Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-12

to Mr.. Greenleaf: "She has guessed ut
the establishment" But he would not
listen this time. Jeannie's artlessness,
aided by those clear, honest eyes, could
have neutralized the spell of Mephisto-
pheles himself.
At length not q shadow of apology
for remaining longer at Mrs. Retford's
was left, and Mr. Greenleaf, with many
regrets, prepared for his return to town.
He would have been glad TO live on so
forever-an honored guest, Hospitality
entertained, and made quite comfortable
in n common way by the old lady, while
for the thousand indescribable essential
trifies there was n fairy handmaiden ever
at his side, whose ministrations were de-
lightful to him, and whose very pres
ence seemed to ill the room with sun
shine.
To be sure he experienced no palpita-
tions; he seldom sighed, except when
he was rubbing the specific upon his
head, and he slept perfectly well
(" But, them" he said, TO himself, "that
is nonsense ] used TO have such feel
ings, but l have grown wiser. | love
this sweet girl as if she was my daughter
even now; her countenancc beams upon
me like the face Of an old friend.
Heigho if / had daughter like her
would never marry, and that would
please Mrs. Wilson better than anything
else"
He forgot in his cogitations to ask
himself among other questions whether
il was probable that beautiful girl Of
seventeen would marry man old
enough TO be her father. He had so
complete conviction that women,
like moths, are ever caught by glare"
that he thought it no disrespcct to the
sex to take it for granted.
When n bachelor looks down upon
matrimony from the awful height of five
and forty, he may be excused from
shrinking little at the leap, and it was
with no small amount of trepidation
that Mr.. Greenleaf sought a private in
terview with Mrs. Retford TO disclose
his amiable designs upon Jeannie. But
the matter once broachcd he recovered
his hAbitual hucncy, and laid before the
good lady his worldly situation with
some complacency, assuring her there
was no person who had any claims upon
him except n sisters son, for whom he
intended TO provide an outfit in life.
Mrs. Rctford seemed a little embar-
rassed, limited at disparity Of ages, de-
clarcd there was no answering for young
girls fancies, but said she would con-
suit Jeannie, and, if she wished, lay the
matter before her mother.
"FIer motherl" exclaimed Mr.. Green
leaf. "Has she mother liyingY"
ooh, certainly; lady in your city,
whom | dare say you have met. The
marriage was most unfortunate - 50
much so that poor Jeannie has never
known her father, who is voluntary
outcast in one Of the Southern cities.
Ny daughter, unwilling to endure the
odium of n divorce, and always afraid
that her miserable husband might
return some day and claim the child,
confided her to me, and she has been
brought up in scclusion as yen see"
"Shc is not then likely TO have formed
any attachment ?" said Mr.. Grccnlcaf,
confidently.
"Why, as to that, said Mrs. Rctford.
al am scarcely qualified TO reply. A.
observed to You, one can never count
upon young girls fancies. To tell you
the truth, there has been a young gentle
man about this ncighborhood that
thought Jeannie favored. He brought
a letter Of Introduction from her
mother"
"A letter? What was his name.
pray ?" said Mr. Grcenlcaf, with sud
denly awakened curiosity.
"Evcrts-Gcorge Eyerts," said the
old lady.
NY nephew? And the lady who
gave him the letter."
Mrs Armour"
Mr.. Greenlcaf stood like one trans.
fixed. He saw through everything
past, present and future-and he was
"blasted with excess of light" Jean
ME was Mrs. Armour's daughter-ergo,
Mrs. Armour, being married woman.
could never have had any designs upon
him or his establishment Jenny had
seen and liked George Eyerts, and there.
fore was very unlikely TO have laid any
snare for George Evsrts' uncle Yet,
having received 30 much kindness from
tuo xrounef whom ha trae tbpa fc,sc.J -