The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1891-07-30
NETTIE's LOVER.

minutes the bus for the city would
stop at the door. and already Nettie
Rowlands was helping her father with
his coat putting a stitch in a finger
of his glove, unfolding and tucking a
clean silk handkerchief into one OF
his pockets, and then, clothes-brush
in hand, walking round him to make
q general inspect on of his outward
man before he departed.
Mr.. Rowlands sighed the while. for
she was his only child. and he was
about TO lose her; nor did he feel that
he should gain a son by her marriage.
Nettie WAS going to make what the
world called good match. for Mar
maduke Oster'y was connected with
one of the richest of tho wholesale
houses in the city. and moved in what
he and his relatives considereu much
higher sphere than the Rowlands'. In
fact he had condescended Il little in
wooing Nettie for her prettiness and
vivacity, and if he Were sometimes in
clined to forget this. he was not allow
ed to do SO by his favorite sister Mrs.
Blenkinsop, who thought he might
and should have asp:rcd to an heiress
or peeress.
No, there would be no home for
quiet simple Mr.. Rowlands under the
of h ~ l,tt ,hai
set for him in cosy corner. where he
might puff away at his evening pipe,
while Nettie chartered to him or sung
her old songs. By the Osterly family
he was already made to understand
this. and he sighed again, loud enough
to reach Nettie's ear.
What is it, father? Headache.
toothache. or threatenings of gout?
All. l knew that would rouse you.
What a horror you have of that very
aristocratic complaint. If ever you do
have it-but are you really quite
well?"
Quite. my love; both able and
ready to do a good days business he
answered. forcing n smile, and trying
to appear more cheerful than he felt.
so give me kiss and let me be off.
BY the way. is there anything you
want done for you in the course of the
day?"
''Only this" and Nettie handed him
q small parcel; you said you would
have to make business call on Mr..
Blenkinsop as his cold keeps him in
doors"
Mr.. Rowland nodded assent.
Then give this to his lady, will
you? 1t is her birthday. so am bound
to be civil. l have painted an ivory
card-ca.c for her. Just say my kind
regards. etc. wilt you daddy dear?
Then l need not write. l feel like a
hypoc:ite when | pen pretty things to
a person | can't endure"
Mr.. Rowlands looked grave.
You are talking of MIR. Osterly's
own sister, Nettic
'.Ah! child. hope you haven't made
a mistake! Mr.. Ostorly is a very fine
gentleman, in an excellent position.
and able to give you everything your
heart could wish for; bat / fancy you
might have been happier, if poorer.
with Charlie Wiliett. He's neither SO
handsome nor so rich. but rs good and
sensible young fellow as ever
breathed, and he loved you dearly,
Nettte"
Here the speakers mouth was stop
ped with kiss and an impatient re-
tort:
.'That'll do, daddy. It's too late to
talk OF Charlie Willett's good qualities.
I've made my choice and mean to
abide by it. When | come into the
city in my carriage to fetch my dear
father, or You. see me dressed like a
princess, giving grand entertainments
and wearing satin gowns and diamond
necklaces, won't you be better pleased
than if I married needy clerk. wore
shabby clothes, AMI lived in suburban
lodgings?"
No" said Mr. Rowlands. stoutly.
Your sainted mother and l spent the
happiest years OF our married life in
two rooms. and on salary of-5ut
there comes the bus. Anything else
can l do for you?'
NO, thanks; but, yes"-and Nettle
snatched up a yellow-covered volume.
and wrapped it in paper. this book
you bought me at the bOokstall, yes
terday, turns out to be one those
odious mawkish society novels; do ask
the clerk to chan e it for one of
Christie Murray's or Grant Aliens"
By this time the bus was being
pulled up at the garden gate and Mr..
ROlands FASTENED of to climb into it
and he hurried away to his daily avo-
cations in Il merchants Office.
These he Faithfully performed, for
he was one of the most conscientious
of men, never defr;luding his employ
ers of minute of the time he consid-
cred due to them.
His call on Mr.. Bienkinsop was
made in the hour allotted to him for
luncheon. biscuit nibbled as he went
heartier meal.
He was late home that evening, for
on leaving the Office he met Charlie
Willett the would-be suitor, whom
Nettie had rejected for Mr.. Marina
duke Osterly.
So the younger man walked with the
elder one to his own door, listening.
or appearing to lis en-. to his remarks
with respectful attention. and only
saying goodbye when Nettie herself
appeared a: The window, tapping on
one OF the panes to hasten her fathers
tardy movements.
1t was not like her to be so impa-
tent but Mr.. Rolands noticed that
his daughter appeared to be laboring
under great excitement.
Did you do my errand to Mrs.
Blenkifsop this morniHg?"
Yes; at luncheon time. / met her
on the stairs as | was being shown up
to her husbands room. Poor man!
he is not well enough to leave it.
land you gave her my little birth
day gift and message?"
kind regards, wasn't it TO be? Yes,
/ said something of the sort, i know,
replied Mr.. Rowlands.
And was she civil-quite civil to
yoa?'
More than civil, my love, for when
j WIS going away she came into the
H.. to bid me tell you she would never
forget your delicate attention, and that
YOU slou hear from her in the course
a =,