Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-05-04

| A"oJ Fubo VI ueE Felfet CnesR DeyOuu
the pillar to feel the color surge all
over his own face, and the sudden sound
of her voice would at any time make
his heart cease boating for the fraction
of second. Still he hesitated.
Not 80 Mr.. Popison. He knew what
he wanted, and he meant to ave it. It
is true that he had thought so in more
than one instance before, but that, he
said, was in his green and callow days;
and il his hand had been refused, he
was glad Of it, as that left it free TO Of
fer Mary Dunlap. He had known
Mary Dunlap since che was baby;
had given her her first gibraltars and
her last butter scotches she had spent
his pennies and sat on his knee, had
combed his hair with her tiny fingers :,
and kissed his mouth with her sweet
innocent lirs he had been her conf
dant, and had known every thought OF
her pure heart and then she had gone
away to school, had spent q winter in
New York society, and had como back
SO gay and brilliant heart-breaker
that he found himself the victim of o
passion of which all his other flames
h. d been mockeries.
He, past forty-fve, to hope for the
love OF girl of twenty Yet, hopeless
or not, he hovered round her like a
moth, and found James Macarthur just
enough in his way to hinder urging his
point. Or was it Mary Dunlap herself
who hindered it-Mary Dunlap, unable
to decide whether she preferred James
Macarthur, with his bold black eyes, his
proud comeliness and splendid youth,
or Mr.. Popison, just beginning to be
bald, with his half-n illion Of money.
Once, when she heard James Macarthur
reproach a servant who had delayed
with note Of hers, she thought Mr..
Popison's indulgent kindness was some
thing desirably restful. On the other
hand, when she looked at James Nc
Arthur's dark dazzle Of beauty, the daily
sight Of so plain a face as Mr.. Popison's
seemed q sorry fate-and Popison was
such dreadful namel But Mary would
not have her thoughts d we'll on more than
the step before her. There was some
thing too unmaidenly in even acknowl-
edging to herself preference for one
who did not declare love for her. Yet
she could not help the plunging in her
breast when she found James McArthur's
eyes resting on her with light behind
them that made her feel the next mo
ment would bring the word she awaited:
and she could not help just then being
especially kind to Mr.. Popison, partly
from pity, partly from mischief, partly,
and chiefly, lest sho betrayed herself
Life with James McArthur-time and
eternity with him--that seemed dream
of earthly romance and heavenly bliss.
And yet
MARY" said her Aunt Sophy, "you
are wrong'to encourage Mr.. Popison so.
You certainly cant mean to marry
him"
al don't know" said Mary. "I
should always like to have him around"
Days and months went by, and still
things remained as they we're. James
Macarthur went his long business jour.
neys, and in his absence Mr.. Poipson
filled the vacant place; he returned,
andthen there were the moon lit strolls.
the sails, the rides again, and that was
all. In spite Of the temporary pleasure
of such strolls and sails, in spite Of her
gayety and her merry firtations with
Others than these, il was not q happy
season to Mary Dunlap. Her nerves
began to feel q strange agitation;
conversation irritated her; slamming
doors made her spring; small excite
ments set her to quivering; she had no
appetite; she slept little; her color
began TO fade. One day Mr.. Popison
said to her: "Mary, 1 have been OBJ
serving you, and think perhaps l do
you an injury in wishing to make you
my wife. shall always care for you.
always watch over you. But | with
draw that tacis offer of marriage, which.
il have never formally made. you have
long been conscious Of"
That capped the whole. She must be
growing n fright. She had lost all her
charm. Even Mr.. Popison did not want
to marry her any more. She turned on
him her eyes, like sapphires set with
diamonds, like violets glittering with
dew, and burst into tears. II made his
heart ache. But from that moment he
was person to her Of . certain moral
dignity, dignity which could not be-
long 10 James Macarthur, who neither
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