The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-04-25

never occurred till now. They scarcely
knew why they We're shy OF each
other when in the presence of others.
and that there was deep feeling In
their hearts: and even If they did they
would probably have denied its existence
until now. when Mr.. A. 3. Mallory Of
indianapolis. who was going to Colorado
10 make purchase of land in the gold
mining district, crossed the river.
Mr.. Mallory had had occasions to
cross the river several times before. and
had gained the acquaintance of Mel and
knew Henry by sight. He had always
by some accident happened to be present
when Mr.. Mallory crossed until this
time. having to weed the garden.
The gentleman noticed the absence Of
the hoy and asked Mel if her brother
was not sick that she was running the
ferry alone?
who. Henry she exclaimed blush
ing. He had TO weed the garden to-
day He's Mr.. Williams's son; he hain't
my brother
But isn't he hired - ask Mr.. Mallory.
Il supposed he was your brother or
some boy hired to assist you in man
aging the ferry. as 7 have seen him aid
ing YOU ever since crossed here the
first time
"Oh. no." answered Mel: Henry isn't
hired; he just helps because he likes
10, and" She stopped short as
though the last words spoken had
choked her.
heart added Mr.. Mallory. laughing.
And he helps YOU so as to be with you
and have good time"
And for the first time in life Mel
blushed.
Mel turned and seemed to be busy at
her ''eoOd-by''
Il hope that your sweetheart will he
with YOU when ! return, he remarked
as he walked rapidly up the bank.
Mel cast a glance at him he left.
hoping never TO see his face again. Then
burying her tanned face in her apron
she wept aloud "Ohi that horrible
man." she cried. ringing her hands in
agony. How can | ever meet him face
to face again2 He has taken my life
He has broken the ties of nature that
bind mine and Henry's hearts together.
Must this play ground of mine be my
burial place. where boats
What's the matter. Nellie?" came a
voice from the other end Of the ferry.
II was the voice of Henry. He had
finished wedding the garden and come
down to the ferry TO spend the evening
with Nellie.
She jumped to the bank and started to
run home when a strong arm stopped
her. She tried 10 release herself but
all in vain. Finding it useless she buried
her face i'm her hands and wept as
though her heart would break
Henry drew her face up to his breast
and kissed her time and again and
begged her TO tell him what was the
matter.
TEL me. Nellie. who has hurt you
and 1 will have revenge if it costs me my
life
She placed her arm around his neck
and told him the conversation that
passed between Mr.. Mallory and her.
telling him how she blushed at his being
called her sweetheart. and -
But, Nellie, I'll have revenge on him.
He has broken the cords Of your heart
and now you are ashamed TO be caught
in my presence. Oh, God, if l never had
been born I'll have revenge-revenge,
or I give up my lifer'
She dropped down upon her knees ana
with uplifted hands she begged him TO
forget what had passed. Without max
ing a single answer he kissed her good
by and walked rapidly toward home
leaving Nellie on her knees CRYING and
praying that her dearest friend might
appear before her again as he appeared
the day before.
Dear reader. can you imagine that
you see this poor girl, in her troubles.
kneel down upon the bank of a river
that Is calling her to a watery grave?
Oh, no: we may think we can conceive
the sorrow OF one who watches the
form Of their dearest friend fade away
i'm the horizon. probably for the last
time, but far from IL. 1t may be that
some Of you in your lives have witnessed
this very scene. If SO, God have mercy
on you.
Henry went home with a heavy heart
Instead Of going 10 his father and
mother. as usual, he went 10 his room
upstairs which was reached by means
of a ladder bent up against the wall. He
laid down upon the bed hoping 10 sleep
away his troubles, but in vain. The
more he tried the stronger the aching
in his heart, until he heard something
whisper in his ear, She's ashamed Of
you in the presence of others; hide from
her sight.
When darkness strolled Ger the valley
Nellie, with tottering step. went home,
hoping that the night would bury her
troubles in its dark bosom, and when
the golden sun peeped over the mount
ain top at Winderville that she would
be happy again
The next morning when Mr.. Williams,
standing at the foot of the ladder which
led up into the loft Of his story and a
half cabin, and looking up at the open
landing above his head, called first
Henry" and then ooh. Henry" three
or four times and getting no answer, had
climbed TO his sleeping place with the
intention Of waking him up by some
more vigorous measures, ne found the
loft empty. Henry was not there.
IldiiitI ii the youilBSleT ain up ana
out already" he said aloud, as he de-
seconded u the lower floor again; ''won-
der what's on hand to make him turn
out without being called?"
"Henry's up already" he said TO the
boys mother. as h passed from the
log part into the frame kitchen. Where
dye s'pose he is; amt gone down TO the
ferry before breakfast. Them children
getting to thick. They just want to STAY
together. Can't do a thing without the
other aknowing it. The next thing /
speck be TO marry. I'll show EN-"
Whether Mrs Williams felt a sudden
premoBition Of evil or whether she
thought he husband had been mistaken
in supposing that Henry had arisen L
cannot tell. but she. laid down the ham
mer with which she was pounding coffee
and went out doors and up the ladder
her husband had done She was gone
some minutes and returned with a. scared
look upon her face. she held in her
hand a piece of paper on which was
scrawled In a big hand:
"Good-by. mother, I've gone away
don't he uneasy about me for will be
a. good boy and trust God. and when I
return home rich Nellie wont blush