Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-07-20

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wildly gay or silent and absent.
The last of September Mr.. Lindsay
came to see her; the first .of October
Young John was expected.
"Mr. Lindsay" asked Ruby, "sup-
pose should not marry Young John 9'
The old lawyer raised his gray eye
brows.
"Such supposition is not possible, "
he said, " for in that case he can appro-
pirate your fortune. The two estates
are combined, and all you have is in.
volved in them"
Ruby went about like one in cloud.
She wondered if in all the world there
was any one else SO unhappy.
One cool night the company were
dancing in the long hall which extended
through the house. In the midst of
the hilarity Ruby's spirits suddenly
deserted her. She went out upon the
piazza and stood leaning against one of
the pillars wreathed with woodbine,
tanning herself.
Her dress was white her dark eyes
were in shadow. Their gaze was utter
ly sad as they were turned upon the
happy company under the flashing
lights. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS so
far away, and she 80 lonely.
She turned aside, catching her breath
with little sobbing sigh, and turned
into somebody's arms. A loving, blonde
face, a strong shoulder-before Ruby
knew what she was doing she sobbed
there for moment.
Darling |" whispered Charley Hen
rick, "1et me comfort me. You do not
know how dear you are to mel I love
you best of all the world Tell me-
tell me what grieves you"
Hush-hush Oh, it is nothing"
answered Ruby, flushing, trembling,
frightened, yet "comforted" to the
depths of her heart. ooh, you mustn't
talk to me sol" and she turned away
and was gone.
Charley Henrick was soon gone, too
indeed, he started on journey that
very night. In fact, it was the thirtieth
of September, and he had not much
time to spare.
On the evening of October 2 a
carriage stopped below the lower terrace
of the Chestnuts, and Ruby, starting up
startled in her chamber, soon had
card laid in her hand. Mr.. John
Prince Young John-awaited her in
the drawing-room.
For moment the girl turned quite
faint, then she rose up resolutely and
went to the mirror. She was utterly
pallid, but she arranged her dark braids
with steady hand and went steadily;
below.
The door swung under her cold hand
a stalwart gentleman, with curling
white hair and beard, apparently about
sixty years of age, rose from sofa and
advanced, with kindly courtesy, to take
her hand.
"AIiss Londesboroughl" he said,
kindly.
"Mr. Princef" she faltered, looking
at him with wonder, the interrogation
Of her accent repeated by her amazed
eyes
"Yes, Young John-though young no
longer"
The cloud in which Ruby moved was
Mr.. Prince remained at the
Chestnuts on visit of week. He
would have been very nice, Ruby
thought, if he had been her father. But
her husband
"Well, my dear" taking her hand one
evening, "What do you think of mep'
~ respect you very much," faltered
Ruby. "Only"-rushing on-"I-I
thought you were youngW
"My grandfather was very old and
evidently in his dotage when he be-
trothed us-eighteen years ago." he
said. ST was middle-aged man when
you were born. I know, my child, that
you would be very miserable if I should
propose to marry you. But / have
young friend in whose happiness have
an interest. You shall marry him and
shall be quite satisfied. Your for.
tune, too, shall be yours"
"Oh, no, no ~ gasped Ruby.
what Not young husband, blue
eyed, and handsome as yourselfp evi-
lentiy enjoying her agitation.
"No," murmured R1by.
"You are quite surep
"Quite."
"You shall be urged to nothing
against your will; but let the young
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