The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1889-12-12
SHE DID NOT MEAN IT.

''NIarry you? Not on any considera-
ton. Why, Mr. mean John, of course
not
Such was the disconnected reply,
which blue-eyed Nellie Loring gave to
Jchn HartweIls request that she would
be his wife. He, looking gravcly at her,
answered
: 'sBut am very rich and can surround
you with every comfort. More than that,
l can help your father out of his troubles
and can put your brothers in the way of
getting good start in life. More than
that, and most of all, Itell you for the
hundredth time, Nellie, that love
you"
The girl grew pale, and, for amoment,
seemed to falter. Then her lips became
set, and, returning his glance with one
no less steady than his own, she said
"You tempt me sorely, John, but 1
must not yield"
"Tell me one thing" he pleaded.
"Doy you love me?'
Her cheeks grew painfully red, then
whittier than before. With nervous
grasp, she caught the gate by which
they stood, and trembled visibly as she
spoke in tone scarcely above whisper:
"No, l do not"
He regarded her for moment in
amazed silence: then, lifting his hat,
turned away. He seemed as he did so to try
to say "good-bve," and she herself made
an effort to speak q word of farewell ;
but the rising tears choked her utterance,
and sadly and silently she walked up the
garden path to the door of her home.
Once within that friendly shelter, she
fastened to her chamber, and, throwing 9
herself across the bed, let the tears flow
freely.
"Love him-love him." she moaned.
ooh, John, l would die to make you
happy. Oh, why do things go so wrong?"
And with weeping and self-reproaches
she spent the long summer evening.
Meanwhile John had gone to his hotel,
paid his bill, and taken the first train to
the city.
The story of the events which had led
up to the scene just described, was not a
long one.
Nellie Loring was farmers daughter.
She was yet young, being scarcely twenty
was pretty, piquant, and although quite
lacking in rcpose of manner, was Iowa
bic specimen of country bred girl. Her
father was the owner of a fine farm but
recent losses had greatly embarrassed him,
and he was not a little troubled about
Nellic's future and that of her two younger
brothers, neither of whom were fitted
physically, for farm life.
John Hartwell was young man of
twenty-five, tall and fine looking, some
what grave and dignifed in manner, but
frank, manly and simple in his tastes and
habits. He was very wealthy, although
his style OF living would not have led Il
casual observer to that conclusion. While
vet lad, he had been impressed with
the poverty and misery Of the great city
in which was his home, and was full of
plans to alleviate them. In pursuance OF
these he had come to the pretty village
near which the Lorings lived, and having
met Nellie, had speedily lost his heart.
In the hope of winning her, he had pro
longed his stay to a much greater length
than he had intended.
As for Nellie, she was at first awed by
the grave and handsome young stranger;
then had grown to feel a happy security
in his presence, and had ended by return
ing his affection with the whole strength
of her nature. Her native modcsty
taught her to keep Il watch upon hcl
tongue, and she had answered her lovers
protestations of esteem sometimes with
pleasant bantering, but oftener only by
happy glance.
II will wait until he asks me to be his
WIFE" she would tell her heart, whcl
its quick beating almost forced th'
words: II love you" from her lips
land tell him then what he is to me.
1t happened one day, as she sat in he1
fayorite seat beside the river, that two
ladies from the city, who were standing
rear, but not in sight, began to speak O
her lover, and for the first time, sh'
learned of his great wealth, his high po
sition in society, and his plans which
were already the talk of the circle ii
which he moved.