The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1894-05-15

the congregation was dismissed she
found him at the door with a smile and
a bow, ready to see her home, for the
first time since the quarrel.
May l see you homeG" he asks.
YES" was the quick reply, with a
smile.
On the way home they sauntered
across the fields, talking gaily all the
while. To Nellie the sun shine is more
bright than ever before and the birds
sing more sweetly. 1t seams to her the
happiest day she ever experienced.
There is a short silence. Willie is the
first to speak.
Nellie" he says in a low voice,
which makes the girl STRAIT, for 1t has
the old familiar tone In which he used
to call her name. AS she looks up at
him he continues: 81 have a contes-
sion to make to you. have treated
you very, Uery badly. Now will you
not forgive me, Nellie3"
She looked at him intently then and
answered:
1 freely forgive you, Mr.. Ryner."
He grasped her hand warmly and
continued:
'Ohl Nellie, 1 thank you go very
much. am grateful to you and will
be kinder to you from this day as long
az 1 live; but tell me, Nellie, did you
feel sorry when 1 acted so unkindly to-
ward youG"
YES" said she, II was very I'm.
happy. No words will express my
sorrow, but we will forget the past,
MI. Ryner, and will be happy now"
He could have caught her in his
arms and kissed her, but he dared not.
This visit was followed by many
more. Willie and Nellie were two of
the hRppiest people in the world. On
one occasion we o them sitting in the
reception room at her home on settee,
side by side. The lamp sheds it's soft
rays gently around them. The fatal
moment draws near when it is either
life or DEATH" He lowers his head
and whispers:
Darling Nellie, love you with the
true deep love of my heart. I love you
as l have loved no other; furthermore,
1 never will love anyone else as I now
love you. Will you marry me, Nelliei
Obi Nellie, look at me and tell me that
you love me and will be my wife.
Speak to me, dearest, 1 cannot bear
your silence"
She raised her face to his. It was
CHASTITY. Never will he forget the look
Of pain and despair which rested on
her c-ountenance.
"Oh! Heaven, help me-" she gasped,
and fell back motionless; but not long
did she remain 60. Willie raised her
quickly and rested her head on his
shoulder and gently smoothed her dark
hair. She Don gained self possession
and moved from him impatiently.
Don't touch me-" she said, but he
did not seem to hear what she said, for
he was by her side in a moment plead
ing, Nellie, do tell me that you love
me. 1t would be almost death to me
to hear you say that you do not love
me. Please forgive me for being so
hasty. I am bound to know mydoom.
1 tried hard to keep the secret in my
heart, but could not. OH I love you
80 dearly. Tell me that you care for
me-"
Nellie had always said that she never
expected to love or have lovers;
neither would she marry. Poor limo
cent child! She did not know that her
heart was feasting on that terrible
monster dove al she termed il. Alas!
she knew it now, and it was such a
shock that she thought it almost i'm
possible to exist under ii. AS she
raised her face, her heart seemed as
though it had forgotten to throb, and
she said, huskily, II do love you, Yes,
that 1 do care for you love you with
a love that no one else will"
His facegrew radiant with hope. He
threw his arms around her and pressed
her to his breast and kissed her fondly,
saying:
81 knew you would save my life,
dearest Nellie"
She tried to free herself from his
clasp, and did at last.
"Stop," she said. "Look at me, Mr..
Ryner. My life is ruined. Obi l did
not mean to love you. 1 did not know
1 loved you. I have always been afraid
of love, and tried to avoid it. But Oh!
it is too late, for lam truly in love with
you. I know it now, when 1t ID too
Late. But I will not marry you. No,