Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-05-19

wrath F; for the nfst time, Tonight lie
felt inclined TO follow his advice.
He represented 10 Winifrod that she
was by no means fulfilling the mission
that either love or duty imposed, wound
ing her scnsitivencss, too, not little
by telling her that, while he did every
thing he could to give her pleasure, she
seemed to take n tacit delight in re-
cciving all his advances with indif-
ference-nay, almost with contempt.
His words went like sharp dagger
into poor Winnie's heart; but still she of.
fered no word of explanation; only after
n while she raised her tear-staine d face
from the sofa cushion on which she had
hidden it, and looked at Arnold with
her large, swollen eyes.
Conc more favor, dearest know |
do not deserveit: but you will grant me
one more, will you not?'
What is it, my love? You know |
shall be delighted to give you anything
in reason that will make you happy"
"Send for Blanche Wodehouse and let
her come and stay with u.s."
Arnold's brow contracted into frown.
1t was not that he objected to Blanche
Wodchouse coming to stay with them,
but that he was totally at loss to CON
lecture what the affinity was that exist
ed between his young wife and these
people, even to the extent of rendering
her unfit for all her home duties. She
saw his hesitation. almost amounting to
displeasure, and threw herself into his
arms with a sudden outburst of afIcc-
tion.
Arnold, dear, grant ME this request
do, there's n darling Arnold-if YOU
don't shall be compelled to go off to
the continent myself, in search Of
Blanche I"
You, Winfield You must be quite
mad -
"Oh, no, l am not in the least mad,
only l have terrible secret to keep.
and the keeping of it nearly sends me
mad, Arnold dear. oh, how | wish
could toll you all about it :"
"a secret in connection with the
WodchousesF"
Yes; and you will lc; Blanche come,
will you not 2
Il do not object to your having
Blanche Wodohouse to stay for a little
while, il her coming is at all likely to
remove the incubus which has lain over
you Of late"
at will, indeed it will at least I
hope so. oh, You dear, darling old pet,
you are much kinder to your little wife
than she deserves, though she is not
such bad little woman as know You
have been thinking her of lie
Now let us TO bed" he said, "or
you will look so iadcd to morrow you
will no longer meri; the name Of ms
pretty Winnie"
To bed for Arnold Moreton WAS not to
sleep. He was pcrpleXed bcyoud every
thing 10 imagine what this extraordinary
secret could bo which had so changed
Wirnie. That the flowers in that con-
seryntory had something to do with it hc
felt sure but turn the matter in his
mind how he might he could make
nothing Of it and after thinking il over
mall its varied phases for hours he de-
cided that it was perhaps as well he had
given permission for an invitation TO be
sent to Blanche Wodchousc, since her
presence in the house might throw some
light on the matter.
At last Mr.. Moroton fell asleep, TO
awake after while with the sort Of
nightmarish conviction that some one
had arrived, and that this some one was
Miss Blanche Wodehouse. 1t was :
o'clock, and the sun was streaming
gladly into the room. He was not dream
ing then, and it was actually the voice
Of the butler outside the door, inform
ing him that a young lady in deep
mourning had arrived from abroad and
wanted to see Mrs. Moreton immedi-
ately. OF course it was Blanche Wode.
house, and OF course Winnie, in her
dressing gown, rushed of without
further delay to receive her; and "most
extraordinary" muttered Arnold, as he
peepcd over the staircase to see them
meet, "they have actually gone into the
conservatory and locked tho door" He
went into his dressing-room to perform
his morning toilet with a sort OF desper.
ate resolution to give mp attempts at
guessing the very difficult conundrum
that had been presented to him. He did
not hurry himself in the least having