Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-08-11


weak minded young man, you know,
whom his friends have boarded there. I
never have happened to see him before,
but they tell me he is quite harmless,
and when / saw him standing there in
the rain, making no effort to go one way
or the other, felt sorry for him, and
brought him home"
"What Carlin's idiot ?" shouted
Charley, in very evident CONSERVATION.
"Yes, Carlin's idiot, if you will cali
him so-which is very rude and unchris.
tian of you," retorted Matte "But the
trouble is, now, how to get rid OF him.
They say he never will go away unless
you put him ont by main force"
Charley, the inconsiderate wretch, in
dulged in low, prolonged chuckle.
"Now you have it 7" said he. Gwen
wait little, until the dcluge holds up,
and I'll see how l can get You ont Of
your dilemma"
But Mr.. Clifton Durundc waited for
no such denoucment. He, the pink of
Fifth avenue fashion, the mold of New
York form, to be taken deliberately,
and in cold blood, for Carlins IDIOT! II
was too much for any mans philosophy;
and, catching up his sketching port
folio and hat, he rushed ont into the rain.
perhaps needed the lesson" he
said, to himself "but ii was rather a
sharp one. Carlns idiot, indeedr
He got home to Castloton Hall, where
he was the guest of Mr.. Alberiquc Cas-.
tie, just as superb rainbow was arch
ing the dripping woods, and the sun
broke in blaze Of glory from the west.
1t had been long, rainy walk and
as he walked he had thought of only
two things-Carlin's idiot and Matte
Willetts fair, serious face.
How she piticd met" hc said, TO
himself, There was serene, gracious
compassion in every word she spoke,
every glance she bestowed upon me. !
might have known il wasn't intended
for my own personality clumsy, con.
ccited blockhcad that / was 80
Lillian" he said, to Miss Castle, that
evening, have you invited Miss vii.
lett to your party next week 2
Matte Willctt?" said Lillian, knit.
ting together her pretty brows. "Oh,
yes She is old Farmer Willctts grand.
daughter, and she sings cxquisitcly, and
accompanies herself with taste on the
guitar. She is a very sweet, cultivated
girl. But what do you know about ner,
Clifton?"
"Oh," said our hero, cyasiycly, u
have chnnced to hear OF her in my pcre.
grinations. And who is Charley
"He is her brother" said Lillian
Castle; and then Mr.. Durauic felt bet.
ter.
But it wa not without = certain mali.
cious satisfaction that hc bowed low to
Matte Willctt docking Ioyclicr than
ever in white muslin and palc-blue rib.
bonzl, the night Of the party at Castle.
ton Hall. when Lillian introduced them.
She looked at him with solemn sur.
prise, evidently recognizing him, in spite
Of his diamond shir,studs, lavender
nccktic and elegant evening suit.
You see" he said, with a smile.
Chat am not Carlin's idiot, after all.
Bat have to thank you for your gra.
cious and gentle hospitality, all tho
same"
~ am very sorry l made such an
awkward mistake" said Matte. coloring
little.
"But am not, said Mr.. Durandc;
"for it showed me the spontaneous
charity and kindness of your nature"
And before the evening was over they
were the best Of friends.
Mr.. Clifton Duranle's picture Of "Au
April Shower over Glitter Falls" was
hung on the "Sight Line" In the next
springs exhibition at the Academy OF
Design, and Matte Willctt took an in.
nocent pride in its beauty, as she stood
in the crowd, leaning upon the arm Of
tho young artist himself.
"And to think that ], n simple little
country girl, should be engaged to such
n great srtist?' she murmurcd, so low
that the words could reach his ear
alone.
can artist" he responded, laughing,
"but perhaps not so famous a one, after
all. / shall never forget, Matte, dar.
ling, what a blow TO my self-complacency
it was when discovered that Won had
mis- taken mo, the budding genius, tho
conscious New Yorker, for-.Carlin's
idiot |"
"Please-please try and forget that =