Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-02-12
The Belle of Wolf Run.

A company of strolling players IN u
barn. The great space is lighted by
lamps of every description, the most t
ambitious of which is a circle of hoops
stuck full of candles. This does duty
as the grand chandelier, and is quite
effective.
Seated near the stage, before which
hangs green curtain, are two persons
a man and n young girl, whom, even
the Impractical eye might take as rustic
lovers. He is a tall, finely formed
young fellow, with a noble head and
keen, sparkling blue eyes. She is the
beauty of Wolf Run, faultless in figure
and feature, and with n something in
her expression denoting that she is not
quite satisfied with her position, even as
the belle of the village, or her surround
ings.
Margaret Lee had never in her life
seen play, therefore she was prepared
to realize all the emotions of novelty,
terror, wonder, delight, with which n
novice looks on the strut and action of
those who cater to the profoundest
emotions. OF course she forgot where
she was; of course she was dazzled and
terribly stirred at the love scenes, which
were, as usual, exaggerated.
The hero of the drama was n hand
some, worthless rascal, who learned,
before the evening was through, to play
at our unsophisticated little Margaret,
reading her admiration in her eyes, and
enjoying the smiles, the tears, and almost
spoken interest, of the beauty of Wolf
Run.
Pretty good - wasn't it ?" said
Charlie Vance, as he held her feecy red
shawl to wrap about her, at the close
of the performance.
Margaret had no words, she only
gasped: 'Oh, Charlie" as they gained
the door, and caught at his arm; for
their stood the hero of the stage, still in
his bespangled velvet finery, and evil
IDENTIFY stationed at that particular place
in order to catch glance at her lovely
face.
"Confound his impudencel" Charlie
Vance muttered between his teeth.
Margaret shivered little as they lett
the barn. Everybody was laughing
and talking. The soft, clear, round
moon shed its light upon scene OF
sylvan beauty; but the two spoke but
few words until they had reached Mar
garets home square white house set
back garden.
"A little of that goes great ways"
said the young farmer, who had evil
IDENTIFY been thinking the matter over.
They stay here n week or more.
don't care to go again, do you P'
"Oh, do believe / could go every
night" said Margaret, fervently.
They're a hard set, Maggy," said
her lover, little malice in his voice.
% How do you know9 Are you sure
OF that ?" she asked, eagerly and re-
provingly.
"Oh, they're generally thought to be
Well, goodnight. Maggy;" and he
had gone ten steps before 1t occurred to
him that they had parted without q
kiss.
al don't care" he said, sullenly, half
aloud; land that fellow stays at her
uncle's tavern, too. Why should it net
tie me so, anywayw
Now Margaret and her cousin Anne
were almost rs inseparable as sisters. 1t
was with quick beating heart that the
former took her way 10 the tavern next
dav, meeting Anne as usual at the pri-
vate entrance for the family.
"Oh, Magr cried Anne, her eyes
sparkling, you've made n conquest"
What do you mean" asked Mar
garet, her fair face flushing, her pulses
beating tumultously.
Why, YOU know-last night. Oh,
isn't he gloriousi-exquisitep And only
think he asked papa who that very
lovely girl was in pink ribbons in the
second seat-and that was you'll Papa
laughed and told him his niece. and
somebody else said something very
handsome absut you al the table. and
then papa up and said you were engaged
10 Charlie Vance, which sounded so
ridiculous. And give you my word Of
honor the gentleman turned pale"
Nonsensep said Margaret; but the
fattering words had accomplished their
work, and It was not hard 10 persuade
her lovely blushing face did not little
execution.
well. Maggy, what Is IL TO beP"
asked Charlie Vance. sterDly: This was
only n week afferward. All the soft
His eyes had lost their gracious, spark
ling beauty. IL might be that his
cheeks were q triHe thin, and certainly
his dark face was haggard
"Oh, Charlie"-she stood on the
other side OF the spacious hear.h. droop-
ing and timid, her face very white, and
the large eyes startled In expression,
like those of n frightened lawn.
You are changed, Maggy. l don't
say it alone. God help us both. It's
talked about all over the place. Last
night, when heard something mt Ollie
ways. ! felt like going home and blow
ing my brains out"
"Oh, ChrrlieIr
The voice was more plaintive, and the
little figure drooped yet lower.
"And IL all comes ofthat Internal VII.
lain. It all comes Of your going back
and forth to the hotel. and with yonr
g ousin Anne, to see him"