Middletown transcript., 1892-10-06
NETTIE'S TRIAL.

NETTlE D TklAhI
II LOVERS quarrel They are
n not uncommon, they do not
always bring life suffering or even re-
morse But Nettie Ray, standing in
the summer house at Alton Hill, and
hearing the first harsh words that had
ever greeted her from Stephen Rock.
hills lips, felt as if her life's happiness
were gone.
For the words were:
"Unless you can tell me why you
were at the quarry on Wednesday
evening, and who it was you met
there, you and I must part"
And in reply she could only say
"I cannot tell you. If you will moi
trust me, we must part"
Trust you'll" was the famous answer
"Trust a girl who has told me again
and again she loved me, who has no
male relatives, father or brother, and
yet meets man in mysterious place
after dark! How can I trust you
wien you refuse all explanations
Il know appearances are against
me, but don't deserve reproach. "
Bat Stephen would not believe this
and so they parted; he to stride down
the road boiling with rage, she to
sink down upon the rustic chair in
the summer house, lean upon the
table, and weep bitterly.
Grief would have its way at first,
but after a fit of sobbing little Nettie
lifted her pretty face, and took herself
to task.
"This is my gratitude, she thought,
that at the first sacrifice | make I cry
like baby and am heartbroken. But
oh, StephenI if you only trusted
mel"
She thought over one by one the
benefits she owed to Marion Alton
Raymond. her cousin. Five years
before, when Nettie was only Is, she
had been left orphaned and penniless,
and Marion Raymond was keeping a
little trimming store, making a bare
living for herself and her two year old
boy. She was widow with living
husband-a women who had given
her heart to man who had left her
side for gambling table. had lost
heavily night after night, had finally
committed forgery, been discovered
and fed.
Marion had born her heavy cross
patiently, had worked faithfully to
support her boy and had been a kind
friend to Ne.tie. When Nettie had
shared the hard-earned home for
year, Marion's uncle died and left her
Alton Hill and large fortune. Then
Nettie became petted darling. The
best teachers, the prettiest costumers,
the choice of pleasures were all hers,
and Marion's friends knew they could
not better blease her than by showing
kindness to Nettie.
Marion's wealth had proved truly a
friend in need. for one year after her
uncle's death she became confirmed
invalid. An incurable disease Of the
spine left her helpless and suffering,
and it was only her selfish persistence
that prevented Nettie from devOting
her whole life to nursing duty.
But Marion would not have it so.
She had a large circle of friends, who
did not hold her responsible for her
husbands crime, aud she insisted upon
Nettie's acceptance of all their invita-
tions and civilities.
Even when love came and Nettie
would have sacrificed Stephen, If
Marion asked it, she had smiled upon
the wooing knowing him to be true,
good man, worthy even Of Nettie.
The engagement was not generally
known, but the two were betrothed
when Stephen, with his own eye saw
his darling, his dainty, refined, little
fancee, under circumstances that
him.
Nearly two miles from Alton Hill
was huge deserted quarry, a place
known as a rendezvous for the loafers
Of the village in the daytime, but
usually deserted and desolate after
nightfall. 1t stood back from the
direct road leading to Alton Hill
from Bayswater, the nearest town, but
was often crossed, as o short cut be-
tween the two places. Still after dark,
it was place safe enough usually for
those who wished to meet secretly.
Stephen having called at Alton
Hill, was utterly amazed to find Net