Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-08-10

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They shook hands and his large form
filled the doorway, then vanished
while the cripple, having listened till
the. front door closed after him, sank
back and pressed her thin fingers to hel
eyes.
81 wish he had said something" she
moaned. 81 have sent him away, when
perhaps he would have stayed. have
hurt him through my wretched spite
and jealousy, and he would not even be
, angry"
She lay with her eyes hidden, and
burning tears squeezing their way
through the Closed lids; but when Mrs.
Judd, who was half-housekeeper, half
nurse, appeared with her tea, she had
conquered herself sufficiently to avert
inquiry.
Poor Amy had always been cripple,
but OF late she had given up the crutch,
with the aid of which she had once
contrived to move from one place to
another, and resigned herself to lying
on couch day after day, conscious of
her increasing helplessness. She was
little soured by the contrast she af-
forded to her three sisters, who all
reveled in the possession of health and
beauty.
A few days later, Thirza, the elder,
who had arrived at the sober age of
thirty, and Tita, the youngest of the
family, returned to NIilhurst. They
entered Amy's room together. before
removing their hats, alike yet widely
differing.
Tita ran forward and pressed q warm
kiss on each slim cheek.
"Here are we two selfish wretches
back again at last, with heaps of things
to tell you"
How have you been, ducky?" asked
Thirza, advancing as Tita drew back,
kneeling beside the sofa, throwing her
hat aside, and laying her face, with its
tumbled fair hair, against her sisters;
then lifting it to look anxi ously into
her eyes.
"Just as usual" said Amy; "but 1
am glad to have you back. After tea
you must tell me everything"
She repressed her impatience until
the evening, and then all three settled
themselves comfortably for long chat,
having previously excluded the lamp,
in Difference to Amy's preference for
the freight.
Thir2a had all the narration to her
self, for Tita gazed into the fire; and
Amy silently watched Tita, about whose
eyes and mouth hovered look of pain
and weariness that should not have be-
longed to her years. She was evidently
debating some point in her mind, a
point the shrewd cripple quickly di-
vined.
"And do you like him, Tita," Amy
asked, when the account of the last few
days was ended.
She looked round with sta
"Like whom?"
"This Bernard Colvin." ~
"Yes, well enough"
"Well enough to marry him?
"Whatl on weeks acquaintance
No, thank you"
81 should know man through and
through in a week. Thirza, did he ad-
mire her ?"
"Of course he did," and Thirza
smiled at the absurdity of the question.
"But have you had no one here while
we have been away ?"
Amy's blush was visible even in the
uncertain light.
"Only Charliel''
A perceptible culver passed over
Tita, and her dreamy look changed
to one of attention, though she did not
move.
"He sent me some books,n Amy
added, and there was an uncomfortable
silence.
After few minutes Tita said she was
tired, and with goodnight kiss to each
went to bed.
"I am afraid" said Thirza, later on,
"that she would marry this man out of
pique, because Charlie says nothing. I
think he ought to speak out, and come
to an understanding with her. I am
sure it would be better"
"Thirza," said the cripple. irrelevant
ly, shave you never, never once, been
the least bit in loye2"
"Never, dear"
care you quite sureP can't under.
stand it."
81 am glad that It has been SC,
aas1 -. L. Il