Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1880-08-19

wouldn't marry me. AtIee used to
have the name of being too leve1-headed
for anything like that. He wouldn't be
such fool, would hep"
The small brown bat went slightly
upward with sudden movement. "I
don't know" said the owner of 1t why
you should call it being fool"
You know better than do about it,
of course" assented the white-haired
critic. Perhaps that's exactly what
he's done. Is itf"
II heard some one saying they thought
he was disappointed in love-" Bertha
answered, rapidly and ngramatically.
"And you don't blame him?" haz-
arded he, indulgently.
'tNo, don't. 1t shows that he feels
deeply, anyway"
"Well, now," continued the old man,
with drawl which indicated an ap-
preaching relapse into garrulity, it's
queer enough should have met ye, ain t
itp And you from Glyddon, where /
used to live; and learning news of Atlee
this way. Queer enoughl Well, l must
see his folks when git back, and find
out if they know where he's gone.
After this they talked of other things,
until they came to Wingfield, the end of
the journey, he making himself agree
able all the way, SO that when the mo-
ment came for parting, Bertha was
aware that the journey had seemed very
short, and that her casual acquaintance
was really an entertaining one.
" Maybe I shall see you again, :"
he suggested, as they descended to the
platform together.
s.Do you ever come to Glyddon P" she
inquired, with polite reserve.
f'Guess [ shall before long, he re-
piled. You wouldn't be surprised,
suppose, if old Clifford should drop in to
see you some dayp And now ! think of
it, what's your name? Will you tell
meP''
She told him, and he promptly wan
dered off, after giving her nod, appar-
entity intent upon his own affairs.
should think he might have said good
bye little more as if lie was interested" !"
unused Bertha, not wholly pleased at
having him appear to dismiss her so
easily. And yet, what elsecou mere
stranger, fellow conversationist of an
hour, doP Besides, Bertha reflected that
old men could not be expected to show
the same interest and gallantry as-wen,
as Guy and other young men,
When she got home that evening, she
bethought her 20 inquire of her father
whether he had ever heard of an old
man named Clifford who had lived in the
village Mr.. Finch dinly recollected
him years before. ''But / thought he
was dead" he added.
mo; met him to-day in the train, !"
his daughter informed him, "and had a
very pleasant chat. He was so NICE
I do so like old men. Somehow when
they pay you compliments it doesn't
embarrass you, and they seem to be true;
for what can an old man expect to gain
by paying compliment that he doesn't
mean?"
I'm afraid the appetite for feminine
approval only increases in US with age, !"
laughed Mr.. Finch.
In less than week from the time of
his departure the village was aston.
ished by Guy Atlee's reappearance
" I went up to Woodruff to see my
folks" was the explanation; and he
expected to make light of the manner of
his going. But though his escapade
was good deal criticised, he appeared
to have gained rather than lost in pub
lie esti :. alton by it.
When he went to see Bertha Finch
he declared that jealousy had brought
him back. Il learned of Irritation
you were carrying on with.an old gen.
tleman in the cars-old Clifford; and
knowing your preference for mature
men. thought my chances, if I had
any left, were in danger
"You are, very impertinent to sup
pose you have any chances" was the
retort to this.
"But is it true about Gifford?' he
persisted
"It is true that met him. Oh, he's
perfect lovely old mani
He would be very much aattered if
he knew you said that. Snail l tell
him?"
"You can if you like; don't care, .
said Bertha, airily. 81 believe he's
coming to call on me'
Did he tell you SOP Then he prob
ably wants to sell you some pills.
" Mr., Atlee, what in the world do you
meanP'
Simply that he's a patent-pill ped
dler"
How disgusting!n exclaimed the
fastidious maiden. Never mind, he's
a real pleasant old fellow"
" It's part OF his trade to be So" ex-
planned Guy. g But 1 Judge, from your
admiration for him, that you still scorn
poor young boys like me''
" l never said scorn,'n she an
swered, and / think it was cruel of
you to make us all think you had per
haps committed suicide. It was COW
ardly to make me feel l might have
caused it."
g didn't mean it so,' he pleaded.
Z" | hardly thought. 1 wanted to go
away out of sight, and / didn't want
any search. Couldn't you forgive me
for being foolish, and, as you call it,
cowardlyP'"
s' | don't know"
You see, didn't suppose, from what
you said, that you cared what became
of me-"
The little face that so often seemed to
be looking down was really bent with
some confusion at that moment; but
its owner, obeying whim, said, Per
haps / didn't, after all. -
w (y1u,c r,1anror obap nod ~ oroo