Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-08-11


world I" said Mr.. Durande, waxing more
and more bewildered.
"Then come this way" said the
nymph, floating gracefully on before,
the purple-blaok clouds forming back
ground for her exquisite face and figure,
and the trees weaving an arch overhead
Clifton Durande was no contemplate
pedestrian, but he soon found that he
was compelled to use every effort to
keep up with the girl.
"Give me the country said he to
himself as he hurried on. elf this
isn't real, genuine hospitality l don't
know what ISL
Across patch Of woodland, through
a pasture field, where young lambs
were frisking and mild-eyed cows lifted
their heads to watch them as they
passed, and up a box-edged garden
path, where.golden ionquils and creamy
clusters of narcissus grew in fragrant
luxuriance, and then they were in the
great, airy, low-ceiled room of the vii
lett farmhouse.
"I do not know whom / am to thank
for all this kindness" said Durande,
little constninedly. "It is raining
very hard now, and | should scarcely
have known where TO find n shelter
"Iam Matte Willett," said the girl,
with unconscious dignity. care YOU
very tired? Please take this cushioned
chsir-it is easier than the other. Sit
down, and I will bring you some bread
and milk presently"
Clifton Durande looked around him
in sort OF pleasant bewildcrment.
Flowers were blossoming in the win.
dows-pink primroses, sweet-scented
geraniums and velvet-petaled monthly
roses; engravings, framed in pine cones
and rustic work, hung on the walls; a
bird warbled in its cage, and a blue.
ribboned guitar lay on the chintz-coy-
cred lounge, beside work.basket full
of sweet feminine belongings.
Am in enchanted land y he asked
himself "Is this a modern Utopia,
an Arcadia of the nineteenth century,
where wood-nymphs take pity upon be-
lated travellers, and all the world is hos
pitality? How fortunate it is that |
came down TO Glitter Falls to sketch,
instead OF going to Hayden Mountain ,
She is as be autiful as dream; and how
stately and gracious her manner is No
one could think OF addressing such n
young princess as that save in the most
reverent manner She says she knows
who am. 1t must be thcn," with n
little shrill Of natural pride, "that the
fame Of my paintings and water color
sketches has reached even this seques-
tered spot"
And Mr.. Durandc, albeit not con
ceitcd parsonage, began TO comprehend
what real fame meant.
He looked at pretty Matte Willctt as
she came into the room, with bowl of
milk and some slices Of home baked
bread, with evident admiration.
"You are an artist? ?" said he.
mo-" said she.
AT least, you admire fine pictures p
with glance at the walls.
"Yes."
"Do you draw or aketchT' he asked.
"Oh, no :"
did You ever try?'
"No."
"How shy she is !" he thought land
how beautifully her hair grows on her
forehead-real Scotch gold in its tints
/ wonder how / shall manage to draw
her out p
Matte Willett might have been shy
perhaps she was-but she moved about
the room with all the quiet self-posses-
sion OF an cmpress-and as Durande's
eye involuutarily followed her, he he
came more and more impressed with
the odd fancy that he was in an en-
chanted realm.
WY upn oHe talh h' Thought.
81 will make her talk !"
At that moment, however, sudden
thunderbolt seemed to cleave the air
with its force-the air was all a-quiver
with blue fire, aud the rain began to
descend in almost perpendicular sheets;
and Miss Willctt, still moving in the
slow, graceful manner which was en-
tirely devoid OF anything like furry or
turmoil, passed leisurely into the other
room.
Charley" she cried ont, ioyfully,
as IL welcoming some one who had just
entered from the outer door. "I am so
glad you are safe here at last have
been so troubled for fear you should
got uVnt I"