The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1895-02-18
QUARRELED.

and loved eaCh other dearly am sure,
but when Ncttie came back from boarding
school Fred fell in love with her in true
lovers fashion. I never saw any human
being so distracted about another. It was
Nettie, Nettie, from morning till night
and ibid think woman could DO pretty
without blue eyes and golden hairf" My
own were black, and Thought myself not
so very bad looking but let Fred have
his own way. 1t was not enough for him
to go into raptures himself, but I must
help him along.
She was little beauty; there is no de-
nying the fact And she had the sunniest
face and sweetest temper Of any girl ever
knew. She seemed the very picture Of con-
stanoy and gcntleness. changed my mind
about that later on, but sho was not so
very much to blame, after all, as you will
see when my story is told.
Fred went to see his little sweetheart
about seven times week, on an average,
danced with her at all the parties, hunted
out notices OF tenderest meaning for her,
which Nettie with many smiles and blush
es sccreted, after eating the sugar p1ums
Enclosed. All parties concerned approved,
and they were regularly engaged" They
were to be married as soon as Fred got
through with his law studies-which, by
the bye, he managed to do u short time aft
er, by adopting the easy method of aban-
donment
All went smoothly, deccitfully so, for
awhile But one evening Fred cainc homo
from Ncttie's with q troubled oountensnce
and acted Just like bear. At least can
not say that ever saw bear out Of tom
per, but what l mean to signify is Fred
was certainly very cross and gloomy. He
threw things about ct u great rate, kicked
the cat savagely and sat down before tho
fire with his hat drawn over his eyes and
apparently in the brownest Of brown
studies.
had been waiting up alone for him. II
was rather late, ard mother and father had
retired, SO 1 made up my mind l would
know what was the matter before went
to rest.
laid my hand ON his shoulder coaxing-
~. He moved away, with an impatient
gesture. That / expected, and so took no
notice whatever.
''Comc, Freddie" said /, "you might
as well tell mo first us last You know it
always comes to that in the end"
"It's nothing" he said rather grufiiy,
but saw he was glad had spoken, and
persisted.
F'Well, Fan, he said at last, ~ sup.
pose-I know it must he some mistake l
don't know what to make Of it, but
found note in Nettic's workbasket and
If did not know Nettc should think
"Oh, Fred, you didn't read It'll Let me
see it," said l, all in a breath. 1t quite
shocked mo TO think of Fred reading some
thing not intended for his eyes, and yet /
did want peep.
II did not intend to, stammcred Fred.
"I'm sure did not Ncttie saw me play
ing with it. only kept it b. accident. /
read it before l knew what was doing,
but it would not be honorable to show it
to any one else. "
Eyes, yes, Fred" coaxed. "Let me
see it, 1t can't do any harm now, and
maybe 1t is nothing dreadful after all. ="
So no placed in my hand, with sigh of
relief, little slip Of paper, upon which
was written in large, flourishing hand:
When shall see my darling Nettie AGAIN.
/ have heard about +. W., aud / am getting
jealous. l begin TO fear you have forgotten
your ever constant FRANK.
stared Was it n sham? We had left
Oft writing sham billets doux before Net
tic went to boarding school.
"Whpt do you make of itS' said Fred
impntiently. ut is a man. writing, is it
mott"
"No," said decidedly. cts inform
ed snd ignorant"
had Just accomplished fine imitation
of copperplate inscription reading, "A
specimen OF my improved penmanship"
and considered myself good critic and
judge of manuscript in those days. sit is
some schoolboy's, Fred. :"
My brothers countenance fell 1t had
frightened considerably when began.
''What business has some schoelboy to
call her his darling Nettie them he nsk-
ed angrlly.
We talked II oyer and puzzled over it a
long time, and at last l persuaded Fred to
go straight to Nettie with the enigma, and
go he did the very next morning and re-
| turned radiant.
TITS all right, Fan. Frank is a girlr'
shouted he.
Mother looked little curious, for she
was present at the time, but we did not
explain, and SO the matter dropped for
awhile.
Soon followed moro mystiflCntions. Fred
found that his morning calls were not al
ways acceptable; that his invitations were
sometimes declined; that this mysterious
Frank, this former schoolmute of Nettic's :,
who was never visible was still always in
his way. He chafed over it perceptibly
But after all :" said he, Zone can't be
jealous of girl, and hottie will get over
this infatuation in time. I"
Yet he was jealous-that l saw-and
very uncomfortable, and finally his feel
ings Culninats d into wrath.
knew something worse than usual had
happened when l missed Frcd's mellow
whistle rs he neared the house. | was SURE
of it when Isaw his face, 1t was only with
the greatest difficulty l discovered the
facts of tho case. This was the summary
Fred had invited Ncttie to matinee
Nettic had declined, with thanks and apol
oRies, but declined positively. Reason-l
previous engagement with Frank Fred
had suggested transfer of tho apologies
Nettio had declared such transfer impos
sihle. Sequel-rage ON Ered's part ant
tears on Nettie's.
I am sorry for it now" said Fred
'hut this must end, can I submit to b,
The victim of some silly schoolgirls ca
prices. II Ntttie loves me at all, she mus
give up this Frank forne, II not, as wei
know it first as last.
''lt Is not 60 bed as that, Fred, said
Two will 90 round there together in tn
calling on Nettie, and you will have
Glance 10 make up your quarrel md Sc
this formidable Frank as well. "
80 we made n morning call. We wer
ushercd into the tiny receptipn room ant
waited patiently for Miss Ncttic's answer
which was luAg Ia coming.
81 want to show you Nettie's portrait,
said Fred, rising II think | may go int
the parior without Invitation" Their
were three parors and conservatory In
line, and the little room in which we sa
stood at one side Of the first of these, sep