Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-10-27

The latter was small fortune In IT.
self--we could have lived upon 1t for
year; but 1t was an heirloom. Helen
and must have been In sad want in
decd TO have parted with single piece.
nNo," I answered, cheerily; "let us
hone he will arrive at such an auspicious
hour as this"
But my hopes we're to be blightod.
During tho ensuing forty-eight hours
we had many candidates, but on one
side or other some obstacle W as in the
way.
Our hearts sank as we reviewed tho
situation. Which one OF them would
We tolerate to share our home We had
almost determined to give it up-to
struggle on yet little longer-as We
sat together in the twilight, on the
evening of the third day, when there
came n quick, decided peal to the bell.
Our little maid answered it. A mo.
ment later q firm, manly tread crossed
the hall-a tall form stood upon the
threshold of the room in which we
were. The stranger bowed courteously.
"May I enter Z" he said, in strangely
musical voice.
had been sitting on q ushion at
Helen's feet, resting my head upon her
lap. was conscious that her soft,
caressing hand had produced the Wild
est disorder among my loosened braids
as I sprang up confusedly: but save
that a pair of eyes momcntarily regarded
me from behind darkened spectacles,
our guest devoted all his attention to
my sister.
Quiet aud dignified as she ever was,
she bade him be seated.
can elderly gentleman our adver-
tisement called for; we were alone, and
so felt it would be more suitable; but
was this man young or old? His voice
was young, his step was young, but the
spectacles he wore made him appear
both old and ugly. Besides, in this half
light it was impossible to see.
struck n match and lighted the
lamp. He gave n sudden start, aud
turned away his head.
Pardon me-" he said. "but am suf-
fering from an acute inflammation of
the eye; cannot bear any light"
80
sister, and o beyed, my curiosity all
unsatisiied.
7 stood listening silently as he and
Helen talked. He was greatly in need,
he said, OF quiet home. Our advertise.
ment had strangely attracted him, and,
though perhaps not as yet decrepit by
age, he felt he might be sifely written
down as elderly, especially since this
painful condition of his eyes made it
for time impossible for him to do any
thing save sit in darkened room.
His voice was in his favor certainly.
His manner, too, was that of a man
well.born, well-bred. 1 could sec that
Helen looked favorably upon him, and
was not surprised when the arrange
ment was closed between them.
Rising to go, no handed her his
card, aud written upon il was his bank
er's address.
"You can make any inquiries there,
Miss Ray" he said; ''and, unless hear
from you to the contrary, 1 will take
possession on Thursday next"
Thursday and this was Saturday.
Only four more days for Helen and me
to be alono together
Scarcely had the door closed upon
him than burst into bitter tears.
"He shall not como !" cried. 1--WE
will starve firstP'
"why, Dsisy, did you not like him,
dear? OF course he shall not come, IL
you object but he offered us such very
liberal terms, and seemed so quiet and
unassuming. Thought you would feel
as did, that We had been most fortu-
nate. Let us wait until morning." sho
added, "before we decide anything"
Her advice proved good. The full
glarc of the day showed tho thing in n
moro prosaic and sensible light. The
very end for which we had been strug-
Cling was attained, and had been un.
willing to accept it. My ingra.itude
deserved to be punished.
Tho next week, in the twilight as
before, Douglas Sage arrived. There
was large bookcase, several boxes of
books, a reading lamp, an easy-chair, n
varied assortment OF smoking parapher-
MALTA, as accomplishments, to give us
renewed proof of masculine element
under our roof tree.
N II = =