The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1893-10-19
CHAPTER. Iv-(Continued)

CHAPTER. Iv-(Continued)
''You 60 in first, before he comes
sout Of the library, and I'll be bound
le won't ask no questions"
Nelly limped into the dining room,
.And took her seat at the table before
the next bell rang.
What, you first Nelly?" said her
sfather, coming in just as the clock
struck. ~'-...
He was tall, spare man, with fine
features that would have made him
handsome but for the air of gloomy
severity that frowned from his thought
iGul brOWS. This severity was a charac-
terisic Of the men of the Huntingdon
srace. They we're kind and generous
enough in the main, but stern, implac-
able, and utterly unyiclding; Il race to
he stanch friends and bitter foes
better framed, indeed, for good hatcrs
than good lovers. No wonder all their
WOmenkind stood in awe of them.
NellyS father had for some years
past devoted himself entirely to literary
pursuits so that she had enjoyed very
Hittle of his society and cOmpaniOnShip.
They met at meal-times, when he would
ask her a few Indifferent questions,
land she would answer them, and she
was too much afraid Of him to show
'1aim any particular affection.
o''Maynt 1 read for you, or write,
papa?" she had asked, timidly, some
times; but the response was always:
''NO, thank you, my dear; seclusion
would not be good for you. Run about
and breathe the fresh air, and ride
your horse. I shall do very we'll"
But on this evening, when she would
Gain have been silent, her father was
unusually laxative.
where have you been to-day. Nelly?"
he asked, rs soon as he had taken his
-eeat
Why should he have asked that ques-
'tfon to-day, Of all others, the first time
at had ever been inconvenient to re-
ally?
''Out in the woods, papa, and II
strained my foot little
How did you manage that?'
put my foot in q hole and twisted
the ankle''
That comes Of your romping ways,
IL suppose. You really are too old to go
racing about now, Nelly. And, Nelly,
IL have something to say to you"
Yes, papa;" and her heart beat thick
and fast with a great dread.
Il don't wish you to 60 anywhere
near the lower part Of the wood for
the next month. I hear Lord Lang
Moline is coming to the Court with Il
party of men. and [ don't choose you
to he seen by them"
Nelly stopped her head over her plate
dn an agony. Could her father know
anything?
Lord Langholme is not desirable
acquaintance for young ladies'" pro-
ceeded Mr.. Huntingdon, with the frown
deepening on his brow; land as he runs
after every petticoat he sees, he might
wish to force the honor Of his acquaint-
ance upon you, and I'd sooner see you
dead than have anything to do with
4lim'
You need not be afraid, papa" said
Nelly, raising her head with spirit
-'I would not speak to Lord Lang
'golme. I detest him without ever hay
ing seen him.
Now, it was very odd that such a
conversation should have taken place
ON this particular day, when the name
even Of Langrolme had never been
mentioned between the father and
daughter before. But on that very
.InOrnirg MI. Huntingdon bad received
a letter from bis brother in town, and
the postscript contained these lines:
Town is getting quite empty. I
shear your neighbor, Lord Langholme,
is going down to the Court with Il
party. He's terrible fellow after
pretty faces, and Nelly must be getting
a great girl now"
The bare suggestion had been enough
to stir up all Mr.. Huntngdons latent
hatred of the rival house. and caused
him to bestow the caution just uttered
What shall 1 do" thought Nelly
spiteously, now papa has forbidden me
to go to the brook? dare not disobey
him; but surely there is no harm in
my speaking a few words to Captain
WELLESLEY, even if he is Lord Lang
holmes friend. I would sooner have
Il died than speak to him."
So for three days, during which Nelly
was confined to the house by her foot
u she was in a perfect agony between the
& Gear Of displeasing her father and the
q Unisery of not seeing the handsome
stranger again. But on the fourth day
with a sorely guilty conscience, the dis
<obedient child limped toward the brook
! to keep her tryst with Captain Welles
1y. The blue eyes were looking keenly
for her as their owner stood leaning
against a tree on Lord Langholme.
SSiuC OIL Tie DEOOk. lueFe udO Deen ~
gain, the water ran shallower than be
fore, and the young athlete cleared i
at a bound. Nelly put her slim fingers
quite naturally into his outstretchct
h:nd.
How is you foot to-day, he asket
tenderly.
"Oh! very nearly well. thanks; bu
Il lost my shoe the ether day"
Captain WELLESLEY took the missing al
sficle flom his pocket, and held it re
agretfully toward her.
IF you would crly let me keep it,!
<he pleaded.
Il don't think it would be much us
to ycu.' laughed Nelly, archly, LOOKING
down at his feet, which. by the way
were particularly well shaped.
mo, not in that ay," he answered
smiling. But do. won't you?"
Why Miss Huntingdon should hav
consented to such ridiculous reques
am not prepared to say; but tina
she did is an indisputabln fact, sine