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

Eir, TO ask you If you'd go up and see
Miss Amy, as she's all alone"
4 shade of reluctance crossed the
face of Charles Rickard, but he an
swered:
''Oertainly, if she is we'll enough"
Perhaps it was selfish, but it seemed
hard to him just then to leave the sunny
brightness and fresh air for the depress-
ing atmosphere of an invalid's cham
ber. especially when he had come ex.
pecting to see some one brighter and
sresher in his eyes than the November
sunshine and leaf rustling breeze.
He entered, however, with smile,
md was soon seated opposite Amy's
pouch, noting with inward compassion
that the dark eyes were more sunken,
The face more wan and eager, than
when he last occupied that place.
"Poor little thingl' he said, cross
ing one leg over the knee of the other,
knd staring at her. "How long have
you been left alone T'
"Only few days, " said Amy, return.
ing his gaze with one 80 piercing that
he felt as though she must read his in
most heart. 81 don't mind. like it.
Ihey have gone to London to be shown
at least, Tita to be shown, and Thirza
10 take care of her."
Rlckard uncrossed his legs.
To be shown r. he repeated.
Yes. You know that Madelon and
her husband were coming from the
cape, didn't you2"
He nod led, and thoughtfully iingled
The pendants to his watch.chain.
"Wel. they are here-children and
ell; but must go back on the third in
kbout fortnight. And they have
brought back with them an unreason-
able brother of Fred 's-Bernard by
Rame-who wants to marry wife and
lake her back with him.
She paused, but her auditor said
nothing.
$50 Msdelou thinks it would be very
charming if he would take a fancy to
Tita. So it wou for her. She came
Hown here and told us all about it; what
= nice fellow her brother-in. law is, how
handsome, and great deal more, and
has carried those two back to London
10 see him."
"Pfl How stupid |" as there was a
crack, and little gold pencil. case, de.
biining to be bent any farther, came in
kwo pieces.
Very" said Amy, drily. 60
should break yourself of the habit of
idgeting things about. For my part I
hate handsome men,"
"No-do youT and he called up
look OF concern that brought sudden
laugh from the invalid.
"Dont be uneasy. I, at least, don't
include you among that class"
"Does any oneP ?" he asked, with in
difference.
"How can I tellP Probably not.
By the way, this Mr.. Bernard Colvin
has eight hundred year."
Has hep" said Rickard, adding, in
IN undertone: "Confound himP,
"For shsmel" said Amy. whose ears
we're unnsturally quick. "What made
yeu come in this afternoon p
"What indeedl'' he said, trying to
d together the broken pencil-case.
Amy was silent, and when he raised
his eyes after few minutes he saw in
Eors CLEAN of tears. He looked away
quickly and Redeemed with compunc-
lion. though ignorant of what he had
szid to hurt her.
"I suppose it was to hear about
Tika," che said, sharply. recovering her
ali. "Mr. Rickard. do you think you
szght to come here so oftenP"
"Why shouldn't I 2"
Because you are poor, and so are
we. You're angry, but can't help it,.
We have no father or mother, and
Thirza is too soft-hearted to say anything
I can see you are vexed that Tita is gone
- London, but you can't ask her to
gzarEy you. You couldn't support a
wife, nor have you any prospect of being
better off soon. Yet you come here
constantly and try your best to make
Tar care for you. I don't think il's
mmly or fair"
He did not answer or look up; but
sor space surveyed his boots. at last
80 broke the silence with:
Haye you anything to read? I'll