Milford chronicle., 1885-02-20
by all, standing as in the Virginia reel,
all singing and acting:


! put my ugly mug out,
give my ugly mug shake, shake, shake,
Aud turn myself about
John Grey walked home with the cou-
sin, and Nellie slipped the ribbon into
his hand at parting.
Love at first sight-there may not be
such a thing; but it certainly happens
that when two pure souls look through
each others eyes, the world is never
quite the same to either after that.
Mr.. Grey was different stamp Of man
from any Nellie had met before.
Unsuspicious Molly answered Nellie's
queries by giving her his history. His
father had died leaving his mother very
poor, and her son by untiring exertions
had paid his fathers debts and bought
a small farm where he lived, supporting
himself and mother.
"He is not very rich nor very stylish,
1 know, Nellie; but you must not laugh
at him, for think he is one of the best
men that ever lived; and so does father. I"
Laugh at him I guess not; but
Nellie thought of him a good deal. She
didn't care to have him see her in her
fashionable attire, knowing (wise little
head) that she would have much better
chance to get well acquainted with him
if he thought her the same little country
girl whose ribbon he had claimed, in
stead Of the kiss he had 90 courteously
refrained from taking.
When Nellie's elegant costumes ceased
to make their appearance, and her dainty
cambria morning dresses were kept on
ali day, and John Grey began to drop in
the parsonage siiting-room quite often
Molly began to scold.
"Nellie Munroe, You shan't hirt with
John Grey wouldn't care if it was
some men, but him-no, you must not p
--.IB3g;t MOlly's mouth was stopped with
a kiss, while Eeilis ssaid:.
'Now, Cousin Molly, don spell my
fun; promise you won't fiirt.
The parsonage sitting-room began to
become to John Grey heavenly place.
He often felt pang of remorse, as he
sat by his invalid mother, and felt her
society was no longer all in all to him.
Then his thoughts would wander
away, and he would picture to himself a
little figure, with brown curls, fitting
through the rooms, leaving tokens Of
her presence everywhere. Then he
would start up and take his hat, atfec-
tionately kissing his mother, and saying
he would be back soon.
And Nellie-her face no longer spark
led, but a soft light had come over it,
making her so beautiful, DR.. Munroe
sud:
"LItle niece, you should come to us
every summer. I can see an improve
ment every day"
"You saucy uncle ! So you think I
need improvement"
81 mean in health, child; you know
want TO send you back to brother Dick
as fat and rosy as my Molly"
Molly, growing wiser, saw the change,
too, and sighed to herself. She, too,
had liked John Grey; but she was too
sensible q girl to feel badly for what
could not be helped, and that sigh
ynangea into one of pity for Nellie; for
Molly knew NelIles Saaitay narents,
and their proud love for their beautiful
daughter.
But Nellie's father wrote her now to
''come home, she had been away long
enough;" aud that evening she walked
with John Grey down to the gate.
There, with the moonlight shining soft
ly down, she told him she was going
home the next day.
After pause, he said:
"Aliss Munroe, your visit here has
made this summer very pleasant to me,
and l am 10th our acquaintance should
cease. May I call on you, when you
have returned to your home ?"
That was all. Nellie felt her heart |
stop beating, and she stood silent for an
instant, and then drawing herself up,
she held out her hand.
Certainly, Mr., Grey. I should be |
most happy TO see you. Good-by."
"Ah, Nellie darling, not good-by, |
until l tell you something more"
And then the moon heard the ''old, |
old story" as sweet as when it was first
told in the bowers of Eden. Truly, |
comes back again at such times to |
lovers, and lasts to those that love faith
fully until they pass from life to the |
better Eden above.
81 shall come and get your parents
consent very soon. I hope that they will
not think have acted dishonorably in
gaining their daughters love when away
from them; but could not help it.
Then Nellie felt shock, as she
thought what might her father and
mother say. Her ardent feelings had
carried her willingly along but now,
Tor the first time, with dismay, she
thought of what she might be called on to
bear.
But youth is always hopeful, so she
said nothing to her lover of her fears.
"Yes, John, come as soon as you can.
shall want to see you very much.
Fake this to put with the ribbon" and
he took from her bosom a blush rose.
So they parted. When Nellie told her
lncle and cousin, DR.. Munroe laid his
,and gently on her head.
"Little niece, so you wish to be farm
RS bride You love q prince among
lis fellows Nellie. May God bless
'ou !"
Molly hugged her close. ''It will be
ovely to have you always near but,
What will your father say ?"
ooh, Molly, I dread to think But
Tohn loves me, and know all will come
ight."
Honestly, Nellie told all when she
cached home, and meekly bowed her
lead to the expected storm. 1t came.
,lr. Munroe paced up and down the
oom, while his wife wept and hid her
ace.
"And this is all my hopes for you have
ome to? You lose your heart to a
ountry boor as soon as you are asked
or it. Do you expect I'll receive such
man for my son ?"
Nellie crept to her mother,
"Oh, mamma, don't turn from me
ove him as you loved papa. "
"Nellie, your father was a gentleman.
"But you haven't sesn my john"
Her mother turned and kissed her,
81 know, Nellie, you would never love {
ne who was not worthy of you bnt you
aust not disobey your father.''
"Helen, go to your room. am dis
ppointed in you. Col When you re-
- .-c,r,. q.,I1-r nov,,a or,H ko1I mo onI