The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1891-05-20

stood by the window moment He did
not look out, however; his eyes we're fixed
on the lace of the girl, who was bending
over her father. The incidents of the
night seemed to have brought out the lat
ent force of her character. She was no
longer a volatile, effervescent girl, but a
serious, tender woman, with q marvellous
self-command and acute perception. But
Elson saw that the strain had told on her.
Her face was very white and there were
dark rings under her eyes. He walked
over to her.
"Miss Nellie"
"What is it?" she said, looking up.
81 wish to say a word to you"
She arose and moved away from the
side of her father.
"You need rest" said Elson.
'Is that ali ?" said Nellie, turning back
toward the bed.
"No, that is not all, said Elson, kindly,
but firmly; 81 wish you to lie down on
that sofa | will sit beside your father,
and If he wants you will call you"
"But do not wish TO leave him."
"You must remember that this will be
long spell of nursing. You must hus-
band your strength"
She reflected moment and then said:
II think you are right.
She went and lay down on the sofa.
Elson turned down the gas and seated
himself beside the wounded man.
81 have influenced Miss Nellie to lie
down." he said; she must not overwork
herself"
The girls father gave him a grateful
look. For few minutes all was silence
Then Elson fancied he heard sound as of
suppressed sObbing He went over to the
sofa. The girl was lying quite still, with
her eyes closed, but her cheeks were wet
with tears. When Elson stopped unde-
cided, she opened her eyes and whis-
pered:
did you hear me?"
eyes"
"Do you think he did,"
NO
Every well, then. Go back to him and
don't mind me-"
Elson had choking sensation in his
throat, and great feeling of reverence
for the girl swept through him. He re-
turned TO his seat by the bedside and
bowed his head on his hands.
A week later the young lawyer returned
to the city. Mr.. Breeze had improved so
much that the young man was no longer
needed as a nurse, and he felt that his
pACcOlACC III buC llOuHG WIS SOmClhlllE VI
an intrusion now. The summer waned
and the glory of September came. Mr.
Breeze had quite recovered and was
anxious to return to the consideration Of
his legal affairs, so he sent for Elson to
come out To his house once more. The
young man had been there several times
to inquire as TO the wounded mans pro-
gress, but his visits had been necessarily
brief and somewhat formal Now he
packed his valise and prepared to 60 out
on a Saturday afternoon to stay till Mon
day As he drove through the gates he
heard thesound of laughter ringing under
the trees, and n moment later he saw
Nellie playing tennis with the three young
men who were with her at the opening of
this tale. For moment something of the
old dstrust of the girl came to him, but
then he smiled and said to himself:
''She can't fool me now. I've seen what
lies beneath the surface"
And as he dismounted from the trap, he
saluted her with most grave courtesy. Mr..
Breeze appeared at the door, greeted the
young lawyer warmly, and led him into
the house. Nellie bit her lips and gaZed
after them with flaming cheeks. The
next moment she served the bail angriy.
The lawyer and his client were closeted
nearly two hours after dinner. Then Mr.
Breeze, who had not regained the full
measure of his strength, owing to confne-
ment in the warm weather, retired, leav-
ing Elson IN the dining-room with a cigar,
q bottle of cherry, and some law papers.
The young man read ne papers through
and smoked thoughtfully. Presently a
light step sounded behind him and ne
turned to see Nellie entering the room.
She stopped short on seeing him.
II did not know you were here" she
said, in a constrained tone.
Am in the way?" he asked gravely
ooh, no. thought might annoy you"
"Annoy me? What makes you think
THAR"
"You look so dreadiully serious when
ever you see me laugh, as If you didn't
approve"
Didn't approve? Why, what right
would l have"
"Tm sure l don't know, but you don't
approve. | suppose if l were to look like
a carved tombstone all the time, or set
my face like plaster cast, it would suit
you but that's not my nature"
And she turned to the buffet bent down,
opened one of the doors, and began to
search among the bottles.
as anv one sick?" exclaimed Elson !;
'can help you?"
She sprang up and said sharply:
Mamma has a slight headache, and l
don't need"
She stopped, trembled, and looked
down. In another moment she spoke
in an altered voice.
"You were good and kind then, Mr..
Elson. and / am speaking go harshly.
What will you think OF me?"
She looked up into his face and there
were tears in her eyes. The young man
was silent for an instant as he gazed at
her. Then he said
81 shall always think of you as thought
then, and as / think now, as the loveiest,
the sweetest. the tenderest of women"
Il think / hear mamma, let me CO."
said the girl.
mot yet-not ever, if can keep you.
Nellie, love you. Is there any answer
to that?"
"Oh-Mr Elson-I-I cannot think you
mean that. Liam sure you always
looked down on me.
"No, Nellie, / tried to argue myself into
belief when l first saw you that you
were shallow; but my heart knew better
and hungered for you"
"When you first saw me?"
eyes, i have loved you from the first,
Nellie. Answer me at once, Nellie; is
there any love for me in your hearth"
She looked up and smiled with wonder