Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-07-27

observation has shown me that some
women. at least, affect frivolity and sim
plicity in the presence of company
from which / inferred that society ad'
mires that sort of women.
"Perhaps it does, after q fashion,
he replied with smile. "But depend
upon it, Miss AIlston, the scepter OF
belleship was never yet wrested from
an intelligent conversationalist by an
ignorant woman, even though the bril-
liant woman has much palmer face
than the other. People love to be en-
tertained, and one who can offer wit
and wisdom without pedantry is sure to
be admired, and, il she can add genuine
unselfshness to her list of accomplish
ments, to be loved ALSO"
"Perhaps," said I. "But have you
not forgotten to return to the drawing
room"
"Thank you for the reminder, Miss
Allston; may venture to hope that
this will not be our last meeting%
"I am, as I told you, a servant, and
prefer not to be patronized. We met by
accident. If we meet again, shall not
recognize you"
He smiled good-humoredly, bowed,
said "We shall see," and turned away.
I felt vexed with myself for having
conversed 80 freely with stran ger, and
made sundry good resolutions by which
my future department was to be gov
erned.
I do not understand what there was
in the trifing event just narrated to
stir my nature, but that night I did not
close my eyes till 3 o'clock. I began
to hate myself for having remained 80
long in menial position without sin
gle struggle to rise above it. A beauti-
full thought came to me at last, with the
suddenness of inspiration. L had in
many instances proven myself to be a
good nurse for the sick. I hsd more
than once administered simple remedies
with success in the absence of physi-
clan. I had been fascinated by the
study of anatomy and physiology; why
not add to these knowledge of thera-
peuticsP Why not become physician,
practicing among women and children2 ?
The thought was healing oil to my
troubled spirits, and was soon asleep,
happily ignorant of the long struggle
entailed upon me by my resolution, of
the cost of medical courses and the diff
fculty of persuading patients that
woman can be fit to undertakea "case,"
It was wonderful how often MIR. Glea-
son found it necessary, after that, to
come to the pump at the kitchen door
for drink, and how he persisted in not
noticing the glass which l placed there
for his accommodation, but tmust always
come into the kitchen, no matter how
busy was. aud trouble me to get one
for him, and pause awhile to talk.
found out one thing. could talk.
and no one had ever tried to draw me
out before.
was not alarmed when I found that
I watched eagerly for his coming. I
told myself that no one whose friend
ship was worth caring for had ever be-
fore treated me like rational being
and an equal, and that had this friend
been woman, my love would have been
just the same.
We talked on every subject, from the
lore of legends to international politics,
and 1 never dreamed that it was more
than the pleasure of speaking on sub
jects remote from puddings and pies
that made me cIre for Mr.. Gleason.
I had terrible awakening. One day
he was just leavin g me when voice on
the lawn was heard to call out
Where's Mr.. Gleason ?"
"Down in the kitchen, suppose,
courting the cook" was the answer,
more suggestive than ladylike.
Il was not the heat Of the stove that
made my face burn at that moment, and
the thought flashed into my mind that
had an unquestionable right to be
courted. Just as Mr.. Gleason re- entered
the room and said:
"That coarse jest on the lawn has
made me resolve to ask you now what I
had intended to defer to a later day. /
love you, Miss Allston will you be my
wife P''
"Oh, no. no, Mr.. Gleason Where
is your honor, to trifie with the affections
of Elsie, then seek to wed me2 lam
surprised beyond measure. / thought
better Of you. Col"
"I cannot tell what you may have
heard," he replied with a pale, stern