The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1884-09-13

ublIhCl was buts anu 81 lublb WAS uO
danger in their intimacy. 1t is true
she frequently went out with him, but
then she had done so since her child
hood, and why should she desist from
the pleasure now2 For it was a pleas
ure to be with Mr.. Werner, he was so
agreeable and so thoughtfully attentive
in eveTyway. No one had ever been so
kind to her. He had been her "Santa
Claus" ever since she could remember.
The purchase of nearly every book in
her possession could be traced to the
generosity of Mr.. Werner, and since
he was 80 considerate toward her, would
it not have been ungrateful if his advan-
ces had been wholly repulsed2 But,
demonstrated some, he pursued the same
artful course toward all his previous
lady friends, and broken hearts have
been the bitter result. If others had
suffered from his Inconsistency, they had
been the dupes of their own folly, she
would answer, They had no business
to fall in love with him, and since her
heart could not be attacked, no one
need feel any alarm. Nor was there
so much danger to be apprehended.
Nina was girl of admirable good
sense. She was thoroughly acquainted
with Mr.. Werner's disposition, and
knew how to act accordingly. She
knaur fhot ba asoc GrI1a on6 tbouub
his conduct toward her was more that
Of lover than that of friend, his
flattering attentions could create no
higher sentiments within her than that
of friendship. lie had always been a
good friend to her, ana in that light she
would continue to regard him.
The drive was very pleasant, and it
was with feeling of disappointment
that Nina saw the horses head turned
III the direction of home.
"The time has seemed so short" she
said with a half sigh.
"Would you like to go farther?"
81 should like it above all things, {"
was the eager reply.
"But it is not quite fair that should
go to all that trouble without some
slight reward, p" was the serio comic re-
joinder.
rs it necessary for me to pay in order
to obtain a favor?"
81 believe it Is customary for drivers
to receive reCompense from their pas
sengers.'
''How much do owe you?"
"a kiss"
II cannot afford to pay that" she
said, looking as serious as though an
immense sum had been demanded.
'Do you know, Nina, you have never
kissed me since you were a child"
kissing is only a childish indulg-
ence," she said with an expression OF
annoyance, and Struggling her shoulders,
''and am no longer child. Why"
she continued, artfully divertlng his
thoughts from their dangerous channel,
do you know now Cd [ ann"
''How could fail to know that when
have kept faithful record of all your
birthdays"
"That is true, but then you often
speak to me as though were only nine
instead of nineteen.
Nineteen, " he repeated, ''you will
have to think of matrimony now, or
you will be numbered amongst the spin
sters of Stanley"
81 do not at all shrink from such a
possibility. | am perfectly happy as
Nina Linden and feel no desire ia
change my state"
"But suppose somebody should wish
to share your happiness?"
"Then that person would be guilty
of robbery"
"Why2"
Because he would rob me of happl-
ness.r
Would it be misery to bind yourself
to another2"
"All bondage is misery"
"Nina, p" he said responsibility.
"Oh, Mr.. Werner, do not look so Sc
rlous, you frighten me-" she said, ''if
simply talking about matrimony re-
duces you to g grave parsonage, |
shudder to think what sad changes the
actual state will produce. "
"Oh, Nina, NinaV'