Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-06-24
The Stolen l0ve-Letters.

In the uncertain Hlckerfng hrellght
pretty Maggie Leslie sat pulling a rose
to pieces. Her sister Kate watched her
few moments impatiently, and then
said: What are you doing, Maggie ?
Tired of your new lover, eh P"
What nonsense! am not tired of
my new lover, but l am angry at my
old one"
Very likely. When n girl has dis
carded a country clergyman with E3OO
year for baronet with E3O, 1000, it is
likely she will be angry Mt the poor
lover troubling her memory"
~ Ishould dismiss the country clergy
man very soon from my memory, if he
permitted me. | never thought Archie
Fleming could have been so mean ~
and Maggie threw the poor tattered
remnant of rose passionat"ly away
from her.
- do not believe Cousin Archie
Fleming could do a mean thing, Mag
gle. You must be mistaken"
=" wish l was. Come closer, Kate,
and l will tell you all about :" ard
the two young girls seated themselves
on low ottoman in a confidential atti-
tude.
"Now Maggie, when and what P"
The when was two evenings ago.
Sir John snd l were coming across the
moor, just as happy as-as anything,
and | thought Archie was in London,
when we met him suddenly as we
turned into the Hawthorn path. And
what do you think They rushed into
each others arms like-like two French
men. do believe they kissed each
other. 1t was John and Archie and
hand-shaking, and How are you old
fellow p and that Kind of thing. until
l was quite disguised. Men going on
in that way are so ridiculous!
"By-and-bye Sir John remembered me.
and supposed Archie knew his fair
parishioner Miss Leslie and Archie
bowed in the most distant manner, and
said he had the honor of being my poor
cousin. Men never keep any thing, and
before we had walked n quarter of a
mile Sir John had contrived to let
Archie know how matters stood be-
tween US"
That was not very pleasant, but OF
course you were off with the old love
before you were on with the new.n
Not exactly. had stopped writing
to Archie. and if he had an ounce OF
sense he might have guessed the rea-
son."
Kate shook her head and looked
grave.
Now, Kate, don't be aggr awaiting
The case is just this. Sir John and
Archie, it seems, are old echool friends,
and Archie has all sorts of romantic no
tions about fidelity to his friend, and
threatens TO tell Sir John how badly
have treated him"
"Then you have seen ArchieP"
Eyes; | sent Davie Baird to tell
him to meet me in the conservatory last
night"
"How imprudent"
| had TO do it. / wanted to coax
Archie to let me off easily, and give me
back all my letters. / must have the
letters, Kitty. Ireally must"
"WellP"
"Well he said some very disagreeable
things-truths he called them-and
cried, and looked Just as pretty as
could. He insisted / was in love with
Sir Johns title and money, and not with
himself; and when said that was not
true, and that / loved Sir John very
dearly, he got quite in temper. 1t is
my belief that he would rather / mar
ried for money than love il don't marry
him. That's the selfishness of men,
Kitty. / wouldn't be as mean for any
thing. And oh, Kitty, he would not
give me back my letters, and 1 must
have them"
Il should not worry about few
IOve-letters."
kitty, you don't know all, or you
would not say that"
Tell me all, then"
II have sent Sir John -the-same
letters, word for word. You know
never was good at composition, and
when Clara Joyce was here, / got her
to write me some beautiful love-letters
She liked doing it, and l thought
might need them. l copied them for
Archie. and they were so clever / copied
them also for Sir John. Now, Kitty, il
Archie should show those letters, as he
said he would, how both of them would
laugh ut mel | could not bear it."
Kate looked very much troubled
Indeed. Maggie, you are right" she
answered. You must have your let.
ters; and IL Archie will not give yor
them, they must be stolen from him
that is all about it. 1t would never dc
TO let him hold such a power over youV
poor little head, and IL would be wors;
after you were married than before it
You are sure that he will not give then
upp"
He said he never would give then
TO me-"
perhaps he has burned them"
"Oh. no, he could never bear to dt
that. Why, he idolizes them, Kitty
Just before he went away he tolC
me that they were laid In rose leaves II
the drawers OF his Indian cabinet"
Every good. Grandfather sent tina
cabinet to the parsonage. dare say /
is exactly like Ito one in his room. /
so, 1t is lik, y grandfather's key vii
open the Minister'S
"Oh, Kate, you burst not do such
thingp
dare, under the circumstances. O
two evils one should choose the least
Anything, almost. Is better than givinl
arejected lover such power over you
It would be different If IL was me. :
would defy him, and take the telling II
my own hands"
II could not do that. Archie nigh
tease me TO death first"
II know, you dear, foolish littl
n.-fN =. "a