The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1901-1903, 1902-11-16
y HE was neither picturesque nor
!. romantic; and in the suburban
parish where she lived there

A0tAahtths et1A ~ hAiN Pta''
= parish where she lived there
were probably a hundred girls
prettier than she. But bright I'm
selfish nature win make even plain
fact attractive; and there We're times
when you would have said that Nellie
Graham was more than comcly.
Each weekday morning. punctually
at a quarter to S. you might see her
setting off for a two-mile walk to'the
Broad School in Hirst street, where.
is head teacher, she received salary
which enabled her TO provide for the
wants of the household
OF sunny disposition, she always
endeayored to look on the bright side
OF things. But the dark side would
persist In showing itself, especially
when. MS It often happened. her father
"a confirmed beer-drinker-with foul
oaths would demand money from her;
while her mother--a confirmed invalid
would signal to her from the horse
hair couch to obey him.
At length, however. the time came
when even her darkest days had a
CLEAN Of sunshine. Love entering her
iife had glorifled II.
Her sweetheart's name was Marston.
He was d draughtsman ut Cranstons
big works; and, with salary of f140
per annum, had dreams of future great
ness.
10 most people he was an ordinary
young man, with fair amount of good
looks; but 10 Nellie he was II hero, and
well-nigh as handsome as Apollo Bel
yederc.
First love Is a pretty romance.
But not half so sweet as It's reekoned;
Aud when one awnkens from the
trance
There's vast deal of love In the sec
ond.s
Such was Tom Marston's belief. He
was threeAand-twenty when certain
bright-eyed golden.haired damsel Tilted
hins Possibly she had good reason
for so doing, AT all events, Tom con-
sidered himself ill-used, and for time
was an avowed cynic. And then he
met Nellie Graham
Twelve months had now elapsed
since the day Of their engagement: and
50 far he saw no reason 10 doubt his
sweetheart's fidelity.
His was big nature; he was not of
the stun Of which heroes are made;
but probably the strongest affection of
which lac was capable was given to
Nellie Graham.
But the course of true love, hitherto
running smoothly. received sudden
check In this wise; Having been In
formed by the chief that his salary
would shortly be substantially in
creased, Tom on leaving the Office went
straight to Town and there Invested
eighteen-and-sixpen in a present for
his sweetheart, TO be given to her upon
her birthday And that same evening,
well pleased with himself and the
world, he set off for Ventnor Road
Nellie was not at home. and the news
momentarily damped his spirits Would
she be long away? Mrs. Graham could
not say; and so Tom sat down. and
chatting with the old lady, waited Gag
erly for the sound of his sweetheart's
footstep in the hall But he waited in
vain, and at length he took his depar-
ture.
BY this time his high spirits had COM
pletcly evanorated. II wonder where
she has gomez" he said to himself,
She might haye told her mother.
Bother ii! SHE has spoilt the whole
evening
The twilight was deepening. but
Toms eyes were keen and presently
lie saw Nellle's trim little figure on the
opposite pavement She was walking
quickly. her gaze straight in front of
her, and not until she heard his voice
was she aware of her sweetheart's
presence.
His greeting was anything but lover
like-nine women out of ten would as
suredly have resented it, Where have
you beengn he said. a note of Irritation
IA his voice
I'll have been, she hogan falter-
ingly, and then stopped, her head
averted, her eyes upon the ground.
Instantly the demon of jealousy
awoke within him. You've been walk.
ing with some one he exclaimed
hoarsely. "who was it, Some man,
supposel'
With that she raised her head. and
looking straight into his eyes Yes, =
she said firmly. almost ii seemed &c
him, defiantly. lit was man, and
have been walking with him for an
hour or more
For a moment he was dumfounded
Then, soh, indeed be said, striving