St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1886-09-04
WAITING FOR THE MAIL.

If there was one thing more than another
that tried-aImost beyond endurance
usually amiable temper of NellieHampstead,
it was the provokingly Ieisurely manner in
which Jake Mason, her fathers 'hired
boy" usually returned from the village
postoffice when dispatched for the mail.
And this night, of all others, his dilatori-
ness was doubly exasperating. for she was
so sure that among the letters slowed away,
i'll his pockets was one from Phil Ludlow;
and this same Phil Ludlow had been her
most devoted cavalier and ardent admirer
during the summer just past and at the
last her most tender lover, and on Nellie's
fair hand handsome diamond ring had
been for several weeks the outward sign
OF a compact very agreeable to the inter-
ested parties.
But unfortunately other men besides Phil
thought Nellie very attractive young lady
and were not backward in showing their
admiration; and as all pretty girls are prone
to coquetry and most ardent lovers to
jealousy, it was nothing strange that the
clear sky OF their young love had an oc-
casonal cloud floating over it; and at last,
few days before the cloud had developed
into sharp thunderstorm-a few angry
words, some lightning glances-and Phil
had returned to his city home in jealous rage
and Nellie had finished up the smile of
thunderstorm by floods of angry tears.
A little reflection had cooled her anger,
and she would only too gladly have well
coined back her jealous lover even without
the formality of an apology, but pride would
not permit her to make the first advances,
so she waited day after day for some line
from Phil, hoping each morning it would
come before eve. and bathing her pillow
in tears every night in her bitter disappoint-
ment.
The foolish quarrel had stolen all the
roses from her cheeks and huShed the sweet
song and merry laughter which had filled
the old home with music. and good old Dr..
Hampstead had worried himself into be-
lieving that some serious disease was prey
ing upon his little sOng-bird. At last, half
suspecting the cause, he tried in his good
natured way to gain from her some infor-
nation concerning the trouble; but Nellie
was too proud to admit even to her kind
old father that it was on Phirs account that
she had lost all her usual gayety.
So there she sat at her chamber window,
on that pleasant September afternoon.
watching for the first appearance of Jake
with the mail, hoping. believing that this
day would surely bring the long-looked-for
letter from Phil.
The moments dragged on: an hour had
passed, then another hour, and still no Jake
III sight, in the long waiting hope grew less
and less, until at last, in very despair. she
laid her head on the low sill and let the
ng-pent-up-tears have full course.
Nellie! Nellie! What are you doing up
IL Il oL~2
at that moment from the hall below.
Nothing, father, only waiting for the
MAIL" answered Nellie, checking her tears
and trying to speak in steady tone.
''Oh! if that's all come down here; the
mail has come"
Nellie waited for no second bidding, but
wiping her eyes hastily, ran down the stairs,
calling out before she had half reached the
bottom:
Anything for me?"
Yes, there in the parlor," answered the
doctor, with sly laugh, as he passed out
on to the back piazza.
Nellie never stopped to notice the laugh,
but hurried into the parlOr, and in her haste
ran directly into the arms of fine-looking
young fellow with blonde mustache, who
had risen from the sofa at her approach, but
in her hasty entrance.
The scream of surprise which rose to her
lips was half smothered by the kisses
pressed fervently upon them.
''0h, Nellie, my darlingl Can you for
give me for being such a mean, jealous
wretch? 1t was all my faultE Phil whis-
pered between the kisses.
mo, it wasn't, DEAR" Nellie said, gener-
ously. II did firt just little bit, but l
never, never will again, so long as livew
And tears-this time of joy-brimmed up
to her eyes again.
A half-hour later the doctor found them
laughing and chatting as merrily as if such
things as lovers quarrels were unknown.
''Found the mail, Ell. Nellie?" was the
doctors laughing query.
Nellie quickly withdrew from Phil's en-
circling arm, bluShing roSily.
mo, father; where is it?" she asked.
''There is all the male I've SEEM" point
ing at Phil. Then adding, with another
laugh, as he left the room: Judging by
appearances, my little Nellie, it's the right
one."
Evidently Nellie thought so, too, for the
letters that came for her at last, when
tardy Jake put in an appearance, lay unno-
ticed on the table until next morning when
Phil left next day it was with the promise
that in month he might return and claim
his bride.