Under Fire: A Tale of New England Village Life

had been far greater than he anticipated; and what a boy

in fact, had he at this time possessed no friend save the single one whose arm now rested upon his own, he would have been fully satisfied. Perchanc

companion, as they walked leisurely toward her h

y to his side, he felt all the pride of a hero in performing such delightful, if not dangerous, escort duty. But indeed t

ilar circumstances, with such delightful company, the reader himself would perhaps have used every honorable device to consume as many minutes as possibl

discuss the evening party and those present. Young

Matthew?" asked Nellie, clinging closel

discuss him," re

will say nothing against him? Surely you can g

are parti

what

t I dislike to spea

you were so friendly that

ards me. Didn't you notice that wh

ot hear his remark

bly wanted me to hear it-but

ed Nellie sympathetically; "and he was

zing with him, and her criticism of his rival, made him almost wish De Vere were again present to make

e what made him so unci

N

you

se he wa

have been very much pi

would s

ed it, I wonder?" asked N

ly want me t

o be su

't you

I coul

were to tr

N

e more egotis

do you me

me happy, and gave me the pleasantest evening of my life," repli

al," replied Miss Nellie, continuing, with feminine perversity, to feign innocence and ig

ery plain-and say that yo

his companion. As it was, he guessed the truth, and realized that the effect of his words was

med to Fred-and her father and mother had heard them

ing, and for escorting her safely home. In return, Fred gave her hand a slight pressure from the impulse of his honest, manly heart, t