Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1886-04-22
that, said Harry, with something OF

tai and founding public library"
the young man declared.
But Nettie only frowned.
"Tm to conclude, then" Harry went
on, musingly, chat it's because I've
too much money. Surprising make
it all over to you. Then I'll be O
pauper and it Will be charity in you
to marry me-"
Nettie regarded him sharply. She
was not quite sure as to whether or
not he were making light of the sub
| ject.
Yours is view of the subject
which / had never considered, I"
Harry continued, with much gravity.
at would be wrong, then, for mill.
| ionaire-with fortune equal to twice
| yours and mine together-to marry at
ALP"
Nettie turned to the door She was
no longer in doubt as to whether he
were making fun of her; and she
stepped past him frigidly.
Don't go!" said the young man,
with repentant fervor.
81 shall not remain here" said Net
tie, severely, "to listen to Jokes upon
serious subject-a subject, moreover,
upon which my mind is fully made
up!"
She swept through the door and up
the stairs. The young man stood for
moment staring after her helplessly;
but ended by going back to his din
ner.
"1've seen him in the parlor," Nettie
announced, when her cousin joined
her in their room little later, land
don't think he'll trouble me again"
Alice took the dish of "frozen pud-
ding" from the waiter who had follow
ed her, and passed it in resigned ST.
lence.
T've brought you some cream"
she said, "but you don't deserve it.
Such dear fellow!-almost as nice as
Dwight. l can't understand it with
all your ridiculous explanations.
Money! Why, Pm sure Inever should
have refused Dwight on account OF
his money; / think it an additional
advantage. OF courseyou won't con-
TESS it; but you've got your queer no
tons out of some absurd novel or
other, Nettie Avery haven't the
slightest patience with you!'
"You don't understand" said Net
tie, regarding her cousin with an ex-
preston such as John Rogers might
have worn at the stake.
Indeed | do not?" said Alice, en-
phaticaly.
Nettie's prophesy proved true. Mr..
Miller did not trouble her again. He
bowed to her with great politeness
three times day across a dozen in
tervening tables, but he did not again
send up his card nor in any way at
tempt another interview.
"Do reconsider it Nettie," Alice inn
plored, when this had gone on forfour
days. "Papa is talking of taking us
on to Boston for month or so.
This is your last chance"
"Chance." echoed Nettie, indignant
ly-"chance! Chance to lose all my
principles, all my independence; to
sink into u cold-hearted monster, a
selfish, purse proud creature, a mere
lay figure Tor fine clothesW
THAT would be dreadfull" Alice re-
sponded, with wicked glance at Net
ties charming Notwithstanding
you will never understand" said
Nettie, with forbearing meekness.
poor Harry" said Alice, compass
sionately. 'Td marry him myself il
Dwight weren't on the point OF drag
cling me down to the dreadful level you
mention. Only it isn't me he cares
for"
Alice, returning from solitary walk,
flourished two matinee tickets in her
cousin face.
We've only time to lunch and get
ready" she said.
They had hardly time for that, for
when they took their seats at the the
alter, the first act was well under way.
1t was light comedy-a combina-
ton of catching songs and mild humor.
Nettie was not deeply attentive.
She folded her play bill into compli-
Gated shapes, and regarded the aero
batic hero ahsent-mindedly.
Perhaps it was this distraction
that caused her, during the intermis-
sion, while Alice was industriously
studying the synopsis OF the second
act, to listen more intently to the
conversation of two gentlemen di-
rectly behind her, or perhaps it was
the word miller" which she caught.
young Miller, you KNOWN the
iron business" the speaker contin-
ued "He's lost every cent he had;
no small amount, either. Bad Job"
Nettie felt her heart humping.
young Miller, and in the iron bust
ness!" Harry was in the iron bust
ness-it was Harry they were talking
about.
A sudden rush of pity and commits
took the place o. the determined in
difference with which she had hither-
to regarded the young man.
He was in trouble. She felt strong
impulse to 90 to him, and sympathize,
condoe-she hardly knew what.
But she obeyed the impulse, as she
was wont to do. She tossed her opera
glass into it's red plush bag.
"I'm going" she said to her cousin
mo, no, you needn't come; I'm per.
fectly WE'LL"
! And she whisked up the aisle before
Alice could demonstrate,
At the entrance of the hotel she was
selzed with nervous indecision.
What should she do? Should she send
boy to summon him? or write him q
note? Or
That point was settled by the ap
pearance of Mr.. Miller himself, button
ing his pale-hued fall overcoat as he
stepped briskly into the street.
He bowed pleasantly, and looked
considerably astonished as Nettie
placed an impetuous hand on his arm
and turned him back.
81 am so sorry for you, Mr.. Miller,
she began, gently, as he closed the par
lor door behind them. 81 have heard
about it, and l came right of that