Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-03-11
on the way. and accepted him. with his

the house, and while they were with |
her their own house that had never |
been insun ed, and their few bonds that
had never been registered, were burned
together, aud of course they had to stay.
But Osric dismissed the nurse and the
second girl the next day, and Evelyn
did the work, and succeeded in getting
her classes. and attending TO them be-
sides. At the end of every week she
paid her board to Julia; she considered
that her work in the house was fair
return for her mothers, in her poor
health and old age; and they kept out
OF the way in their room together all
they could. AS for poor pale Julia, she
was a nonentity and a shadow, sick n
part of the time and with no spirit at
any time; she knew that home was not
happy place, but she could not bear to
blame her husband, and gradually came
to Join him in blaming Evelyn, who
might make things very different for
everybody If she would only marry Mr.
Bryce-Mr. Bryce, whose half million
was mt the feet of this young beauty for
her to pick up and enrich them all
Mr.. Bryce, who had met her at tie
house of one of her pupils, who had
made Osric's acquaintance purposely TO
gain an ally in his siege, and concerning
whom neither Osric nor Osric's wife, nor
Osric's mother-in-law in fact, ever after
ward gave her any peace; for the one
saw business opportunities for himself
the other saw peace in the house, and the
third saw kindness. escape and liberty.
Now what's the use, Juliaf" Evelyn
once exclaimed. Marry the manp /
can't! / won't! How can you want me
TOP"
"The idea." said Julia. "of letting
such chance rs that slip through your
fingers!"
"The idea of not selling myself"
"Of letting that artful widow. that
Kate Grey, outgeneral you and come in
the mistress of those mil llionsm
It's only half million"
"Only half a millionm
"Well, we'll stick to the truth. And
Mrs. Grey is his cousin, and loves him
to distraction. | don't see why. But
she always has. She's welcome"
"How can you be so unnatural, when
you might do so much for your familyF
You'd marry him soon enough" cried
Julia, through her angry tears, elf his
name was Pierre Gilland"
And then Evelyn rose and left the
room swiftly. But where should she
where she could be alone for n single
sob; for Osric was here, and his chill
dren were there, and one does not at all
times wish even ones mother TO see the
tears with which she has no sympathy.
There was always all out doors; she
threw her shawl over her head, and ran
out into the street 1t was pleasant
summer night. She moved aleng
quickly, thinking only of walking away
from her trouble-the trouble of an old
love for the handsome, headstrong boy
who had been the friend and companion
and lover of all her years, who had re
monstrated with her one day when he
heard that Osric was calling frequently
ut the house, and storming with resent
ment at the gales of laughter with
which she met every sentence he uttered
about it, had marched out, only TO meet
Osric in the hail, in the act of taking
from his pocket little solitaire ring,
which Pierre hadn't n doubt was Tor
Evelyn, and Of which Julia, as she used
to turn. it on her finger. never had
doubt that it was not a rea stone. And
Pierre had left the town for the Pacific
coast that night; and II she had wished
to write to tell him of his absurd mis-
take, she had no address, and she only
and then catching n rumor of him Mt his
work laying out some railway up under
the clouds of the mountains of Peru.
But she did not wish to write to him
the man who would think for a moment
that she would become Osric's wife de-
served nothing Of her had only made
haste TO seize his opportunity to leave
her, she felt. And crying forlornly TO
herself, she was hurrying along, she
knew not where, when all at once she
found herself stopped by an insolent
man, and a couple of wretches barred
the way, catching her hand, pulling her
shawl. leering in her face, while her
cheeks burned, and her heart stood still
and her voice failed her at their ribal-
dry. And never was she so glad or
thankful in her life rs when a giant form
loOmed before her, and couple OF pow
erful blows sent the rascais spinning into
the gutter, and Mr.. Bryce had tucked
her little arm under his, and was taking
her home in safety, and no questions
asked. How kind was How good
he wasi How rich he wasl From that
moment she knew she was going to
marry Mr.. Bryce.
But MIR. Bryce was very gentle about
il. When he had her promise, he seemed
to be content with that, and TO be will
ing TO let her learn to love him before
he demanded more But she couldn't.
try rs she would. The idea grew more
and more rep1gnant; only the sight of
her mothers happiness in it made her
hope that the love might come when
needed. Yet, although that happiness
of her mothers was something very
touching for her to see. nevertheless, in
all her tremor and terrors, she could
never help laughing at the sudden re-
spect and Difference that Osric began t.
pay her.
$50 you are really going to marry my
cousinP" said Mrs. Grey, when he |
brought her to call on Evelyn. and left |
her Mt the doOr.
Il suppose so." said Evelyn.
You suppose sol Don't you knowe" |
asked the pretty widow, nesting in her |
laces.
II have promised TO marry him."
said Evelyn, then. looking up in the |
sudden hope of some help. some SYM