Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-10-12

live here for worlds, If / am to be
dragged about night after night like
this"
"Then such life has no charms for
you" he said.
NO, indeed" was the reply. II am
disappointed in Give IIardingc.. |
thought him superior to such friyolity
He seems to like it,"
There you mistake, Floy," said her
companion. 1T is society that courts
him-not he who courts society. As
you say, he is superior to it"
Then why does he go into it SO
muchT she asked.
He is performing a sort Of pen
ancc,' was the reply, "and mixing in
gaycty, which he dctests, for the sake
of one he cares for much, to see if the
pure gold of spirituality in her heart
will stand the test of the schcming
world"
She looked up into the clear dark
eyes of Gives dearest friend; but
beyond the smile upon her lips, and the
slight pressure of her hand upon his
arm, the could read nothing.
=" | am going home in five days" she
said, as they passed through the rooms.
Are you sorry or glad; 7" he asked.
81 shall be glad to see my mother
again she replied; but | shall bc
sorry to leave my aunt, she has been
so kind TO mc-and-and Cousin
Give"
He is rather old. don't you think.
Floy ?-somcthing Of the old bachelor
about him-too old to marry, in fact.
Who-Cliyc?" she said. "IIc is
not old--is he? | never noticed it.
His .hair is not gray, and his face is
not wrinklcd He is very handsome
is Cousin Give.
Handsome, Floy? You must have
put on loves spcctaclcs, surely; friend
As he is, | could never call him hand
some yet"
Don't talk nonsense. Willic." said
Florence. poltishly. "I repeat Give
llardingc is handsome. IIc has more
strength, might and majesty in his
countcuancc than dozen ordinary
men. Here he comes; now. judge for
yourself"
If avery weary look and a pale face
denoted handsome physique. Give
lIardinge certainly possessed it at that
moment. lie came forward 10 Flor
cnCc.
Would YOU like to 60 now?" hc
said, kindly; "my mother is already
cloakcd and waiting for the carriagc.
She quietly took the profrcrcd arm.
and. extending her hand to Gives
friend, hade him goodnight.
Miss Lyslc sat at work in her aunt's
morning room the day before her de-
parture home. The blue cashmere
robe she wore suited well the purity Of
her complexion and the rich curls Of
glittcring hair She looked marvel
ously pretty. and 50 thought Give IIar-
dingc, as he made it his special bust
ness to visit the room that morning.
But her cyclaShes were wet; she looked
rs If she had been shedding a tear or
two, silently. there 10 herself: and. per-
haps, the softness and tenderness in her
face made her appear more beautiful
still. Give carried long. narrow box
in his hand. Of blue enamel and gilt.
and placed IL under her eyes.
"Tho bet. Florence" said he. "IIad
YOU forgotten it, You have won it
quite fairly. or you will have done so
tomorrow, for there remains yet one
more day before the month is com
pleted. Now, will you tell me why you
I nave so cpldly declined the two oilers
Of marriage you have been honorcd
with since your stay with us2"
"I have not felt myself honored."
she replied. Zone was from n spend
thrift and debauchee the other from
brainless fop who possessed but one
idea in the world-that Of admiring his
own figure"
4" But You have repelled admiration
50 persistently," said Give; "othcrs
who certainly admired you, might
have"
"Thank you, Cousin Give, for the
bet. May I look ?" interrupted Flor
ence Lysle. rs she put out one hand for
the box.