The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-05-02
by MUTUAL CONSENT.

There was no doubt that the Messengers
were fortunate in possessing so charming a
house as the Ness. II was built at the head |
Of a narrow valley shut in by two hills, and |
beyond the sloping lawn stretched a vile
expanse Of sea.
Mr.. and Mrs. Messenger were simple, un-
affected people, devoted to their children,
and TO Nancy, Mr.. Messengers young step |
sister. They treated her with kind Of rev. |
erental tenderness, chiefly due to the fact
that she was entirely dependent on them.
And, In her turn, Nancy filed the place of |
loving elder sister to the tribe Of little ones,
and Of friend-in-chief TO her gentle sister-in- |
law.
One sunny afternoon in early summer
Mrs. Messenger sat at the open bay-window Of
the drawing. room, reading. She was a
placid little lady, seldom ruled in mind or
temper, and her sweet face and soft blue
eyes we're pleasant to contemplate. The
door opened presently, and Nancy came in
rather slowly. Her expression was as sweet
and gentle as her sisters, but her great dark
eyes and firmly cut mouth and chin bore
evidence Of much greater strength and indi-
viduality Of character. She came over to the
window, and seated herself in a low basket
chair with an air Of constraint.
81 have bad letter from jim" she said.
"Yes saw |. on the hall table," replied
Mary, laying down her book. docs he say
when he Is coming ~
eyes; he came by the same steamer as the
letter. He will be here to morrow | sup
pose"
"Naucy rea'ly9',sasked Mary, looking al
most excited. "Are you not delightedf"
"I--I-have a confession to make" said
Nancy, nervously, looking out over the sea.
| az thought loved Jim when he went out to
India five years ago, but l was only seven
teen then, and did not realize what love
meant. We had known each other all our
lives, and mistook our friendship for love-"
"When did you make this terrible discov.
cry 2" asked Mary, in distress.
~ have felt II dimly for year or two, but
what made II all clear to me was Jim's last
letter, saying that he was coming home. 1t
filled me with dismay and fear. felt that
I simply could not meet him as his betrothed
wife, so wrote last mail, and asked him to
release me from my engagement"
"Aud what does he sayr Mary asked
anxiously.
"He is delighted" said Nancy brighten
ing. "He says that his feelings have
changed, too"
~ always think of you in the future as
his wife," sighed Mrs. Messenger, whose
mind was slow to welcome new ideas. care
you sure you are wise, dear 2"
"Quite sure" Nancy answered firmly.
"And you will break the news gently to Ned,
won't your Aud please get reconciled to the
arrangement soon. l feel SO deiightiuiiy airy
and free ~
"You never limited at any change before"
said Mary little reproachfully.
~ only knew 1t dimly, or might have
done," replied Nancy gently. "And since
wrote to him have been silent, to spare you
any anxiety. have felt 1t for the last three
years in writing TO him. Myletters have neve'
been from the present Nancy, but from
the Nancy as I could remember her at sew.
enteen. In fact, have been writing down
all the time to the level of his intelligence
as shown in his letters, and that level Il
painfully low. But, happily, you see. he il
as pleased to end our engagement as am. ,
"He would bs much more likely to objec
If he once saw you," said Mary frankly
'for these five years have done wonder
with you in every way"
"Oh, he is so boyish that he, will thinl
me strong minded, and therefore dislike me.
!, said Nancy, laughing. "And did sem
him my last photograph, You know"
"Did you send that hideous thing p
!, asked Mary in surprise.
"Well," confessed Nancy rather reluc
family, "I believe had some secret, uncon
J fessed hope that he would offer to break o.
the engagement If he once saw that hideou
caricature. But here comes Ned; shal
II leave you to explain things to him."
day or two later Nancy started for he
:. usual Afternoon walk along the cliffs. Sine
. she had been released from the engagement
which for some years past had been weigh
ing on her spirits she had been in stat
of exhilaration which surprised her. TIL
world seemed wholly beautiful life was a
unmixed blessing. sin and poverty wer
rarer than she had thought. Walkin
quickly along, absorbed in these pleasar
reflections, she did not hear footsteps benin
her, and was surprised at hearing herse
suddenly addressed. Looking up wit
startled eyes, she found young man gain
at her with puzzled, intent expression
his handsome face.
o "You are Nancy, are you not 7" he sal
doubtfully, holding out his hand.
"Why, Jim, is it really you p aske
Nancy, regarding him with surprise. "Ho
v you have grown When did you come
and how did you find me %
81 came two days ago." he said.' redder
ing slightly in irritation at her first words
@ Gather was anxious that should stay wit
him yesterday, but called at the Ness thi
afternoon, and Mrs Messenger told me whel
n l should find you"
"Let us go home now, aud then You ca
sea them ALL" she said, turning bacl
"You will hardly know the children: the
were such mites when you left"
81 certainly shall not, If they have altere
,. as much as you have done. scarcely kne
you," he said, looking down at her with il
r., tent grey eyes, AMI inwardly comparing tn
beautiful, graceful girl with the gauc
80. school girl of five years since.
~ am older" she said, her heart sinkil
o. strangely. "He might disguise the fact tn
~ he finds me disappointing failure" 81
H. thought rather bitterly.
"Of course We are no longer boy and girl
N he agreed. "But l hops We shall alwa
We be friends, Nancyf We have been that q
RS our lives, haven't we ~
"Yss, let us be friends" she said. A,
iy, thinking that he was eager to impress up
her that they were to be nothing more, 81
added, "And It was very wise to break
that childish engagement before you car
:, home, wasn't IT."
NJ "Y-yss," he said doubtfully; "oh, "
ss, Of course. Your feelings are naturally gu
M: changed, suppose, NancyS'
'oo Naturally" she said calmly, but thin
.p ing to herself that she was not so sure abo
80. that, after all.
"Naturally," he echoed, his eyes, no
ever, becoming a little clOuded. "rht
bOy-and-girl engagements never answer,
,,s thayf People develop 80 differently FRI
xS what one would expect. Judging from yo
We letters, I should have thought you ute
an different from what find you"
Mn "You are equally different from wha
ND should have expected you to be-" {
answered. "But let US put up with 81
ow other as We are; We need not see much
tile one another, you know"
They have just reached the gate lead
into the garden OF the Ness as she said IL
and unoonsciously she paused outside.
. took this, coupled with her last words, a
hint that he should go, and was more h
than he cared to own.
"GoOd afternoon" he said stifiiy, rails
81 his hat. "Your' suggestion Is brilli
~ one, and you need not fear that | 81
,n,s trouble you with my presence more of
than is necessary"
not "You are coming ini' she said, look
at him with panied, pleading eyes.
Hest THANK you, no." he said coldly.
have seen Mrs. Messenger and your brotf
and the children will Keep"
"Good bye" she said, turning in at