The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1888-02-17

ller. hrcaI neANtilS- Is lI4dl -lO yeSI
il is ~
His attention was attracted by an
elegantly dressed lady on the opposite
side of the street By her side was =
ragged little urchin, her halt-frozen
hands incased in Nellie's sea,skin null
and Nellie herself carrying the little girls /
burlen-a dirty oil-can and some salt
mackerel.
Louis Temple stood pctrified. Could !
that girl with the salt mackercl and oil
can be proud Nellie GraycrsOn Could !
that sad, sweet, smiling fa-e be the same /
face which looked so coldly on him two |
years ago for kindly cSCoTtIng RENE |
Stewart home? The face was the same,
ami vet il had undergone some marvellous /
change
lie stool and watched her until shn |
was out OF sight, and then with sigh
walked on.
The next night grand ball was to be
given, and hc ardenJly hoped once more
10 be near the girl lie still loved passion
ately-
Nellie heard of his return, and dressed
with unusual care that evening
Maybe i can win him back Oh,
God. how l have suffered for my foolish
Tie ball was at its height when Louis
CAUGHT sight of Jennie Lambert, and he
fastened up TO her.
"Oh Miss Jennie, You have not changed
y
gone. l would have known you any
where"
Il am delighted to find have not
been forgotten. l heard of your return,
and WAS IN hopes OF seeing you here to-
night"
louis spirits went down ten degrees.
Nellie had heard of his return then, AM
stayed away purposely-
''ilave YOU seen Nellie p" asked Jennie
Lambert watching the effect OF her words.
NO She is here somewhere. ch,
there she is, to the right, on Gus Burns
arm. How happy she looks, DO you
not think them happy couple -
swcetly.
Nelic's face was indeed illumed to-
night, but the happy light in the deep
blue eyes and the delicate flush on the
checks were not brought there by Gus
Burns.
She tried to appear interested with the
anecdOtc her companion WAS relating
but all the time she kept saying to her
self:
"Will he never come? oh, how l
long TO see him If he only gives me
chance to show him how have
changed"
Happy couplel" exclaimed Louis,
making bad attempt To appear uncon-
cerned. "Are-are they engaged -
Then looking 1T him reproIchiuliy:
Can you ask? DO not their faces tel
the tale ~
Louis Temple sroaned inwardlv. lie
forced a smile to his lips and turning to
Jennie, asked:
Are you engaged for this waltz l
should enjoy II 50 much ~
''~ue sIr.,l. no. ave the laugh on me nj
any rate - and he waltzed away gayly
with Jennie.
Nellie SAW the smiling face so near
JcnnIc's and sharp paug shot through
her heart.
She begged Of her companion to be ex-
cused. She must get somewhere by her
self.
At last she reached the conservatory,
and sinking down on bench in a quiet,
| secluded spot, she gave herself up TO
tears.
How long she had been there she
never could tell. At last she was startled
/ by a well-known voice exclaimIng:
Gus, l suppose you will except Z
| friends 5 congratulations"
| congratulations s?''-bewilderinSlv.
AYES, Gus upon your approaching
/ marriage with Nellie Grayerson.'
Marriage GrayersonI Tpon
| my word, Tom, you take ones breath
away. l am not going 70 be married"
Then going straight up to his friend
and looking him in the eyes:
'The-the fact is old boy, thought
| you all solid there. What ever came be-
I
fellow idolizei 4 girl, you did her"
Yes, Gus did love that girl. and II
am ashamed to confess it l love her
still. only"
'Only what :''-grasping his hand
| sympJIhcucally-
"Gn'y She did not love mo Gus" he
burst forth, 'if you value pcaco of mind,
never trust woman
"Poor fellow There goes the music.
| Lou, and / must go and hunt my partner.
| Will have n long talk with you to-
morrow and he hurrIes of, heartily
sorry for his friend.
Nellie leaned against the bench for
| support. He loved her still oh, II he
only knew. But no, 1t was impoSSbl
She could never tell him no, 4 thousand
times no! yet she would
IN an instant she stood before him. her
face flushing and pSling alternately and
the jewcled hanJs were clnching and
unclinching nervous'y.
She raised her eyes TO his beseeching-
ly, and again let them fall on her clasped
| hands.
"Grcat heavens, Nellie, why do YOU
look at me like that? you madden me.
Have you not made me suffer enough ,"
he asked in Il low hoarse voice.
Her lips quiyer piteOusly.
lie must have read something en-
courLging in the dOwncast face and
quivering lips, Tor he clasped the tall
figure in his arms.
MY darling, you did not mean what
you said two years ago, did you ," and
he looked at her earnestly.
NO 10, Louis. God knows how !
have repented, since having uttered
those heIrtless words. Can will you
ever for-iye me?"
For answer he kissed the pcnitcnt face
so near his own
As they entered the ballroom, a nalf
hour later, two pairs OF eyes noted the
beaming fac.
Gus was Jubilant. And Jennie Lamb
ert ground her white teeth together in
impotent rae, ana in her disappoint-
ment she hated her cousin more bitter
| than ever.