The Centre reporter. [volume] (Centre Hall, Pa.) 1871-1940, 1878-01-10

One evening, Just at sunset. Mr.. Rer-
tram droveup 20 the door, and asked for
Miss Kitty.
She came ~ the door, and ABSOLUTELY
danced with pleasure when he invited
her and her friend out for drive.
II took the girls but few moments to
put ON their wraps and take their places
in toe the carriage.
As Mr.. Bertram took his seat in irout
of them he said 30 Kitty
- am sorry | never have thought
before that drive might be enjoyed by
some of my young friends. l have been
very selfish in appearance, | fear; hut II
was in reality owing a. my poor appre-
citation OF my lonely rides. IL never
occurred 10 me that they could be made
endurable 10 pleasant society.
Time flew ON wings
kitty's tongue, as usual, was ON
vivacious motion; and Lucrela now and
then chimed in, although her enjoyment
was most of the time too deep for wor,is.
Suddenly from the roadside rushed a
tiny Skye-terrier. evidently thinking his
mission lay at the hores' feet; but IA
shrek and a writhing bundle of fur soon
convinced the occupants of the carriage
that il was all mistake on the puppy's
part
With faint cry Kitty put her hand
kerchiei to her eyes.
Not SO LucretiA
please, Mr.. Bertram, have the car
rage stopped. must see II the poor
little thing is killed
Now, Cree. none oi your old
tricks" said Kitty, petualantly. Il
really believe, turning appeahngly 10
Mr.. Bertram, "that If Won don't inter
I fere. she'll bring the horrid little thing
into the carriage l shall faint, I'm
/ sure shall. il she does. She always
had a weakness for the MANNED Of
creation"
Then, Miss LAnglou, perhaps your
friend may number me- among her
proteges. I can claim a place in that
rank.
[ Kitty blushed-a vivid, uncomforta-
bic. unbecoming red.
"Oh, Mr.. BertrAm, beg your par-
don / never once thought
lyon are forgiven, Miss Kitty. In
your very Inconsistencies of treadlng
upon dangerous ground lies tine receipt
of cure for what is perhaps a morbid
sensitiveness TO my infrmity.
( Iucretia had not heard these remarks.
She had alighted and gone 10 the poor
4 little victim of self-confdence Taking
him mp tenderly, she found that his
injuries were confined 10 broken leg !;
SO, with much petting and soothing she
took her delicate cambria handkerchief
and bound up the wounded member.
; Coming to the carriage, she lifted up a
pleading face.
May / take him in Set-he Is
somebody's pet. Look at his collar. II
is Of silver, and his nAme-Fldget-is
engraved upon il. Some one is mourn
ing for his loss. We can advertise to-
morrow.
OF course the htte animal was admitted
on the prayer of such an interesting
special pleader, and the party were soon
speeding homewards.
All were strangely quiet, even Kitty ;
chAttering tongue had received sudden
uuietus, and Mr.. Bertram was IN a brown
study.
At last Lucretia looked mp and met
his eyes fixed with a strange lntentness
upon her face.
81 know you think me very silly, Mr..
Bertram, but can't help it. l shouldn't
have had moments comfort for days
if had left that poor little thing TO
suffer"
4" No, Miss Armstrong, you are mis-
taken about my thoughts. MAY I call
- A.. ,,,l $780, t1 ..r,, - ,.,
more fully than / can do now.
Lueretia looked at him, but thinking
by his expression that he was quizzing
her, said indifferently
81 suppose you wish. 10 classify nv
folly by some learned name Seach the
records, by all means, and be sure 10
relieve nv suspense in the morning"
81 will most assuredly do So"
The low, deep voice had an earnest
ness uncalled for by Nthe occasion
Lucretia thought, and then dismissed
the matter from her mind and gave
herself mp to the enjoyment of her
drive.
According 10 promise, the next morn
ing Mr.. Bertram called and asked for
Miss Armstrong, and was informed that
Lucretia had taken her portfolio with
her, and strolled of into the park that
lay Just behind the residence, and into
which any OF the family or their friends
were at liberty to wander whenever they
felt disposed
Here. seated on q small mound, evi-
dently lost in thought. he founG Lucre-
tia. and, before she was fairly aware of
his presence, he had thrown himself
down at her feet, and pronounced her
name.
She looked mp with start, and then,
observing that his face was very pale,
she cried:
Are you not well, Mr.. Bertram +?
Can do anything for you?"
He gave a sudden start as he spoke,
and his face lost its pallor in an agitated
rush of color
"Yes, Miss Armstrong, you can if you
will Will you forgive me If / ask you
to listen 10 me while / tell vou my mo-
tive in coming here this morning Z"
Lucretia. in silent wonder at his agita-
ton, settled herself TO listen To what he
might have 10 say.
Miss Armstrong; -Lucretia-you see
before yOn man who seemed at one
time to have been selected for fortunes
favorite. Wealth, kind friends and
health, joined 10 an unblemished
physique, were mine until the accident
occurred which made me a cripple.
Until very lately have been contented.
notwithstanding my misfortune, although
had given up all thought Of ever being
Other than ana lonely bachelor.
But have fallen under n new influence,
that Of love, and it rests with you TO de-
termine whether my future is to be hap
py or miserable"
His meaning, by this time, began to
dawn upon Lucretia.
She rose abruptly.
"No, hear me through ~
AS he spoke he took her hand gently,
and said
"Please sit down, and be your own
quiet, kind self until / finish nv story.
even il your heart cannot respond 10 the
overpowering passion which fills mine
with your sweet imagine TO the exclu-
sion of all other thoughts and feeling. /
know am not a fitting lover to offer
myself" -
Lucretia put out her hand with an
imperative gesture:
"Do not say that. IL is not 80 ANY
girl might be proud of such an offer"
"