“It is worse than that, mother; I will tell you all, as no true mother would advise her child to do wrong. I will tell you all, but do not think for one moment I was telling you an untruth when I told you I could not stay longer. I could not under the circumstances, and it seemed a long time to leave you here alone. Well, mama, now for my story: My cousins made a party for me last Friday evening, as you know Friday was my birthday, and invited all the young people in that vicinity, and among them was a rich young man, highly esteemed for his true manliness. Cousin Warren says he has known him ever since he can remember, as they have grown up and trudged to school together, and says he never caught him in a lie. That is saying a good deal about him. Well, the Monday before the party cousin went to town and I went down to a beautiful lake on uncle’s farm to gather flowers. I sat down on the brink of the lake and some of the flowers fell into the water. I was wondering how to get them when the same young man spoken of came and fished them out. He gave me his card, and the night of the party he told me the same old, old story.”
“What did you tell him Nettie?”
“Oh, nothing in particular. The most I told him at last was if he proved true to me in the future I was his.”
“Nettie, dear, do you really love him?”
“Yes mother, with my whole heart. But I have run away and if he really loves me he will hunt me up,” said Nettie, her face beaming with smiles.
“Nettie,” said her mother, “pray what is the name of your admirer?”
“Paul Burton, of Pine Island. The name was given to the farm many years ago. It is a beautiful farm enclosed by the forest, and there is a little lake on it; and in the center pine trees are growing. I was out with cousin and he took me by there.”
Nettie was speaking with enthusiasm and hearing her mother repeating the name she turned and noticing her mother’s pale face said, “Mother, what ails you? Are you sick?”
“No, Nettie, the name sounds familiar. What kind of a looking man is this Paul Burton, and what is his age?” asked the mother.
“He is tall—about six feet—well proportioned, his eyes are dark blue, and he has auburn hair, and is a picture to behold,” answered Nettie.