Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-02-14
HEARTS VS.. DIAMONDS.
BY MERTON ]. MERRIvALE.

III MhhiONN u
"Three days to think of it~ unused
Nellie Claymore, walking up and down
the narrow strip of grass that skirted
the doctors compact little dwelling.
"Three days before the garden party,
and then / shall have to decide whether
shall be mistress of all Oakleigh or the
wife of a surgeon in one of the poorest
practices in New York"
Seeing her so charming in her brown
Holland dress and ample garden hat,
with her golden hair rippling in the
sunshine, little cause for wonder that
the heir of haifthe surrounding county
had lost his heart to her so far as to en-
treat her to become the lady of Oakleigh
Hall. u s---t. S...t
The offer was a very fiattering and
tempting one to Nellie, and she was too
much .of woman to refuse the oIer at
once inst because she did not love him.
So three DAYS had she taken to consider
his proposal, and in the library Of Oak
leigh Hall on his twenty. first birthday
. had agreed 10 give him her final answer.
"Three days to think of what, Miss
Claymore?" exclaimed voice from the
surgery window. and looking up Nellie
saw with some embarrassment that the
first part of her sentence had been heard
by the studious young surgeon who was
taking brief holiday meath the doctors
roof previous 10 taking practice in the
upper wards OF New York.
His face was sad one, too much SO to
be deemed handsome, but he was inter
esting looking.
''lndeed, Mr.. Verney, ] had no idea l
was speaking my thoughts, and still less
thai You were within hearing" replied
Nellie, coming to the easement, about
which the roses twined SO lovingly.
Nellie" said he, 81 was thinking how
sorry shall be to leave this place for
the city and change this rose-covered
cottage for dingy apartment in dirty
street." f.y.I lH ..
Must you go, -yet7 You have only
been here two months"
81 must, or Lshal not have . penny
to start with. Besides, l am getting
every day less Inclined to work. Pleas.
ure is enervating; il seems to sap all my
energy:n ....-.. .r
Papa will miss you very much, and
so shall |. But you viii soon be well
known in the big world, and though you
must work through poverty you must
not mind"
"lf ] bad you to talk to me think
shoul6be the first in the country before
the year is out" he sald. with flush Of
hope mounting to his earnest face, that
made the dark lashes droop over Nellie's
eyes, while decided fiutter about hel
heart warned her that they were nov
approaching an interesting crisis.
"Nellic, Nellie, where are you? hav,
been looking for you all day" cried tn,
owner OF rather cur GUS, fussy -lookin,
head which appeared at the upper win
dow.
"Here, papa~ answered Nellie, Will,
her companion hastily withdrew from
the easement. 7r IA rT
Have you written out those prescrip
tons yet? No? Well, l cannot get yo,
to do little thing to help me, and 20,
know all my patients at Moorville &c
sick together. Will you TO them now
child, you intend to at all? l must b
off. 3 What shall do when Mr.. Verne,
goes don't know, although he is genel
ally thinking Of something else when
am talkiIg TO him." DR.. Ciaymoie con
tinued, ,ming down to The hall, wher
Nellie was waiting to give him his hat
Now Get my staff"-he always calle
1T staf-'and run for my gloves.
know those two wigby girls win be dea
by this time" and be stamped up an
down the hall in fever of impatience
There! goodbye and don't bother m,
with your kisses; have never time 70
anything but work. II you don't &c
those done by the time ! return yo
asii not 90 TO the fete" -
after that threat III doit. Good-by,
dea'. ana be home as soon as you can,
answere" Nslie, attending him to tn
gate. u u
Goodbye. Tell Mr.. verney that
shallexpeet him to come this afternoo
ior few hours fishing up stream. An