Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-11-30

too young to understand anything
about such matters. Fred would give
up everything, friends, home. fortune.
If | would consent, but how can |
when the failure of her pet scheme
would break his lady mothers heart.
My coming out of the affair heart
broken is of no consequence for | am
only poor girl who is expected to
marry the first man that offers a COM
Portable home"
Did You ever see this cousin ?"
No." replied Bettina wiping her
eyes.
"Then how do you know she is old
and ugly?"
II know she is older than Fred, and
l think she must be awful homely,
else he would have learned TO care for
her"
"A very logical conclusion" laughed
Clare. perhaps the assertion that
she does not love him is based on one"
But | am sure she docsn't love
him." interrupted the other, eagerly.
How could she hide it if she did?
| Fred knew that | loved him long be-
fore we talked about it, but you see he
| felt in honor bound to his cousin, and
knew it was not right to speak of love
| TO me-"
"IIe evidently overcame his
scruples." observed Clare.
yes, after he was perfectly con-
WINGED that his cousin didn't care for
him. Indeed, she told him So"
Under such circumstances. IL she
Is true woman, she would conceal
her love, even though her heart were
breaking"
Bettina looked up quickly.
"Were you ever in love, Clare ?" she
asked.
Clare flushed a little. You don't
suppose | would tell you, even if /.
were? do not approve of parading
such matters before the world"
"0h, perhaps you are one of the
kind who woRld let concealment like
worm What is the rest Of il?
Something about damask checks
only your cheeks could hardly be
called damask, for you are fright
fully pale"
Clare smiled good-naturedly.
II trust am one Of the kind who
wouldn't make goose Of myself and
fret about a man who didn't care for
me-"
You evidently don't believe that
Fred loves me. | am half inclined to
convince you all that he does. I'll
tell you another thing, Clare. | be-
lieye if auntie would let Mr.. Wetherill
alone he would transfer his affections
TO you in no time. You don't know
how oddly he looks at you sometimes. |
If were in love with him / would be
horribly jealous. really believe If he
had seen you before he asked me to
marry him he would never have asked
the question, although l am younger
and"
"And prettier.' you were going to
say, you vain girl"
well, even IL l am, I'm not half
as good IA you, you dear, sober old
Clare. But. good or bad, / am not
going to sacrifice myself to please two
Old women-for that's just what it
amounts to. gave up Fred to please
his mother, and am going to marry Mr..
Wetherill to please Aunt Winnie at
least she thinks / am"
For a week or more after the events
just related Bettina appeared to be
one Of the most docile creatures inn
aginable. and Aunt Winnie and she
were again on tho most amicable terms.
but Clare felt instinctively that she
was plotting mischief. One day Mrs.
Chalmers went to pay ng-promised
visit to friend residing in the coun-
try. AS soon as she was gone the
young girl dressed herself in neat
walking costume and left the house.
Glare did not miss her until she had
occasion to go to her room. where she
expected to find her, but found instead
note addressed TO herself. which she
opened with trembling fingers, and
/ read:
DEAR CLARE--I fancy that YOU
I will not be much astonished To learn
that / have gone to meet Fred. Every
thing is arranged, and we will be mar