Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-10-26

'd'iul tlat ttitS Slpulu NOT ne SuS-
pected by Aureia and IIortensc. each
holding back corner of the window
curtain to gaze after her nor Daisy,
who stood at the gate waving the roll
ing pin, and shouting:
BE sure you ask eightpence a
quart, they're worth it."
When Jessie reached the great
gloomy residence wherein abode Mrs.
lIopwood, the wife of a county court
Judge, and herself cousin OF barris.
ter, she found it necessary to call up
all her courage to explain her business
to the majestic lady who swept down
the walk, surveyed the plums with
much dignity and languidly inquired
the price.
"Eightpence," began Jessie, now as
red as the plums herself. and then for
| got to finish the sentence rs dark
gentleman with piratical black
mustache stepped from a ycranda
and raised his hat, and she recognized
Mr.. Ernest Grey, Mrs. IIopwood's
cousin, and the lawyer who had under
taken and lost the cause for herself
and sisters in their late law entangle-
| ment. But let it be understood that
| though Aurelia might unjustly blame
/ him for the failure, Jessie did not, be-
cause it was quite against Jessie's code
of reasoning and propriety to blame
Mr.. Ernest Grey for anything.
How much did you say, Miss Fen.
ton2' asked Mrs. IIopwood, in her
frigdly calm voice, which confused
the poor girl the more.
"EEhtpence," she repeated. with a
side glance at Mr.. Grey. in whose
gypsy eyes she was sure she detected
a sly CLEAN Of amusement. which made
her wish with great reason and con.
sistencc) that she could throw all the
plums at Mrs. ITopwood's head, and
between feeling awkwardly cmhar-
rassed, and at the same time angry
with herself for being ashamed Of
what she was doing, She nearly lost
her senses.
Eightpence for how many?" asked
Mrs IIopwood, her chilly tones grow
ing rather impatient And Jessie be-
gan again
Eightpcnce--"
Oh, what was it Daisy told hcr2
She could not think to save herself
presence Of mind was gone she must
say something.
"Eightpcnce a gallon" she tluttered,
turning away. that the tears she knew
were coming could fall unscoI.
oh" said Mrs. Hopwood. "IIl
take them all" And she snapped
them up 50 eagerly it almost looked as
if she was afraid Jessie. would change
her mind about the price.
But Jessie was only intent on getting
away as fast Is possible. and dropping
the bits of silver Mrs. IIopwood handed
her into = peck basket. she set off, and
would not let herself think until she
reached home all in "A fluttcr.
did You make your fortune?"
asked Aurclia.
"Or meet your fate ?" inquired Hor.
tense.
How much sugar did you get?"
asked Daisy eagerly. I've secured
mp the preserving kettle and gathered
the plums so | can go to work pre-
serving them"
And then Jessie for the first time
thought of the sugar, and remembered
too we'll what she was to get for the
plums.
She told the story bravcly and then
ran away.
Just her luck" murmured Hor-
tense II told YOU so"
Luck. indeed r. rctorted Aurelia
its her folly, and. as usual. the fault
Of that yillainous Ernest Grey"
Jessie was sitting upon the front
step in the shadow. weeping despair.
ingly, when no other parsonage than
Ernest Grey himself appeared sudden
ly before her, and captured her little
tear-wet hands without so much "a
asking her consent.
Jessie" he said. " my sweet. brave
little Jessie. so long and desperately as
| have loved you. never loved you as
I do to-day. You quite shattered my
heart down there, at Cousin Emily's
to-day, with your brave though not
successful attempt at business, and
could not resist the temptatton to fol.