The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1881-09-01

a.
folded into cushion, and dining with
excellent appetite off the various viands
of the feast.
CHAPTER II.
The scene of the above mentioned
conversation was pleasant green path
in extensive grounds on the banks of the
river Thames at Cookham. The place
was dotted with well dressed people,
forming atoms in the whole of the great
picnic being held on as lovely a June
day as ever added beauty to that charm
ing portion of our national river.
1t might have been supposed that
upon such day happiness would have
ruled supreme; but it was not so, for sew
eral members of the party were not in
the best of tempers.
For instance, Mrs. Hartley, beneath
her pleasant smile, felt anything but
content. More than that, she was rather
bored. The protestations of Frank
Roberts troubled her. She liked him
well enough, but she had her doubts of
his stability, and suspicion had planted
itself firmly in her mind to the effect
chat he cared more for the handsome sum
of money left unconditionally to her by
her late husband than he did for her
handsome face and thoroughly honest
heart.
Then, too, Mr.. Frank Roberts, after
contriving his opportunity 10 make a
declaration, had been so dissatisfied by
the result that he had gone aside, after
placing his inamorata in good place,
70 obtain glass of lemonade, and swore
1T the attendant for not putting in mole
sugar.
Doubtless there were other discon-
tented swains and ladies, but with them
we have nothing to do, but will turn at
once to couple who were stroiling
slowly by the rivers brink; an elderly
man with bent shoulders and white hair,
md one about middle age, slightly griz-
lied, and with massive head and
thoughtful face, that would have been
plain but for his magnificent gray eyes.
"Hah !" said the elder, in a sour tone
Of voice. "some men do make fools OF
themselves; and how can you be such
an idiot, Morris, as to let that SNOWY
butterfly of fellow carry off really
good little woman from under your nose
[ can't think. I always fancied you
loved her."
$50 do, doctor, with all my heart. u
Then, hang it, man, marry her."
"What, and make her unhappy. doc.
torP No, love her too we'll for that"
"Stuff and nonsense, man !"
"It is no stuff and nonsense, doctor.
She cares for Roberts. Look at them
yonder. Why should I interfere %
"Because it isn't right, and 1 don't
like it. That fellow Roberts is scoun-
drel, I'm sure; and all he wants is the
widows money; and as soon as he had
got that he would break her heart.
Hang it, man, go and cut him out. Go
and propose"
81 did, DOCTOR"
"Well?"
"She bade me wait; asked for time.
I esteemed her delicacy, and have
waited. There is the result"
"Humphp said the old doctor.
"Well, I'm sorry-deuced sorry. Hart.
ley was very old friend of mine, and in
his last illness he said to me: 'Oi
course, it's natural that my dear young
wife should some day want to marry
again. Watch over her, doctor, and see
if you can that she does not become the
prey of scoundrel.' Tie your money
up tight 1 said to him. No, doctor,
he said, Il love her too we'll to insult
her like that. God bless her-pve
every confidence in her. She shall dc
as she pleases, and thank her for bear
ing so long with the whims and caprices
of an old husband Ha it's strange
world"
Luke Morris nodded his head and
joined the party at dinner, where ht
tried to cast off his gloom, and fatt
throwing him near the pretty widow, ht
was quiet and polite to her, almost tC
the point of reserve; but through all she
could read chivalrous respect to hel
feelings, and she knew that he had seer
her interview that morning with Rob
erts.
Directly after dinner the doctor came
up smiling and asked Mrs. Hartley i
she would take stroll with him. She
agreed with alacrity, telling herself tha
she would then be free of lovers; anC
they went down to the rivers side
where, in the course of long converse
ton, the doctor turned it into O series
of remarks concerning the early life o
the late Mr.. Hartley.
GAS good and true hearted a man a
ever 1 knew" said the doctor.
she was, indeedp said the widow
and she wiped away very genuine teai
81 esteemed him as much as any maj
1 ever knew, for think he tried hard t.
atone for the past"
"Atone for the past, doctor ?" sal
the widow, wonderingly.
"Ye-esl The way he got his money
you know"
SCOT his money, doctor" cried tn
widow, turning pale. "What do yo
mean ?"
"Well, my dear, it's hardly wort
raking up; but always thought it n
duty to tell you in case you felt dii
POSED by few acts of charity to try an
make up for what there was wrong
it,"
"But, DOCTOR" she said, excitedly
"pray explain yourself"
L "There, there, don't be in furry,