The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1918-10-03
THE VOICE
BY HELENA N. kENNEv.

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The train rolled slowly out Of the
station, leaving girl standing on the
platform. Nellie Windsor was fifteen
years old. Her mother and father
were dend and she had no one bur
Uncle 10 and Aunt Betty. Uncle Jo
had wutten her to come and live with
hlm-and here she was. Il was fully
ten minutes before Uncle Jo cnme,
and when he did he gave her henrty
kiss and lifted her into the buggy and
on they went. Arriving at the farm.
she found Aunt Betty waiting on the
porch for hcr, and such dear old
lady she was. II was then 1880 O'Clock
and the rest Of the afternoon was
spent In unpackIng her clothes and
learning the rounds OF the house.
After supper she went directly TO bed.
because she was tired from her long
Journey.
The next afternoon she wandered
around. picking flowers. chasing but
terfies. and, gathering IN apron full
OF apples. she went down 20 the little
brook. II was nice and cool and she
was enjoying herself when-"HcIlo,"
said a voice. She looked up, but saw
no one.
II say. hello" again came the voice;
this time II seemed 20 come from tho
tree that was across the brook.
Hello yourself" replied Nellie.
where are your
up here IN the tree" said tho voice.
"Come down. she snid.
-Nope." answered the voice. No.
amount OF teasing would make the
voice come down. II was getting late,
20 Nellie said; III I como here tomor-
row win you let me see who You are7"
Maybe" replied the voice. So Mel
lie scampered up the hill and home.
But she was not 90 see the owner OF
the voice tomorrow. for when she got
up the next morning II was raining.
Uncle 10 came In at dinner time
with m invitation for Nellie 20 spend
the afternoon with the Browns. who
lived across the field. slowly she
went upstairs 20 dress.' sorry because
she could not 30 down 10 the brook.
but maybe n would be there some
other time; 10 with this happy thought
IN mind she was soon ready. and
Uncle Jo took her over 20 the Browns.
She wns rather shy. being among
strangers. but Mrs Brown soon put
her nt ease. Molly Brown was Nel-
lies age. and they took to each other
right away. While they were sitting
talking about nothing In particular the
doorbell rang and Molly's mother went
and admitted five young people who
had come 10 spend the afternoon.
Soon a boy about a year older than
herself came In and was introduced.
as Billy Brown. What a good time
she had. and what nice girls and boys
they werei But Billy-where had
she heard that voice7 The afternoon
passed all too quickly and when the
guests rose 10 20 Mrs. Brown shook
hands with them all. and no did Molly
and Billy. When Nellie arrived home
she could not help thinking what
nice boy Billy was. and she blushed
when she thought how he had given
her hand tiny. unnecessary squeeze.
The days that followed were tho
happiest ones she had ever had. Long
rambles with Molly and the Tucker
twins, picnics. and often she would 80
for long walks with Billy. She liked
Billy very much and Billy liked Nellie.
But she did not forget the voice. Ey-
cry day she would go down 10 the
brook and talk and talk with H. She
would tell II OF the nice time she was
having and went 50 fur a. 20 tell IL
OF Billy. Thus two weeks pasaed ON
and Nellie thought she was never go
Ing 10 see the voice. when one day
the voice told her that she would see
II tomorrow. sure. 10 be sure Nellie
was there at the appointed time and
the voice said. If l come down will
you promise 10 give me one thlngf"
Wondering what II could be. but Gu
rious 20 see the voice. as she had
called it. she readily said. "Yes" II
slid down the tree and there stood
Bnlyl
"You--you--f" she gasped. Billy
smiled aud said. "Your promise" shs
was 80 surprised she did not know
what 20 say. Al length she said.
"What do you wantf"
"A kiss" be replied.
~Oh-h" and she turned 10 fee mp
the hill but Billy like a fash caught
her. u was useless for her 20 try 10
GET away. even II she wanted 10.
(copyrleht. 1871. Whistler gyndicafe. Incl