Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-11-06


mechanically, unable to withdraw her
attention from her husband and his
companion, until, seeing something in
Miss Bsden's glance at herself which
she did not like, her pride again awoke,
and she turned, as with sudden de-
termination, to the gentleman ut her
side. He was q recent conner TO the
town-very pleasant and handsome
and Nellie Palmer forthwith began TO
try and make herself agreeable to him.
He looked 80 pleased, and was himself
so agreeable, that il soon cost her no
effort to converse; and then her old
lively spirits returned; and, to her sur.
prise, she found that she was enjoying
herself. Her husband didn't much
| notice this, but Miss Baden did; and
her Irritation with Mr.. Palmer lost
much of its charm, now that his wife
did not appear mortified and jealous,
and that people couldn't see that she
Z was so. Wherefore Miss Baden grow
indifferent, and Mr.. Palmer bethought
himself to look after his wifo. Not
finding her looking over the photograph
albums, nor talking TO deaf old Mr..
Brown, neither in any of the "holes and
COllSla htIlNh bllc nthN "Oht VI lulb W
frequent, he became rather puzzled.
"She's got in the dumps again, sup
pose," was his thought, "snd is trying
TO disguise it under pretense of being
i'll. Dare say shall find her crying or
fainting away in the conservatory, with
fans and smelling bottles round her-or
perhaps she's gone home"
AT that instant n little laugh at his
elbow startled him, and, turning, ho
saw Nellie, bright and flushed, talking
to very handsome man, who appeared
quite absorbed in her. Mr.. Palmer
stared O moment at the unconscious
couple.
why, the deucel" was his thought;
what on earth can they have been talk
ing about all this while?" Then sud
denly meeting his wife's eye. he smiled,
and whispered, Enjoying yourself,
Eell?"
"Oh, yes. dear. delightfully."- Don't
trouble yourself about me, pray"
He passed on, but didn't go far, and,
as he stood whispering soft nothings to
sentimental Kate Marshall, his eyes
occasionally wandered to his wife. How
pretty she was looking and how gay she
was, and how coquettishly she was ex-
changing light repartee with that Girt-
ing fellow, Tom Harrison. And all the
while the handsome stranger never left
her side. II was perfectly evident that
he admired her.
IF she we're not 10 married woman he
would certainly fan in love with her
she-my wife," and he felt q little re.
gppf ffut ~ fftR a lv,,irotinV,
Nellie Palmer lad never sung more
sweetly, or danced more gracefully than
upon this evening"
Don't you think, Nell, you've danced
enough for ono night?" said her hus-
hand, toward the close of the evening;
"for a married woman" he added.
Perhaps SO" she answered, cheerful
ly; but I've enjoyed myself so muchl
Really, l almost forgot that was a mar
ried woman, and felt like girl again"
And behaved like one" he said,
rather coolly. "Who il that fellow
that has been in attendance upon you
all the evening7' he inquired, as they
walked down stairs.
THAT remarkably handsome man,
with the expressive dark eyes, do you
mean7"
Il never noticed his eyes or that he
was at all handsome" he answered,
stiffly.
"oh, I thought you meant Capt.
Lowell. OF the artillery. All here he
is-just one moment, dear-I quite for
got"
And Nellie spoke few words to tho
Captain in passing, Of which her hus-
band could distinguish only something
about that book"
Upon my word" he said. sarcastic
ally, you appear very intimate al
ready
Because, love, we've discovered that
we're congenial spirits. We like tho
same things-boOks, music, scenery; in.
deed, everything have the same
opinions on most subjects. You know
how pleasant il is TO meet with one
who can comprehend you-not your
outer self merely, but with q sort of soul
sympathy"
Soul fddlesticks'
"You never did have much senti-
ment, Bob" sighed Nellie, in an injured
tone.
"Sentiment be hangedI Come, Mel.
lie, DO quick with your wrappings. It
has been a stupid evening, and shall
be glad to get home and to bed"
When Robert Palmer came homo next
day, he found his wife, not crying. as
before, in her bedroom, but in the par
lor, practicing a new song.
Capt Lowell called this morning."
sho said, "and have promised to sing
this for him at Mrs. Campbells."
Ahl" he answered, with an expires.
sion of indifference; and, as his wife
again struck mp with the first few notes,
he muttered 10 himself, "Confound
Capt. LOWELL"
At Mrs. Campbell's. Capt. Lowell was
again in attendance upon pretty Mrs
Palmer; and then other gentlemen dis.
covered her attractions, her piquanoy,
and coqucttishness, md firtdbienoss:
and so, in very few weeks, Mrs. Pal.
mer was a belle She did not seern In