Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-07-14

horses hoofs galloping on the road.
Mrs. LAymr's indignation knew no
bounds.
"The way Gerard goes on with that
girl is ridiculous" she said to Kate Ir-
win, "and I consider it my duty to in
terfere."
"Then he will assuredly marry Ecr,"
responded tho lady, coolly. "Cen you
not SEQ he is only amusing himself?
Oppose him and he is capable of any
folly. Leave him alone and no will
soon tire of his new-found toy"
Reasoning on widely different prin-
ciples, Mrs. Parker had arrived at the
same conclusion, and sadly and INK
iously she watched the gradual change
in Nelly's demeanor.
"Old Martha tells me you never visit
her lately" she said to her daughter
one afternoon.
A bright flush crimsoncd Nelly's
cheek.
$50 she has been complaining, has
she? Tiresome old womanW
"And Miss Goodwin has mentioned
to me-" continued her mother, without
appearing to notice Nelly's tone, "that
You are seldom or never at the Thurs
day prayer-meetings."
81 don't believe" returned Nelly,
"thAt we ought to be always singing and
praying and visiting old women. l am
young, and | want to enjoy life"
"Who gave you life 2" answered Mrs.
Parker, "and how long is it since you
found it wearisome to praise and serve
God? All! Nelly, Nelly, since Mr..
Fay"
There it is again. interrupted
Nelly; always Mr., Fay Everything is
his fault. What has he done, / should
like to know, that you all hate him so ~
Hate him All Nelly, how blind
you are You love that man -
"Woll, I do" retortcd Nelly, did
you never love? Am l the first one in
the family who has been in love?'
Nelly, has Mr.. Fay ever asked you
to marry him2'
Nelly was silent.
"Has he ever even told you that he
loved you?"
II don't care il he hasn't, " answered
Nelly, sobbiag. IL know he does, and
l don't see why you want to make me
so miserable; and / wish / was dead-I
do"
At this interesting iuncturo arrived
Mr.. Gerard Fay. Mrs. Parker, not feel
ing desirous to meet him, vanished
through side door, and Nellie, unable
to regain her composure, or dissimulate
without intending to do so, allowed
Gerard to guess the secret Of her dis
tress; and he, feeling unusually mag.
nanimous after an extra bottle of cham
pagne, and moved by the sight of beauty
in tears, forthwith offered himself, and
was accepted.
"There, l told you So said Mrs.
L'Aymar, furiously, to Kate.
Keep cool" was the reioinder, land
let US go and call on the bride-elect.
Frank Rashleigh will be down next
week, and then We shall see what We
shall SEQ"
And Mrs. L'Aymsr, having no small
confidence in her cool-headed friend,
waited patiently until Mr.. Rashleigh,
Gerard's intimate friend, should arrive.
When that important parsonage made
his appearance, it is to be presumed that
the ladies enlisted him at once-as
shortly after his arrival he took occasion
to remark to Gerard:
That's rather pretty girl pointing
to Nelly. Pity she's such dowdy
figure, and dresses in such Sandwich
island style"
Gerard said nothing-being abso.
lutely dumb with astonishment. Nelly
dowdy, and badly dressed Was that
the judgment OF Frank Rashleigh, who
was q well-known connoisseur in female
beauty-on his pearl-his lily Of
maidens, as he had fondly termed her1
Was he indeed so blind ?
Rashleigh saw the shot had taken
effect, and wisely forbore further com
ments at that time. He then turned his
attention to Miss Irwin, whom he pro-
nounced ga perfectly elegant womaa,
and faultlessly beautiful"
Maybe so," dryly answered Gerard,
bu. I prefer the half-opened rosebud
to the tulip"
Spite of which. ere long, he virtually
transferred himself and his attentions
to Mics Irwin, who concealed her de-
light under an affectation OF cold dig.