The Ravalli Republican., 1898-10-05
TzrIvIO0ED.

Nelly Goodevo had nUrsed Cap |
tain Dawson through q serious i'll
rcas, not for wage. .hUt out OF pure
neigl1borly feeling and kindness OF
heart. From this he had o.1ly just |
recovered when his fayori1c nephew,
Dertie Page. second mate OF the Eal-
cen steamship, came to pay him a.
visit after ~ long voyage. At that
time Nelly was a thln, awkward
girl Of II, with no figure to speak
Of, ard scarcely q good feature, ea-
cept her brown eyes, which were
very large and lustr0us. But the
grateful old fellow introduced her
to his nephew as just the right sort
Of gal Tor Il seafaring man 70 moor
alongside Of - Iothe mariner fresh
from sea every woman under 10 is
goddess. And that is llo" the en-
gaeement came about. "
Nelly was delighted. She did not
pause to consider whether she loved
the young sajlor, hut accepted him
ohband Simple seventeen often
does that sort IT thing and almost as
frequently regrets it. Mr, Goodeve
who, I should explain. lived next
door to Captain Davidson and was
on very intimate terms with him,
raised no objections. II was under
stood that Berrie Gid not wish to
marry until he lasl command Of q
ship. In due course he went to sea
again, and Nelly named hi4l in her
prayers morning and evening and
kissed her engagement ring q great
many times every day.
It is always Interesting to watch
the ugly ducElings, putting on
pluma2e, bur none of tie Goodeves
seemed to be aware that their own
particular "(luclling" was develop
ing into a SWAN" until the young
fellows of StilIboro, ignorant Of the
engagement 50 hastily entered into,
began to swarm round her BIKE bees
about Il honey pot.
Canrain Davidson, however, WIS
quick TO notice the change which
time was bringing 10 pass and to
perceive that Dick GC0Geye, Nelly s
brother. had Of late been much
sought after-7l0t Cn account OF his
own merits. Being particularly
wide awake, as will presently be
seen. the old fellow wrote a yaln-
ing letter to his nephew. But the
sailor was not his own master.
Nearly two Years passed before he
was able 10 visit Stillboro.
Nelly was then 10 and as pretty a
girl as one would wish to see. Pret-
ty, by the way, hardly describes
her. She had grown tall and state
". Her checks were rounded, dim
pied and tinted like the rose Her
eyes were rot as timj1 as formerly,
but full Of conscious power. BERTHE,
who had put Oh flesh, which had
not improved his personal appear
ance, was amazed at the change.
Her. beauty tied his tongue, and he
did not shine.
At the very first Interview after
their long separation she could no'
help contrasting him with moro
than one Of her brothers. nov
friends and greatly to his dis5edyan
taee Captain Davidson, who wa.
present, watched he1. closely, and i
was after that meeting that he trot
ted out his little plan.
''Well, said he when the girl ba'
gone home TO make lo1 fathers tea
what dye think of your sweet
hea1t:'
Bertie, who seemed nervoHs an
Hus1ered, pulled his fair 11ustac]l
Us il seeking inspiration therefrom
She's splendid, he said +;
length. "Who would have though
it2 Inez at Barcelona isn t a pate
on her,
"Who's Inez2" demanded the q
salt quickly. Some girl you '
been carrying on Wilh?'
"She's d Spanish sirl that all o.,
fellows swear by" be ana"eret
coloring under the old mans kac
gaze II haven't had much to &!
to her, not being free, but tnoug!
she was Jolly good looking anti!
saw Nell."
Il expect you re 20 wiser nor !
better than most youngsters vim
they land in a foreign port, :'grcw'F
the old sea dog; 'but, warns 70
don't play any tricks with NJ
Goodeve. -
TIN not going to- rejoined Be
tie, and no doubt he meant it.
Because, Captain Davidsf
went On, you re not married yt
Eut by no 1naIlner Of means.
- ou'rc not thinking that E
won't have me, are you?' cri
Eortie in alarm.
'Th@Ie's 10 knowing She has
1T of chances. IL lave liked 70