Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-03-18

did you steal that quarter, Joep or
are you thinking of saving it for your
girlP" and Joe heard his gruff laugh as
he stumbled up the stairs.
A sitting-room, bright and warm,
CHEEKY and enticing enough TO tempt n
wandering god to leave his high Ofym-
pus and yearn for mortality. Fit god
dess for such shrine was Blanche Carl
son, reclining in a great chair, screen
ing her face from the heat of the burn
ing logs with silken toy-banner, and
looking the incarnation of all the do
mestic virtues. Her robe of grey-hued
satin, outflow in front, revealed the ex-
quisite contour OF her throat through
the dainty lace; and from the wealth of
braided hair to the tiny foot nesting in
its cushion, she looked the picture of a
mind Mt ease"
The handsome man standing just Mt
her side felt his heart warm and beat
the faster, as il had many times done in
her sweet presence. For while there
was silence. Steady, concentrated
thought well became the fine, clear-cut
face; and Guy Carlson was not one to
hurry his pleasures. He was one who
could wait for the blossoming of an aloe,
and who would not weary of an hun
dred years! At last, with an evident
effort, she threw off thought and lifted
her eyes To his with glance so tender
and witching that it drew him to her in
stantly.
Zone kiss!" and he bent his head to
give the welcome caress. "What magic
has held your thoughts so fast that you
have had neither look nor word for
poor mep"
Poor you? You are spoiled. pc
you too much" came the answer. give
with eyes and mouth fairly dazzling in
their merry, coquettish love. With a
soft, happy laugh he caught her up and
pillowed her head on his arm, drinking
in deep draughts of the love-light that
only himself knew slept in those won
drous eyes. Then, standing with sup
porting arm and tender touch on her
soft hair, he renewed his question.
But of what were you thinking,
darlingP"
"Oh. | had forgotten. l Yves think
ing of Linette."
Linette. your maid ?" raising his
eyebrows little in astonishment, vet
content To talk on any subject that in
terested her.
itS, uuJ, my HlAlu. one Is an
enigma to me. Don't laugh when tell
you that she is one of the most perfecs
ladies ever met. What puzzles me is
not the fact itself-of that | am assured
but whether il is natural or artificial.
Is il instinct that tells her everything n
lady wants done-the incest way of do
ing it, and, while she performs her
duties unerringly, keeps her above and
aloof from the other servants ?"
You are not in the habit of studying
your servants, and his amusement was
betrayed by laughing eyes looking into
hers.
" To-day" she resumed. 81 gave her
piece Sf torn music to sew. 1t was n
difficult concerto of Schubert's. After
few moments ] chanced to look up
from my book, and she was sitting with
the music open before her, intently
reading. If you ever saw a person
reading, whose whole intellect seemed
concentrated on the book. you know how
she looked. did not let her see that /
noticed her. That girl plays, and plays
well. am sure of it."
Guy kissed her on brow and cheek
and lips, before he answered:
What AN enthusiastic little woman
/ do believe that you have n princess in
disguise. Will that content you9 Sit
here and dream your pretty fancies all
you will. / am going cut only for an
hour. Goodbye for so long"