The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-02-22

trude. ''I'm afraid you don't know wha
you are bringing upon yourself Having
declared yourself SO much in favor of the
most perfect luxury in life,' we young
ladies may have you quite at eur mercy
According to your assertion, | doubt il
you could resist the reward of kiss from
pretty girl who might be suing fol-
a favor. Could you ?"-"Yes," he re.
piled.
"HoE sc?" she asked.
because a kiss given in that way
would be of little value" said Mr. Cheston.
81 consider that a very unkind speech,
coming as it does from the lips of a man
who is well aware that kisses are ladY's
favorite brlbe," replied Gertrude, flushed,
but laughing. at is a most uagallant
speech, Mr.. Cheston; you must stand
trial for punishment"
IL will make it short by choosing Rose
Lawton for M Judge" he relpied. laugh
ing, aud glancing up into the smiling
eyes of the little beauty.
"Your chastisement shall be to con-
fess whom you kissed las:," said she,
gaily.
That's not fair" he said
"Why 2" she demanded quickly.
"Because," said he, "the lady is pres
ent, and the punishment would rather
fall upon her than me-" Whereupon
they all burst into a merry laugh.
"Well, then, you can tell whom you
intend to kiss next" said Rose.
"That will not do, either" said he
IT should never be able to put uy inten-
tions into effect"
"Do you keep an account of your kisses
as you do your expenses, Cheston ?"
called out Mr. Maynard.
"Yes,'' replied Mr.. Cheston, quietly.
"Now | have it I" cried Rose hawton.
"You shall tell us how many ladies you
have kissed during the last FIVE years"
81 will do SO on condition that ny
word will not be doubted" he said
gravely.
"We will believe you, certainly" said
Rose, "Now listen, COED folks"
"Not one," said Mr.. Cheston, quietly !;
upon which everybody locked astonisbed.
ooh, Mr. Cheston, you amaze US '
cried Rose.
Hugh is probably faithful to some
fair lady who favored him before" said
Mr.. Anslie, who had been listening qui-
atIv far eonn porneptr
Exactly" said Mr.. Cheston, rising
with a bow, and turning away to some
one who called hin impatientIy:
Oh, the significant glances and ex-
of wonder that was circulated
through the group after his departure
"And what are you thinking of, little
said Mrs. Wilson, bending toward
NE. Your cheeks are as red as roses
She would have been overwhelmed
with astoniShment if | had told her.
x
Three weeks passed, end Mr.. Cheston
and I we're on no more intimate terms
than We had been on that first evening.
We rarely met except at the table OF in
the drawing room of an evening, and he
seldom addressed me when we did meet.
By degrees overcame my shyness aud
regarding him. He had
thought, the romantic incl
dent of nv childhood, which had always
had such charm for me, and | wondered
at myself for ever supposing that he had
remembered it beyond the moment. 1t
made me little sad to know that all nv
pleasant thoughts concerning it were
castles in the ir,and slightly humiliating,
taken in connection with his polite in-
difference to me, to know that those thots'
we're SO many.
Mr. Cheston was great lion among
he party at "The Naples" The ladies
liked him; the gentlemen we're jealous of
lin while they strove to initiate him
Everybody talked of him f.; everybody ad. |
nired him, .either:: r::secrctly or openly.
The summer wore gradually away. |
Several of our party had returned home,
nd one clear Sebtember morning Mr..
Jheston informed Mr.. Anslie at the
breakfast table that he should be obliged
o return to town the next morning. tt
frightened me to know how shocked and
aimed I was, and at the first opportunity
rose and left the room.
That evening when the drawing-room
las deserted by the few that remained of
be gay company, and l could hear their
oices far down the moonlit park, strolled
ut into the dark. and silent room, and
ank upon a cushioned seat. Instantly
ONE one started up in the duskv light,
nd coming forward, sat beside me. 1t
7as Mr. Cheston..
'cMattie,' said he, ~ intend going
way before six o'clock to morrow morn
ng, and shall probably not see you again.
did not reply, and be continued
Haven't right to ask for goodbye