The true northerner., 1899-05-10
SHE FOUND HER OUT.

so | have found you at last, my dear
Ralph. / have been seeking you for the
last hour"
What did you want with me-" he asked,
curtiy.
You are cross. | wanted your society
nothing more. Is there anything strange in
that?'
Most fattering of you. nay dear aunt.
am sure"
1t was Mrs. Stanton's turn to frown.
Don't call me by that hateful name. If
did marry your uncle, you might remember
that / am not yet 25 BY the way, Nellie
Saville quits the teens next week"
Indeed"
eyes. Charming girl, isn't she? Really,
Ralph, if you should see the dismal hole of
a parsonage where that girls parents live
you would feel grateful to me for my COM
passionate generosity in taking her from it
for a little while. Are you going to Lady
Campbell's this afternoon?"
mo. | detest tea and tennis
$50 do l. Besides, have headache. VIII
you prescribe for me?"
After the majority of Mrs Oakbrook's
guests had departed for Campbell house
Dr. Stanton was pacing the lawn with Sir
John Dolby, smoking cigarettes and talk
ing politics, and indoors his relative occu-
pied a velvet lounge and tried to read the
last new novel.
He came to her at last, but it was with a
serious face and an open telegram in his
hand
MY sister has met with an accident. Lev
ison wants me to 60 at once
ooh, Ralph Is it serious! You will re-
turn here?"
81 think not" he returned, replying to
the latter question.
She sat there until the sound of the
horses hoofs had died away. Then she
crossed the room and looked at the notes
he had written. One was for his hostess
apology and explanation, of course-but the
other was for Miss Saville. A moments S
hesitation; then she tore it open.
Dear Miss Saville: Before you see this
you will know the reason of my sudden de-
parture. But | cannot wait until our next
meeting for the answer to the question |
should have asked you this morning if Mrs.
Stanton's entrance had not prevented me
from doing so. / want you to be my wife,
Nellie; my loved and honored wife. VIII
you? Write yes or no soon TO your loving
but impatient RALPH"
A small fire burned in the crate. She put
the letter into her pocket and burned the
envelope.
Dear Ralph" murmured the lady. 81
want you to write to him for me- Nellie. He
promised to let me know how his sister was,
but | suppose he has not had time. He does
not know your handwriting. i think"
Very soon Ella Stanton had dictated a
gushing, affectionate letter, and with
blanching cheeks Nellie had written it,
,1, NIL, "a
aside. There is only one other that need
be written now"
"What is it," asked Nellie, triAe
wearily.
"Why, you know, dear, Mr.. Graham
wants me TO open the Brixton bazar, but |
really don't feel equal to the task. | must
write to decline. But he always laughs at
nerves, and do so hate being laughed at +"
"NIy Dear Friend: / have thoughtfully
considered the subject and must decline the
honor / am grieved beyond expression to
disappoint you, but, feeling as | do, can
not act otherwise. However / feel confident
that you will meet with one worthier than
/; that what | cannot grant she will joy
fully concede Only one thing ! ask-that
this shall in no way interfere with the
friendly relations which have always exist
ed between us.
81 think it is making too much Of a
little thing, Ella. You will sign it, Of course
"No, dear. Do it for me-only initials.
How singular that they should be alike, is
it not-Ella Stanton and Ehnor Saville?
There, now, dear, just run upstairs and see
if Louise has mended that lace / tore last
night.
A moment more and Ralph Stantons sim
r,la hnrne4 laft To IaT bor
ousy had quickened her memory. She knew
it by heart.
Refolding it, she inclosed it with that
other in an envelope addressed in Neie's
pretty, graceful caligraph to "Ralph Stan.
ton, Esq" and sealed it carefully.
Two years later Dr. Stanton was journey
ing northward. The London season was over
and the famous physician had been on tn,
point of starting for his holiday, when he
was summoned by telegram to Sir Chris
topher Knott, wealthy patient brmming
over with gout and crotchets.
Thinking? 1t was reaming-dreaming o.
a slim, petite figure and fluffy golden hair
and gloriousy blue eyes! Yes, though she
had refused him, he loved her still. Her
home was at Grimestone.
"Grimstone! Grimstone!" shouted por.
ter and so his reflections came TO an end
but only to awaken into lively interest
From a second-cass carriage girl alighted
"a girl in neat little hat and gray dust
cloak. Underneath that hat was pquan,
little face and clustering fringe of fluffy
golden curls.
Nellie was alone in the drawing-room
Suitors had wooed in vain She was the
orthodox cleryman's daughter, with her
duties to perform as they rose fresh each
day, and in the past nameless disappoint
ment.
Her thoughts had turned on that visit tc
Oakbrook two years ago, when the waiting
maid brought in a card-"Dr. Stanton"
This is, indeed, pleasant surprise" she
said, with a rosy flush that told its owr
story. 81 am sorry mamma is not at home. >
Il am staying in the neishborhood pro
fessionally and could not leave without call
ing on you. 1t is the privilege of friend
ship, and you desired shat we continue
friends"
Nellie looked puzzled.
81 do not understand you. What do you
mean?"
II beg your pardon for the allusion, Miss
Saville but you cannot have forgotten? The
words were in your letter-a letter i have
kept because you wrote it, in spite of iti