Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1885-01-05
WILL SHE MARRY?

There were only seven of US, all
girls. in the dear old parsonage at
Wrayburn. where papa had lived for
thirty years. Under the daisies in the
pretty country churchyard de- mamma
had slept since Kate was a wee baby,
and Aunt Jane had come to care for
the motherless children of her brother
as soon as the calamity fell upon him.
We are a rosy-cheeked, healthy set
of girls, rather good-looking, Nell be-
ing our beauty, and the only invalid.
| am a cripple. but l am not going to
bother YOU with my story, excepting
as my observations are recorded.
1t was in the spring, and my sisters
and Aunt Jane were very busy with
housework. was in my room knit
ting; papa was wandering about, dis
consulate at the invasion of his study,
and consequent interruption of his lit
erary work, when the murmur of voices
from the porch floated up to me, and l
mentally exclaimed
Dear me! Chris is proposing to Nell
again"
"And nobody ever will, or ever can
love you as l do" Chris was saying.
Then Nelrs voice struck in,-
There. that window fairly dazzles
you! Who says can't clean glass?
Oh, l beg your pardon, Chris. No. of
courser'
.But, Nell, do listen to me!'
"Chris, did you ask me to marry you
when l was in my cradle? l am sure
you have asked me once a week ever
since. won't you know, or ought to
know, by this time. Why can't you
ask somebody else, just for variety? l
am sure any of the other girls will make
q much better wife than l will; that
is" said Nell, with a sudden spasm of
loyalty for the rest of us, IF any of
them would take you"
..How can l care for anyone else
when my whole heart has been yours
all my life?" said Chris, disconsolately.
1T is cruel to trife SO with true and
honest love"
Don't be an idotw said Nell, sharp
ly. Il told you that you were a hor-
rid boy, and would never marry you,
when you used to steal apples to pre-
sent to me, and l never, never told you
anything else, did L?
"No," sighed Chris.
Then why don't you let me alone'"
Here Aunt Jane, her head tied up in
q manner that deties description, came
upon the scene, SAYING
"Oh. here's Chris. Chris, do run over
to Smiths and get me paper of car
pet tacks!'
Chris departed.
Presently Smiths boy brought the
carpet tacks, and Nell was let alone
for the remainder of that day, as far as
Chris was concerned. The next dav
the cleaning went forward briskly. but
it was still early in the morning when
Nell came to my room equipped for
walk.
Amy letters?" she asked carelessly.
Il am going down the street"
"None," said; II did not think you
could be spared"
"Aunt Jane is rather grumpy about
It," said Nell, adjusting a coquettish
wreath of apple-blossoms upon her hat;
'but / want to get the smell of soap
suds out of my nose. l may stop a.
Gilmore's; have you any message"
'.Only my love to Mrs. Gilmore"
Now, Mrs. Gilmore was the mother
of Nelrs persistent adorer, Christopher
Nelson Gilmore, and the families had
been intimate for years. Still, for Nell
to take the middle of house-cleaning
week to call on Mrs. Gilmore was lit
tie out Of order.
She fitted away, her sunny curls
in the soft May breeze, and l,
putting two and two together. remem-
bered that Chris had not been in the
house for twenty-four hours. Vainly
tried to recall similar interval when
he was in Wrayburn. School, college,
business had called him out of the vii
lage. but his home hours were always
fairly divided between his mothers
house and ours.
Something must be the matter! l
thought of all possible and impossible
till was not surprised to
see Nell coming in at the gate in sub
dued frame Of mind, apparent upon her
pretty face. She came directly to me,
IS they all do, even Aunt Jane and
papa, in emergencies.
Belle" she said, in low, grave
Tone. "Chris has gone to Cape Town"
''Gone"' cried. why. he was here
HE went to London yesterday after
aoOn. and be has zone to visit his Qncla