Chapter 9:

A month passes and Andrew is fully recovered from his bullet shot and back to work at the bank in Walnut Grove. Andrew and Nancy has more Sunday afternoon buggy rides. One Sunday afternoon Nancy tells Andrew, "I'm graduating in 2 weeks and was thinking that maybe your parents would like to see me graduate."

Andrew says, "I'm sure they would!"

Andrew takes Nancy home from the buggy ride and says Andrew, ''I think I will call your mom and dad and invite them to my graduation."

Nancy gets Andrew's mom Maryann Clark on the phone and says, Hi, Mrs Clark I'm graduating in 2 weeks and would like to invite you and your husband to attend my graduation service."

Maryann says, ''Nancy, We would love to come, We will make our plans to be there."

Nancy, "Great see you then."

Hanging up the phone Nancy remembers she hasn't told Nellie about anything that has happened in the last month or so, so she calls her and says, "Nellie, We haven't talked in a while. Andrew had a rough month. He went to Mankato to cash a bank draft while there the bank was robbed and Andrew was shot in the chest and almost died from blood poisoning. Dr Albert Ingalls at Mayo Clinic saved his life! He is ok now! the crooks are locked up!"

Nellie, "That's horrible, but sure am glad he's ok! how is everything else?"

Nancy, "just fine, I graduate in 2 weeks, you are going to be here to see me graduate?

"Nellie of course!"

2 weeks later the Daltons and the Clarks arrive on the stagecoach. Nancy gives Nellie a big hug and says, "We have missed you since your Christmas visit."

Andrew gives his mom and dad a big hug and Maryann says, "Son you look 100% better you wouldn't even know that you were shot!"

Heading to the restaurant Harriet says, "We have supper prepared."

Eating and chatting at the supper table Nellie says, "My little or not so little sister is graduating tomorrow, so proud of you Nancy!"

Nancy nods and says, "Thank you!" and then Nancy says, ''I think I will wear the dress I wore to the Valentine's dance along with my necklace Andrew gave me."

Andrew smiles and says, "Nancy, that is a good idea you look so pretty in that dress."

The next morning Nellie is helping Nancy with her dress and says, ''Nancy, Andrew was right you look beautiful in this dress."

Nancy, "Thank you! and Andrew is a wonderful guy I hope to marry him someday."

Nellie, Oh, thinking about marriage are we?"

Nancy just smiles and says nothing.

Mrs. Olsen then calls up to Nellie and Nancy and says, "We need to head over to the school the graduation is about to start."

They both say, "Coming Mother.''

Graduation is starting and Miss Plum, the school teacher says as she hands Nancy her diploma, ''Nancy we are all so proud of you and congratulate you and hope for the best for your future."

Nancy smiles and says, 'Thank you Miss Plum." Nancy turns to the crowd and says with a little tear of happiness, ''I want to thank you all! I know I have been a brat growing up but you all where so patient with me!"

The audience all laughs and then they congratulate her.

After the graduation service they all head over to the restaurant for cake and ice cream. Hester Sue brings the cake out and says, ''Nancy congratulations on your graduation."

Nancy, "Oh,Thank you, what a beautiful cake!"

Mrs. Olsen, ''I helped make it."

Hester Sue looks at Mrs. Olsen and Nancy with a grin and a little chuckle, "All she did was stick her finger in the batter."

They all have a good laugh than Nels cuts the cake.

While socializing, William Clark, Andrew's dad says, ''Andrew we forgot to tell you that next Monday through Friday that there is a Banker's convention in Chicago to discuss a new bank law coming in and you should come with us."

Andrew replies, ''Yes father, I heard about that and was planning on going but haven't told Nancy that I was going to be away for awhile.

Nancy than says, "I also I'm going to Chicago next Monday through Friday, for there is an opportunity to hear Mr. Alexander Bell speak about the telephone and how he came to invent it. This is great we won't be apart and we can all travel together!"

Andrew says, ''Wonderful" and hands Nancy her graduation gift and says, "This is your graduation gift and will come in handy next week."

Nancy opens it and it's a new blue and white dress and says, "Thank you it is beautiful, but the best gift I got was a month ago when you came out of surgery. I will wear it next week."

The day is about over and Andrew is talking with his dad and Nels privately and says, "Nels your daughter, Nancy is a fine and beautiful young lady! I would like to ask your permission and blessing for me to ask her to marry me?"

Nels, "Andrew, We know you will take care of her, you are also a fine young man, Harriet and I would love to call you son!"

William says, "Son, you have chosen a fine young lady to settle down with.''

Andrew, ''Thank you dad and Mr. Olsen for your blessings! I plan to ask her next week in Chicago."

To Be Continued...