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

any Io:Sy
Indeed it was not" and now Net
ties excitement could be suppressed
no longer. While she was speaking
you fair, she must have been doing her
best 10 embitter her brother again
me: or else you. father. must have SAID
or done something that has affronted
both of them"
Mr.. Rowlands sat up in his chair.
astonished at the charge.
My dear child. did not see Mr..
Ostcrly at all, and | have repeated to
you, word fer word. all thatpasscd be
but Marmaduke has broken of
our engagement. Here is the letter
he has written. After the gratuitous
insult have offered to that excellent
woman. his sister. he feels that our
union would be impossible. II l am
incapable of estimating her worth he
is justified in doubling my ability to
fill, with satisfaction to himself Or the
other members of his fumily, the pos
ition he has offered me; and, there
fore though with much regret. he was
compelled to say that he can never be
more to me than my sincere friend and
well wisher."
And you think that is my fault9''
cried Mr.. Rowlands. No, no. my
dear. it cannot be. Give me my boots.
I'll go and have an explanation with
Mr. Osteriy at once"
But Nettie gently forced her father
back into the chair from which he
had risen.
..You shall do no such thing. am
not bit sorry that this has happened;
it is only the dread of being called a
jilt that has kept me from breaking
with a lover l was learning 10 thor
oughly despise. He says truly that |
am not fitted for the position to which
aspired. My ambition would have
been gratified. but that was all. Still
] should dearly like to know what has
given rise to the accusation brought
against me of insulting his pompous
sister. ] have wasted hours of careful
work on that little card-case.
Mr.. Rowlands echoed the words
Will d loOh Vi peTpleNlty-
Case. 1t was II book YOU put In
my pocket. wasn't it?'
Nettie threw up her hands.
.'YeS-yes. "a yellow-backed novel,
to be exchanged at the book ,tall at the
station. Don't say you gave that TO
Mrs. Blenkinsop."
Il am sadly afraid / did. my dear.
! must have been very abscnt-minded
this morning to make such ridiculous
mistake; but it's not too late to rectify
it. I'll go to Mrs. Blenkinsop this
very minute"
Sit down. you dear old blunderer;
there's no rectifying such a mistake rs
this. for nothing either of US could say
would convince woman like Marina
duke Osterly's sister that it was not
made on purpose.
But why? but why?" demanded
Mr. Rowlands; and Nettie replied by
asking another question.
Don't you know the name Of the
book you handed to her2 Then. let
me tell you. 1t was Marrying for
Money and she regards it. and always
will regard it, as an insolent allusion
to her own marriage. Kiss me, daddy.
darling, and congratulate yourself that.
without intending it, you have saved
your foolish daughter from following
her example"
So Nettie Rowlands did not fret at
the loss of her rich lover.
If, for while. the attention of a
moneyed man, and the worldly advant-
age such a match offered, had blinded
her to the folly, nay, wickedness. of
marrying without love, her eyes wore
opened now. and she has endured with
much patience and sweetness, the ILL
natured comments of so-called friends
and acouaintances on the sudden rup-
ture of her engagement.
Perhaps she will have her reward.
Mr. Rowlands has confided to Charlie
Willett the true version of the affair,
and though Nettie declares that. after
the way she treated him. he cannot
help dcspising her. he seems quite will
ing to condone the past and renew his
addresses. Saturday Evening Post.