Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1892-02-26

drift ano rubbing the beauty's temple
and lips with it, while she explained to
Morton how to get Genevieve's hands
warm; much to his satisfaction, for she
did not object to his covering them with
kisses.
The teamster came up, and Nellie
found time to scold him for his stupid
ity.
The horses were uahitched from the
sledge, and the young people undertook
to drag Genevieve home, which the stout
poles at the sides of the conveyance as
sisted them to accomplish, as the girls
could take hold and propel, while the
young men dragged the cumbrous con-
Germ. The fair invalid was pillowed on
muffs and covered with newmarkets, and
was pleased to revive nicely. 1t was
first sunset and then deep dusk when
the catafalque slowly reached home:
1t may be supposed that dinner was a
little late that evening.
Nellie came into the parlor before the
others, looking lovely IN still another of
her fashionable frocks and Balkan was
waiting for her ready to poupce.
"What did you mean?' he whispered.
Nelhe's eyes, which looked big and
bright, because she had been crying all
to herself, filed again with tears. She
edged away into the anteroom and he
followed.
~ meant" she replied soto voice,
''that when you love her, and she loves
you, and when you come out into the
baekwoods and have plenty of oppor-
tunities, and when we are all looking on
from respectful distance, it is perfectly
stupid of you not to offer yourself to
Genevieve, and should have tainted and
died both if I had been in her place.
She showed great self-control not to
have died. You had no business to
stipulate the tree, anyhow, for Of course
she would expect everything to be settled
before she got there. Oh, of course,
you think me outrageous to meddle with
you and talk right OUT as if [ were
novel, without respect of persons and
open secrets, but I'm nobody in par
ticular, you know, and seeing that love
Genevieve, will put my finger into her
affairs if I like to. And I'll just add
this-that I'm going to arrange to have
you both driven by the coachman to-
night in the big sleigh while we are
portioned off to little cutters. The
drivers seat is way up"
"But my dear Miss Featherly-
Nellie"
CHOW, don't be disrespectful. OF
course l can Only ask for an outward
show of respect after telling you to offer
yourself to my dearest friend, whom we
all know you are hoping to win, but that
show of courtesy stipulate for"
"But how can ask Miss Chamberlain
in marriage if 1 love you?" Balkan
squeezed in desperately.
Nellie sat down on the arm of a chair
and looked up at him aghast, blushing
and appealing.
ooh, you can't be in love with me?"
she said, breathlessly.
81 wish you would not be so scornful.
You ought to have known it. Months
ago was crazy about Genevieve, like
the rest, but only for a week, for then
l met you. A man doesn't sit staring
all day at a girl unless he loves her.
ence to me is something appallingi but
1 had hoped to win you in the end.
Then you take me by the throat, yank
me in front Of somebody else, with
orders, martial in their haste, and now
cast me into perfect sea of premature
ness; for, of course, you'll spurn my un-
heralded revelation. But I'm as obsti-
nate as you are, and love you [ will, by
Jove!"
Balkan sat down on the other arm
chair, and being trim as a marble statue
for dinner, and not having time to brush
his hair again if he tore it a little, thrust
his thumbs into his pockets and glared
at the fire.
A feint rustic of heavy silk at his ell
bow made him feel exultant.
"Ifshe consents to it, you might pro-
pose to me in the Russian sleigh, then"
He turned, and hel superb eyes met
his. He caught her hands and studied
her face with blissful care.
81 thought was of no account" she
murmured, all of a tremble: and was
suddenly kissed in way that made her
feel that for the future she had some
one to guard her against all harm, and
give her all the happiness she could wish
for.-New Orleans New Delta.