper one,
besides
Il thought it was agreed was a very
improper girl Nelly said. with Il
mntinous smile on her pretty lips.
Then why do YOU throw the propri-
cites in my face? I'm going to win my
wager from that inSolent girl rs sure is
my name is Nelly BaScombe.'
And that insolent girl, as YOU call
her, will be re DICED to pay her WAGER
when she knows, or suspects, hDW you
have won it.
''Well, / don't know, nor you, either.
hOtC it is to be won. but where there's a
will, there's way, and I'll find the
way"
20 Nelly! Nelly" demonstrated
Clara,
And o Clara! Clara! don't make
mountain out of mole-hill. Just
trust me to take care of myself.
promise You I'll be Just rs particular
in every word | say Is if the whole
world heard me. its Just for a frOlic
after all. and I'm not going TO be
coward and back ont now
Clara sighed, but she knew her will
full friend too we'll TO say more at that
moment Nevertheless, in spite of
Nellv'S boasts, her friends words gave
her unpleasant feelings of uneaSineSS
She repeated TO herself that Clara was
prudish, and, brought up by an old
maid aunt had strained ideas of pro-
priety; but she knew in her secret soul
that the imprudencc she contemplated
was wrong. and would iniure her
greatly if ii became known.
But then her silly head was full of
the noble looks and magnificent voice
of the singer, and she thought how
romantic it would be if he should fall
a victim to her beauty, and address his
imprisoned songs from the stare to
her in the audience. In fact, there is |
no telling how many foolish, Senti- !
mental ideas passed through her mind. |
But how was she 10 win her wager? !
There was no possible chance at Water I
town Seminary. where the stricteSt I
surveillance was exercised over the I.
girls, for her to meet the singer. but
Nelly was to return home the following |!
Friday and remain until Monday morn /
ing. There she knew she could do as
she pleased.
Her mother was woman devoted to |
society, and beyond paving particular
attention to her daughters dress and /
manners, did not trouble herself about |
her moral training. She would have |
been very much shocked had she known |
of the act Nelly contemplated. because
it was an imprudence her world would 4
-censure. But what that world APP |
proved must be right and proper. A
friend of hers once demonstrated with !
her for taking Nelly to an opera in
which the moral tone was more than
80, l take her because it improves
her style of singing so much, and Sigs
nora Demont has such a charming,
sympathetic voice! l should not be
doing my duty to Nelly if 1 did not give