The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-05-14
CHAPTER II.

"Nelly, | have had proposal for you, -
said Dr. HenStOck, after what seemed to
the girl in her suspense an endless time
In reality she had but handed him his
cup of tea and helped herself to piece Of
thin bread and butter
"a PROPOSAL she exclaimed quickly
the vivid color dying her delicately pink
cheeks. "O!"
You are not surprised" observed the
doctor, quick to note that she betrayed
none of the amazement at his news that
he himself had experienced on the re-
quest being put to him,
why should | be surprised, daddie?'
queried Nelly, Il have plenty of admirers,
"Plen-ty of ad-mir-ers!" gasped Dr.
Henstock, the admission nearly depriv-
ing him of breath you don't think
what you are saying. A mere child but
yesterday, and yet YOU aver that more
than one sutton is wooing you"
Il don't know, father, at-that-they
all mean they-they want me exactly
stammered Nelly, dropping her blue eyes
and looking nervously abashed, but per-
haps if you put me out of my suspense /
l-Shall understand
Maj. Metcalf has called to-day to ask
for you"
Maj. Met-calf asked for me-" ex-
claimed the girl in evident establishment,
and it was noticeable that Shyness and
shamefacedness had banished themselves
for perfect self-possessiOn. "Weu, |
never! an old man like that had no
idea What Joke" A clear laugh of
amusement at the absurdity of the situa-
ton rang through the air.
My dearest Nell, | cannot tell YOU how
utterly relieved l am to learn that you
| are heart whole"
He had assumed far more than she had
| given him cause TO do.
Nelly blushed prettily. She knew her
much-loved father was stupidity blind,
| but love is ever reticent and shy
When it dawned on me that YOU had
| emerged from childhood into womanhood
| | was more grievcd than l can describe 80
/ continued the doctor pathctically. You
! can only imagine but family what you
| are to me, my loved child, and to know
! that any Dick. Tom. or Harry now con
! sidCrs himself at perfect liberty to steal
I YOU from my shelter caused me infinite
! misery tie paused. Nelly made no re
! ply, but her bushes flew wildly through
/ her flushed checks. and she crumbled her
| bread into atoms instead of eating it, a
| great sign with her of hidden and uncOn-
! tro'lable perturbation
"Nou will not leave the solitary old dad
| for years, perhaps never"
20. father" she exclaimed. involm-
Z JdIlN- seeing Iht anguish on MS dear
face she Quickly added with a pout-
81 should hate 10 be an Old maid " DR.
HCnatoCll took in The beauty of her fresh
puri y and innocence as his deep blue
eyes, faded and less brilliant, glanced into
the playful, Vet ycarning, usefulness OF
her forgot-me-not blue orbs. She an old
/ maid. II seemed unlikely! she was fair
flower for any TO pluck.
IL 40 moi ask NOI 30 remain single al
/ ways, Nellie, though many deem it q life
| much frccr from cares than the welded
one"
"Oniy uglv old things--"
NO, darling, there YOU are wrong.
| Many of the prcttiest, believe, remain
In hand. But ann distressing you We
| need not discuss this subject again
till"
"1Iu SIR. Right comes, daddie ch a." i'm
/ tcJrluted Nelly quyEly. And, father
-ucryinr herself up with ana edorJ-.'you
must prepare Yourself To- part with mc
some day; thlt lis. before rtOw INTO am
| uelr old tuip-, Zoo. l3.,a.ss. son know.
tuolsh Go not care To-. IaL Mntca.fe-
which NoU mUat tcll him dccIdCcly-I
ma-ay care lor some bod y-elsa."
10 Was out at -4at. She did not walt 20