The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1896-01-15

No, you are right. He is kind and
good, and am sorry he will love me
when cannot love him.
But, why?
All, why? said Nanette, Struggling
her pretty shoulders. But she ran
Gus omelet for supper, singing in loud
clear voice, so that her mother could
not make her hear from where she sat
in an inner room. Why not word
of love had the young grocer spoken,
though his honest eyes told his adora-
ton; but Nanette knew that she always
had the choice of the market set aside
for her, and there ws.s always little
overweight of all the choicest things in
her basket
But the attentions of the captain soon
became burden; not because of his
prosecutions, but because Madame Hill
lien became fretful and exactiug on the
subject. 1t was all foolishness on
Nanette's part and no mod est girl re-
fused the husband her mother offered
her, she said.
But Nanette had been too long i'm
America, though she was but -, to give
up her freedom of choice for any old
French custom.
Here girls choose their own hus-
bands, she said.
And Madame Hillien screamed:
You would offer yourself to him?
Not so bad as that, mamma, though
this is leap year, said Nanette, for 1886
was but few days old.
Leap year! All you are bold girl !
But Nanette was not bold, and her
| tender heart was sore over her lovers
silence. He was her lover; OF that she
was sure but he was poor, so very poor
and needed wife to help him grow
rich. How she could help him. How
she would save in housekeeping, and
make his clothes last twice as long, and
tidy up the rooms the open door show
ed to be so forlorn. She was a true
woman, this little Nanette, longing to
give loyal service where she gave royal
love. But he would not speak.
1t is already two years we have been
in the house, Nanette thought, and |
know he loves me.
Something wonderful happened just
at this time. There was an old uncle
in France. close listed miser, who had
refused often and often to help his
widowed sister by so much as pinch
of salt, and he died, leaving to Nanette
sum that made ten thousands of
American dollars.
1t fairly stunned the little milliner.
To be 50 rich as that, when-and here
choking sob came into her throat
when the man she loved had not a good
coat TO his back, though he worked
faithfully to earn one. Nanette griev-
ed over her access of fortune as much
as she rejoiced. She shrewdly suspect
ed the cause of Georges silence, and
knew that this legacy would be an
other bar between them. Already her
mother was talking of moving into
better neighborhoOd and more commO-
dious apartments.
The captain had Offered his congrat-
ulations, rather ruefully appreciating
the weight of this new phase of affairs.
was sure of the mother, he thought,
but now | am not so sure.
It was dusk when he ratified the key
in his own door, and did not see tall
figure near him, until familiar voice
in the darkness, said:
May leave the keys ofthe basement
with you, captain:
Hey, what? You are going away?
Yes, | am going away, said George
Davis, very sadly. | hope you will he
very happy.
Oh, you do! Pray, what is there to
make me especially happy, just now?
Then George flashed out.
If such woman as Nanette were GO
ing to marry me, should not ask that
question, and something suspiciously
like a sob ended the sentence.
Who told you was going to marry
Nanette?
Madame Hillien.
Then she to a-ahem? she made a
serious mistake. Nanette has refused
me distinctly on separate occasions.
SO the way is open to you.
All, no, | am so poor, you see. /
have no capital to start anything, and
[ can only scratch out the barest living.
And now this money has come, No: |
will 90 away, You see | love her so
much, | cannot stay longer. My heart
is breaking.
Odd confidence, Well, yes; but |
think it must have been the dark that
opened their hearts to each other. They
were such honest, childlike hearts, both
of them two great, bearded men.
am quite sure the dark was unan-
swerable for what followed. George
was leaning against the banister when
he said
My heart is breaking.
Suddenly there was a little soft rustic
above him; then he felt two arms steal
round his neck, a soft cheek touched
his, and into his ear stole whisper:
Don't go away or you will break my
heart, too!
The captains door opened with
Jerk and shut with bang, but l do not
think those two ut the foot of the stair
case heard it. What did they say?
All, who can repeat the rapturous
speech of one the shy whispers of the
other.
But one thing Nanette said at least,
as they went arm in arm up stairs TO
confront Madame Hillien.
You will not tell anybody. will you,
George, that | propose to you, though
it is leap year?
Never, was the emphatic reply.
Madame Hillien cried and laughed
and was none too well pleased, but af-
ter all, she loved Nanette, and she gave
George her hand at last, and mother
ly greeting.
But the strangest part of all was yet
to come, for the captain made Nanette
a wedding present of all the finery he
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