Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-06-21

| Never mind, Charming Bette, he SAID,
when he came TO kiss me good by
In few years | will be nicely fixed;
perhaps rich, who knows? Anyway
I'll have good start. and | will come
back and carry you away And then
he was gone, and that was the end, for
when David Allyn came home at the
end of two years he did not come alone;
he brought his wife with him.
"They staid here little while, and
| then went back to the city. met her,
once, in church and | overheard her
ask David who that ugly little thing
with the red face was he was staring
at so hard?" If that was Charming
Bette? That day | walked for the
first time after Davids marriage up
the Ilillman cottage road, and. although
| shed many bitter tears, resolved not
to let what had happened spoil my life
for me; but somehow it has" the
spinster ended sadly, and she stared at
the fire with dim eyes.
Miss Bette, she is dead now" the
girl said softly, after a little pause,
"and he is widower."
Priscilla had been staring at the fire
also, and weaving a little romance Of
her own.
flush, child" Miss Sligo cried,
How can you? She has not been in
her grave year yet, and David Allyn
will never marry again, anyway. His
romance, like mine, is ended"
Miss Priscilla kissed the maiden lady's
faded cheek, and ilung her young arms
afectionately around her.
"I shall love you better than ever.
now" She said, tendcrly and | hope
some day things will yet come right"
Then she went away and Miss
Bette stood in her open window for
some time after, looking at the sunset.
Lawyer Allyn saw her as he came
up the street from his Office. He had
moved 10 R from the city. and
walked more slowly as he came to the
little b.own house among the trees.
They always spoke TO ono other; it
always seemed foolish not to speak. 50
when he got hy the window he said:
Your flowers are looking very fresh
and nice, Miss Bette"
The spinstcr gave one Of her little
nervous starts. She had not seen him
coming. Her hand struck against one
Of the howcr-pots and knocked it over.
It rolled of the narrow sill. and lay at
David Allyn's feet.
"lt is broken to pieces" he said.
picking it up, with a little smile on his
thin, salIow face, "hut l am going to
keep it-may | not}"
YES If you want TO-" she made
answer, a little hrcathlcssly.
He took the plant "a palc-pink ger
anium-out of the carthcrn pot, and
shook a little Of the dirt of the roots.
This shall bloom in my window" he
said," and | am going to name it
Charming Bette in memory Of other
days"
Miss SIigo's face flushed a deep red.
"Good-night," she said, abruptly and
was about shutting the window She
felt shocked; his wife had not been
dead year
NO, don't 20 yet" David Allyn
said. his hand on the fence railing.
Then he seemed TO remember himself.
Very well, goodnight" ne added
and walked slowly away. the little
pink geranium in his hand.
\ few days later, another stormy
afternoon, near dusk. Miss Sligo heard
a knock at her front door. There, on
the porch, was Lawyer Allyn.
Miss Bette smoothcd her curls
quickly and hastcnei to the door. She
led the way to the little parlor.
Take this chair" she said. drawing
a large rocker close to the tire.
The lawyer held out his hands to the
blaze.
you have a snug little home. Miss
Bette" he observed. 81 suppose you
would never be willing 10 leave it now"
81 am attached % the house." the
spinster said, grayely. MY dear
father and mother both died here, and
it has many associations"
She was sitting in another rocking
caair near by, and had taken up her
knitting.
David Allyn watched the swiftly
| ing needles.
Don't YOU ever get lonely" he ask
{ oJ af4nr f..t- ,.1a-. ~