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

with such delightful manp He might
improve me in your eyes,"
"Oh, yes, he would do you ever SO
much good" she assured him.
I'll be on the lookout for him." said
the young man, cheerfully. Good
night.n
He sauntered down the lane toward
the woods, and Bertha remained stand
ing under the apple tree where he had
left her, enjoying the rising sunset light.
Thus employed, and idly pulling to
pieces bit of grass, she did not notice
the approach of another person, until an
aged voice close by her hailed her with,
"Good-evening, Miss Finch" seeming
almost to prOlOng Atlee's Goodnight, -
which was still in her ears.
1t was Clifford.
She turned her head and greeted him
with decided GOODNESS.
Glad to see ye at last, he continued
sitting down on stone. "It's awful
warm" And he removed his felt hat,
to sponge out the interior carefully with
bandana which he produced for the
purpose. did you get those pillsP
First-rate to brace up with this wealth
er. Good for lassitude, rheumatism,
gout, neuralgv, headache-but l sup
pose you read the billp'
"No. I haven't yet.' announced
Bertha, with threatening brevity.
Now that disappoints me-" said
Clifford. You don't know their vir-
tues. Why, my second wife. she
couldn't get along without them"
Horrid old wretch!' commented his
listener, internally, and proceeded aloud !:
You mean they saved her HfeP"
Yes, yes," returned the dealer, de-
Gberately, " they did-as long as she
lived"
"Well, mine seems to be pretty well
saved without them," said the girl;
"and anyway don't have any of those
troubles that you mention. So l don't
think need the pills"
Not just now, maybe" Clifford ad-
mitted; "buE then you won't always be
so young as you are now, and you're
bound to have rheumatism. You'll be
an old woman before you know it, and
an ounce of prevention's worth pound
of cure"
ST think I'll wait" said Bertha, find
ing her venerable idol very Tepulsive
on this second interview; and if you'll
excuse me now, Mr.. Clifford, must go
into the house."
To get the box ?" he inquired. Gall
right. But wish you'd wait minute.
I've got something particular to say to
you"
Something particular?"
Yes. Thinking of that young Atlee,
| made some inquiries, and, as far as /
could see, you are the young lady,"
What young lady? Anyway, Mr.
Atlee has come back now.n
Oh yes, | know that. But you never
fancied him much, and / guess he don't
stand in the way"
81 don't understand what you're talk
ing about"
That's just what I've come to now. I"
said Clifford. Pm sort of lonely, but
I've got some property laid by, and I'm
looking round for wife. WHAT do you
say to meP''
''You! think you are horrible y
Bertha cried, frankly AN old, old
man like you, that been twice married,
looking for wifel' She recoiled invol-
unfairly.
There's nothing like an old fellow
that knows his own mind, and the ways
of the world" he argued. Then sud
deniy-Bertha could hardly believe il
true-he dropped on his knees. "Won't
you have meP" he entreated.
She moved toward the house rapidly,
as ifescaping from hideous sight.
Stopl Btop!" cried the ancient
suitor. in a remarkable vigorous voice.
"i If you do that I'Ii tear all my hair
out"
Something in the tone arrested
Bertha Finch's flight, and she looked
around At the same instant the anoma-
lous old man, standing up very tall,
flung his entire head OF white hair at
her feet. and stood revealed, felt hat in
hand, as Guy Atleei
She covered her face in confusion,
but both of them burst into q hearty
laugh the next instant, as he advanced
toward her This is more foolish than
my disappearance" Guy was confassing,
but the temptation was too great.
Are you angryP"
g 1t was you all the time?n demanded
she, still slightly bewildered.
Or course. The real Clifford died a
couple of years ago. That day in the
train l was just going to get out here to
try my experiment, when | saw you at
the depot, and you walked right in to sit
down next to me-"
Bertha turned hot and cold as she ran
over the car conversation in her mind to
see whether she lad committed herself
in any way.
You have rejected me twice now, %
continued Guy, coming very close. and
standing in tall humility before her :
"once for beng too young, and once for
being too old. Don't you think you
could make sort of compromise now,
and take me apart from my age, as q
man who is willing to devote himself to
you, young and oldp You are not
angryp"
NO." said Bertha, looking down
very much indeed. Il have been fool
ish too, Guy"
She made the compromise.-Harper's
BGsGr.