The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-01-23


just at that moment door overhead
slammed, and quick step strobe through
the entry.
Il declare, Mr.. Ayers" said Mother
Serle,as that gentleman made his appear
ance. I'm glad you're safe home !
guess you had good luck fishing this after
uoon.' .
"Well, caught good deal more than
[ expected, was the reply, and as Lottic
pissed him his steaming cup cf Bohea.
Mr. Ayers eyes pcrtiuaciouSIy fastened
on her
Lottie flushed up little, bat it was 10
this way she discovered that Mr.. Ayers
had very 6ue eyes.
And Mr.. Ayers, when he found him.
self in the privacy of his own apartment
that night, after due deliberatlon sUlilo-
quized thus:
"She is 4 taking little thing, and if she
did cut me up right and left, / deserved it
last enough, | guess I'll Just turn ocer ID
new leaf 1t would be worth something
10 get her good opinion let alone anything
else And the dog shan't always be first
either"
Frank Ayers, rich, good-natured good
looking, had never wanted larterers even
for his faults. Was it to be wondered at
then, If he had becope something Of a
coxcomb, aud rather conecited than o: her
wise ? Indeed, 1t was on account Of sUue
wild freak that he was then soiourning in
that quiet country nook for the result
of his foolish caprice had been tempo
rary suspension from college.
We'll. the summer months passed by,
and the young man studied hard in bis
pleasant room, that looked ''over the hills
far away" aud the fragrant cedar bouqhs
that came tapping gently at his window
seemed like friendly voices of encourage
ment.
"Oh, yes, he would take his degree in
the winter, with Steele for his coH panion
would keep bachelors hall and if Miss
Lottie woald allow him once in a while,
the pleasure of run down to the old farm
house, he would be able to pass the re-
mainder OF his natural life both pro6;ably
and happily-at least so he trusted He
would conclude thus, and Lottie, listening
and SIZZLING, and, blu,hlDe, would assent
to everything, and wonder If il was on her
account he had dispensed with those
odious seal-rings. She found herself fos
tering daily a genuine admiration for the
silky, amber moustache, that fell now in
graceful natural curve over his well formed
mouth, while she felt most unaecouutably
a not get vver-abc spite against poor
Seraphina. But then, as We all know,
folks thatare good friends take the strang
est notions son2Jimei
Atla,tthe bright October morning came
on which Frapk vas to bid adieu to the
dull old country tow. But hc cmed
10th to 60, after all, ani when breakfas;
was over, wandered li.tlessiy round the
house, and lounged awdg half hour or 50
under the Syrinea bushes which stood DOW
bare and leafle>S A. he cut his name
elaboratel1 on the rustic seat he wondered
why Lottie dida't come to bid him od
By. She certainly knew that he was 90
Ing, and he had intended all dong. to tell
her, when he left; VIVA, he Lad heard thai
day under the syringas, and thank her for
saying it; for II bad >purred hin on to b.
better; and he hoped rha, she
would always be as good friend to hin;
and then it huStered him greatly TO decide
or no be had better ask her if II
was the dog first now ? And the bachelor
establishment, with Steel for sole compan
ion seemed very duIi and empty picture
bu: when he filed up the void with a ross
checked girls face. with a smiling din
pied mouth and witching hazel ewes, il
was just the thing "That'll be uexl
winter, aud III do il, said he aloud aud
he sauntered down the garden path with
Steel a; his heels "It'S all right If I.
don't see her now I might say something
silly, and it will be better to wait rilI next
winter. She will know then what | can
lo,and it will come soon - add he counted
up the mouths on his finger. "Yes, old
boy, We cah wait until theu, cant We 7"
But where was Steel
He looked around him. Right before
him stood the summer house, embewered
in gorgeous draperiei of woodbinc russet,
aud yellow and crimson That was Sreel's
low whine be heard. Parting the trailing
clusters, little Lottie was seen, clasping
Steel tightly, and hiding hir face in bis
neck.
"Good By, Steele, good BY. Nice Steele
Oh | don't want to let you go; but you
viii take good care of your master, won't
you ?"
"For your sake, Lottic p .
She looked up, startled at the pleading
voice, and feeling that her face might be-
tray her, bid it again in Steele's neck.
But strong hands gently held her OWE
L