Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-11-17
A Fortunate Casualty.

sweet voice comes lifting down the
. stains, light footsteps trip along the
hall to the sitting-room door, which
opens, while a face with mischievous
eyes, with floating curls falling all
about it in a lustrous shower, looks in,
to start back in amaze at the sight OF
her mother in tears, and her sister doing
her best to soothe her-her own face not
wearing its usual calm expression.
All the sparkle dies out of the pretty
face as Pussy enters and goes 10 her
mothers side.
"What is it, mother dear? Has any
thing happenedT"
But the old lady sobs Oh, and it is
Sarah who answers, holding letter to
Pussy to read.
alt is this that is the matter. Mr..
Elbermarle. through his agent, tells US
that we must pay up the full amount of
the mortgage within two weeks or leave
the house"
Pussy's eyes dilate; she knows the
slenderness of the home e1chequer, and
that to pay such large sum upon such
q short notice will be an utter impUs-
sibility.
"Oh, dear, what shall we doP How
cruel Of that rich Mr.. Elbermarle. to
turn us out Of house and home when he
is rolling in wealth p
Sarah turns her eyes tenderly yet
anxiously upon the pretty, indignant
face; she evidently has something TO
say which does not come easily.
You are the one who can prevent
such 3 disaster, Pussy" che says at
length. "one word from you and our
feeble mother wilt not have TO leave the
home she loves so WE'LL
al can help it-howY'
Sarah eysdes the upturned, question
ing eyes.
"Mr. Law was hero this morning,
Pussy, and he wants to marry you"
The last ", ,rds came in great hurry,
as though the speaker we're glad to
have them over aud done with.
With gesture of dismay Pussy
shakes her long ringlets about her face
and sinks down in q little heap upon
the floor.
bThat old man wants me TO marry
him, and / am only seventeen Oh,
Sarah, could you honestly harbor such
an idea for a momentt" world OF re-
proach Is in the young voice.
Sarah's hand falls gently on the
bowed head.
know it is dreadful to even think
Of. But, Pussy, what other way is
thereP Think of mother of
her fcebleness, which has always
kept me tied to her side, pre-
venting my evcn thinking of obtaining
any employment. II We have TO leave
the old home 1t will surely be her death.
Look at her now"
Pussy glanccs up. The invalid's face
In covered with both her hands, while
through the thin fingers the bitter tears
arc stealing.
PUSSY. come here"
She rises and goes to her mothers
side.
"My pet, do not heed what your sis
ter says. She means il for the beat,
but she has thought only for me.
Surely you do not think your mother
would purchase comfort at the expense
Of her child's happiness"
All at once Passy's resolve is taken,
though she says nothing then TO her
mother, only rresses q silent kiss on her
dear gray head.
But short while lator she appears
1t the door bonneted and cloaked, with
; litiIe basket on hoF arm, and beckons
Sarah out.
"You said you wanted sugar and
eggs from the village, Sarah. and I'm
going for them now. I wanted 10 tell
you that I've thought over what you
said abont MG Law, and I've come TO
The conclusion thet It wonldn't be 50
BAL LOT after III TO be rich old man's
darling