The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-10-26


was arranged that Nelly should remain
at the Hall with Wilson until July,
when Mr. and Mrs Huntingdon
and their family would come down from
town to take possession. But their
arrival did not bring much an1eliora-
ton of Nelly's fate. Her cousins were
heads full Of vanity and frivOlity, and
they affected to despise the country
bred girl who had enjoyed fewer adj
vantages, but who, they were forced
to acknowledge in their jealous hearts,
was sWeetly pretty, and q lady to the
tips of her dainty fingers. fS.
Mr.. Huntingdon was much more easy
going and less stern than his dead
brother, and his wife was fashionable
woman with but one view in life, which
was the establishment Of her daugh-
ters. She had been an heiress; so the
Huntingdon property was likely to be
considerably benefited by the change
Of hands
"Of course, my dear Stanley" she
said to her husband the day after their
arrival-'of course we shall make things
very different from what they We're
in your poor brothers time. He lived
in the most absurd seclusion; but we
must let it be known at once that we
intend to visit all the county; and as
for the ridiculous quarrel between your
family and the Langhollnes, the sooner
it is made up the better. The idea of
carrying on a traditional feud with
such a parti as Lord L. ngholme would
be too absurd. 1 hope you will take
the first opportunity Of asking him over
to dinner"
And Mr.. Huntingdon, being a'sensible
man, made no demur to the sage coun-
| sci Of his wife. OF course they had not
the faintest idea of the episode be-
tween the handsome young earl and
poor little pale Nelly.
So when decent time had elapsed
the Huntingdons visited and entertain
ed; but the little country cousin never
| shared their gayety. In her shyness,
at first she had declined entering into
society with them, and afterward they
utterly ceased to include her in any Of
their arrangements. It was quite
enough taking out two girls, Mrs. Hunt
ingdon said, and inwardly in her heart
she was well content to leave such
dangerous rival at home.
One day, when they were all sitting
at breakfast, Mabel said to her mother:
Mamma, what shall I wear to-
night?'
1t was simple remark; Nelly heard
many such; and it PASSED unheeded;
but the answer seat the blood thrilling
to her face and neck, so that she was
fain to rise from the table and walk
away to the window.
you must be- sure and look your
best, dear; Lord Langholme is coming
tonight"
Nelly wandered away into the garden,
with a surging brain. What should she
do? Should she confide in her aunt,
and ask her to let her come down to
dinner for once? But suppose Lord
L.lg Clmc had ceased to think Of her
(aId there was a bitter consciousness
in Nellys heart that he had never sent
her 4 line or word since her fathers
death to prove that he remembered
herr, she would incur the sneers and
contempts of her cousins, and that
would make her die of shame. And
they were so handsome, so accomplish
ed, so we'll dressed; she, in her dowdi-
ness, would make mean contrast to
them. Perhaps-and her heart throbbed
with sore. pain at the thought perhaps
he would fall in love with one Of them,
and then-"I hope shall diev' she cried
to herself with exceeding bitterness.
! VII, 6auA1iu, Auy AOtc, JOu oAOuAA AAOI
be so cruel!'
She had not courage to go into the
draWingroom, but wandered about mis-
erably all the summer evening, pictur-
ing his blue eyes beaming on other
faces, and his frank kind voice making
music in other ears. Poor little Nelly!
CHAPTER VII.
And Lord Langholme! had he really
.. forgotten her all this time? When he
entered the Hall drawing-r ON, his first
glance was for the lovely face that was
; so well engraven on his memory; but
it was missing. He was introduced to
Mrs. Huntingdon and her handsome
, daughters; then he spoke to all the
, other people in the room-ever and
anon looking toward the door that
,, opened frequently, but never admitted
! the slight, childish figure his eyes
sought He sat next Mabel at dinner
, and she talked to him and looked al
! him, and he replied always courteous
~, but somehow as if his heart was moi
in the matter.
-, ''Does your cousin still live here?'
, he asked, after q pause, with some hes
, itation.
, do you mean Eleanor-my poor un
, I cles daughter?'
= "Yes."
= "Oh, yes, she lives with us, poo
: thing!''
II do not see her here tonight"