The record-union., 1895-12-28

ornament the church for Christmas
to-day, and as there is much to do we
must get about it early, mamma says"
DO you know your fate is fixed :
q started) for the day." said Mrs.
Grayton, coming in and seating her
self at the table to pour the coffee. 1.-THE
young ladies have drafted you into
their service, and you are to assist in
making wreaths and ornaments in
green leaves-building platforms.
Hold on" said 1. Il feel myself un-
equal to the task Why [ couldn't trim
a church more than 1 could a bonnet. 1
must desert. You are the leader in this.
Nelly, and 1 give you fair warning"
You are mistaken" said Nelly. 81
am not the leader. Miss Easily is
mmander-in-chief, and by the way,
1 have a compliment for you from her.
She says you are the most agreeable
gentleman among all her acquaintances.
What do you think of that? But / am
afraid she said it in confidence anu 1
suppose l ought not to have told you"
You have quite elated me- said l..
Il did not suppose in all the wide world
one could be found to pay me such a
compliment as that
Your modesty will ruin you yet,
said Mrs. Grayton, but Lucy is most
excellent young lady, and you have
cause to be proud of such a compli-
ment"
Dear me! my head was quite at the
point of turning" I felt sure, but l
went to the church, met Miss Easily,
and performed prodigies in ornament
ing. 1 was surprised to see how many
and beautiful traits that young lady
was possessed of that 1 had not before
noticed. Well, 1 thought, both Of these
girls are treasures. Nelly takes you
unawares and Miss Easily when you
are aware.
Bob had worked like a Trojan in
packing in the green boughs, and had
succeeded in tearing his coat nearly
oft his back in his ardor-but we all
came home in excellent spirits, hungry
for the excellent dinner which was
awaiting us.
1 had not forgotten to supply 10 and
Ettie with candy, and they wished there
could be more Christmases."
During the evening, while alone with
Mrs. Grayton, she informed me she had
received a letter some time before from
Hale. in which he informed her he
would probably be absent for some
months - that he had made arrange
ments for all matters at home, and he
begged that they would remain in
charge of his household as in the past.
we hardly know what to do she said
1T is very strange proceeding on the
whole, and very unlike Mr.. Hale. We
are sadly mystified."
But what do you think is the cause
OF his strange conduct, Mrs. Grayton?"
asked I.
well I may as well tell YOU for I
am sure l can trust you Mr. Hale has
been an admirer of Nelly's for a long
time. / could see such was the case
long ago, but he seemed very timid
about bringing matters to an end. But
when he went below on business he
wrote Nelly a long letter telling of his
love for her, and that in consequence
of his fear of refusal he had availed
himself of the opportunity to write and
tell what he might fail to say in person,
and that if he was accepted, so honored
and blest, to write 10 him at once. If
he was to be rejected he said he greatly
preferred being absent. That is the sub
stance of the letter Nelly was at that
time considering an offer to take a posi-
ton as music teacher in a southern
county of this State, where we have
friends. She was greatly surprised to
receive Mr.. Hales letter, and came
straight to me with it. What shall I
do, mamma, dear said she. DO what
you wish said I. Have you any love
for him, Nelly?' Yes, mamma. I am
willing to own I do love him very
dearly L showed her the exact posi-
ton of things, but did not persuade her
IN the least, and the next day she told
me she had decided to accept. and ac-
cordingly wrote the letter Mr. Hale was
50 anxiously waiting for She wrote at
the same time to her friends at
saying she could not accept their offer.
He must have got the letter, because
he says as much in his letter to me
afterwards when he says he is about to
desert US. What do you really think of
1t all, Mr.. Haine? L own I am sadly
perplexed. You are a warm friend of
Mr.. Hale's, and I think understand his
motives"
was just on the point of answering
her when the door opened, and Nelly
came in.
L hope you don't expect to make that
coat of Bob's presentable again. NAM
ma, said she, pointing to the garment
Mrs. Grayton was mending, and which
was the one Bob had torn so badly
that day. why, I thought it past
hope"
Indeed, but I do" said her mother.
it was badly ripped. it is is true, but
1t is nearly mended. Therer' said she.
giving it shake which flung a half
dozen old letters and papers upon the
floor.
Il wonder" said Nelly. 'if these are
some of Bob's old love letters?" picking
them up. "Why, MAJ" said she. with
great emphasis on the last word. "here
is the very letter I sent to the seminary
at --. That horrid boy has been car
rying it all this time in his pocket. and
| sent ii by him to the Postoffice weeks
ago. Only think of it? 1 suppose it is
too late to answer it now, but I must
at least write and explain. Isn't it too
bad?" and she tore open the envelope
and glanced at the letter Mamma,
mamma! what do you I think l have
done?" cried she, while a frightened
look came over her face, only see
this?" and she handed the letter to her
mother.
why, child, what does it mean?"
said her mother, with a troubled look.
1T means" said Nelly, that 1 have
sent the wrong letter 10 Mr. Hale"
why. Nell. how could it happen?"
Il think l know now" said Nelly.
glancing rather nervously at me.
He knows all, said her mother, no.
ticing the look. Il told him just before
you came in"
Il wrote both letters at nearly the
same time. and lust as I was about to