Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-04-28

tion of soon becoming "a lady" and
Dudley Carleton's wife, turned her back
upon her faithful lover, Mark Fenton,
and for the last few weeks had hardly
given him u word. 1t was great trou-
BILE to her honest father, for of all men
of his acquaintance there was not one go
worthy of her rs Mark, nor one to whom
he would so readily have given her in
marriage. In vain he had advised and
counseled her. Hetty, formerly so gen
tie, 80 ready to comply with her fathers
wishes, hung her head in sullen silence,
and sought, more persistontly than ever,
the society of Dudley Carleton. On
this particular morning on which our
story opens he, with u party of friends,
had gone forth on boating excursion,
and Hetty "A she knew tho time was
drawing near for their returning, had
taken up her station at the breakwater
where the pleasure boats were usually
drawn ashore. Carleton was not alone
in the village some cousins OF his own
age had accompanied him thithcr with
their sisters, and Hetty had observed
that on one, young and prottior than the
rest, Dudley had begun, within the last
few days, to bestow more than ordinary
attention, and her young heart was hot
within her as she stood shading her
eyes and watching for the returning
boat
"You seem ont of sorts to-day, lass"
She recognized Marks voice, and il
brought the crimson blood in torrent
to her checks.
She gave her shoulders an impatient
twist, while her pretty forehead wrinkled
into frown
ooh, do so away you are the plague
of my life" she said, angrily.
With her eyes fixed on the ocean, she
did not see the look Of pain that came
over the swarthy face of the fisherman.
Presently she felt her little white
hand-fair and delicate enough for a
duchess-soized somewhat roughly in
his own, and she struggled in vain to
draw it away.
"You shant tell me that twice,
Hetty," he said, in tones of sorrow
rather than anger. Il will 20 away
but before / 60 I'll have it out with
this young gentleman that's changed
You so, and ask him whether lie means
to act honorably toward you or whether
he's only fooling you, as I suspect he
Is"
"You dare to say one word to Mr..
Carleton" exclaimed the girl, indig-
nantly. at is no business Of yours,
He"
ooh, no business OF mine, eh?" in
terrupted Mark. II should like to
know what is my business then, consid-
ering that your father gave you to- me
months and months afore this chap
came here. We might have been mar.
ried now if it hadn't been that YOU arc
so changed. II It hadn't been that"
"Oh, don't preach, Mark; hate it, -"
cried Hetty, impa;iently. u am very
sorry if you care for me, because really
/ don't think / care for you quite rs
| ought-and as | once thought / did"
How long have you found that out ?
only since he came 10 tho village,
with his soft blarncy and houied
tongue" rctorted the young fisherman.
" Well, we shall soe." he added, in
quieter tone. "If he marries you. we'll
and good / wouldn't stand in the way
Of your happiness, even though tit
broke my heart to part with you. You're
pretty enough to grace crown--and all
the village says so-but that amt the
thing. If he SO much as hurt one hair
Of your head-Td break every bone in
his body"
And the strong hand OF Mark Fenton
as he spoke, and he looked at
that moment powerful enough to fell an
OK with one blow.
Hetty turned away, not altogether at
ease but, affecting an mir Of the most
supreme Indifference to oil her lover
had said, she resumed her former posi-
ton, tapping one dainty foot inn
patiently on the shingle.
Mark left her without another word
and at that moment tho boat, bearing
the form of him she imagined she loved,
came in with dash of spray az IL
reached the breakwater.
Mark stood watching the party land,
while a rich flush Of color mantled
Hettys cheek, She stood with her
bosom heaving, expecting look or
even word, but she received neither,
Dudley Carleton appeared utterly I'M
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