Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-07-19

quickly "Tm not very strong. and
couldn't assume any responsibility of
this arduous nature. Besides. I'm not
fond of children. I'm greatly Obliged
to you. I'm sure, but I'd rather not"
Jerome Clay bit his lip.
"Of course" he said, "it is for you
TO decide. But if Bessie"
The poetess shrugged her shoulders,
and laughed light, shrill-sounding
cachinnation.
cousin Jerome" said she, "it's Just
as well to be frank about these matters.
| wouldn't marry poor man-not if |
loved him like Romeo and Juliet. It's
bad enough to scrape along rs we do
here, with only half what one requires
to live on decently. But to plunge
into poverty, with two or three children
belonging to another woman-no, /
thank youl"
For time. as may easily be perceived,
had eliminated a great deal of the
poetical element from Bessie Neely's
soul
The quondam Undine did not wait
for the question. rs far as she was con
cerned, but added, promptly, that she
quite agreed with her sisters in all
these matters.
ITS such a pity you didn't stay here
where you were well off, Jerome" said
she, in the plying, patronizing manner
which your genuine man most abhors.
Dear pa, you know, always disap-
proved Of your going South. And you
might have got the situation of agent
to the White Castle place, at eight
hundred year, and cottage found, If
you'd only been here on the spot. Pa
used to know the old agent, and could
have recommended your
jerome smiled.
"White Castlc2" said he. That's
the big house on the hill, where we
children used 10 peep at the roses and
white grapes through the glass sides Of
the great greenhouse. \ grand place
rs | remember it,"
And the position Of agent IS most
responsible and highly considered
broke in Bessie.
Jerome Clay went away, feeling
rather depressed
1t is not the lot Of every man 10 be
thrice rejected in one evening.
They think | am a failure in life"
said he, half smiling. half signing.
"Well, perhaps they are not wrong
Peoples ideas differ"
Aurilla Haven, the old farmers
daughter. had been a wild hoyden Of a
school girl when Jerome Clay went
South She was a silent, pale woman
of thrccani-thirty now, who did the
"taiIoTess" work Of the neighborhood,
and had hard work TO get along
But her dark-brown eyes lighted up
when Mr.. Clay spoke Of his far-off
home, and her cheek glowed scarlet
when Mr.. ~cwcll chucklcd out:
$50 the three old maids wouldn't
have nothing to say to you? Ha, ha,
ha"'
DO you blame them ?" said Jerome
"Wel, no." confessed the old man.
Gals naturally want to better them
selves nowadays. II you'd come back
with your pockets full Of gold, they'd
sing different song you'd see"
Aurilla looked pityingly at jerome
Clay. She, too, had found life a fail
ure, and in her quiet way did all that
she could to comfort the tall. quiet
man who had hired the spare chamber
in her fathers house for few weeks.
since his cousins had altogether omit
ted To invite him 70 be their guest at
the old place.
'''' N'A' h'b IA'NNs h'''i if"A '''iA
but she had sweet. oval face. with
dark-fringed eyes. and a mild, wistful
expression which Jerome Clay liked.
And one day she spoke out what
was in her heart.
"Mr. Clay" she said. 81 can't help
thinking Of those poor, little. mother
less children Of yours. If you will
bring them here III take care Of them
always liked children, and it shall
cost you nothing Father will let me
have the big north bedroom for a
nursery, and their board won't signify
They can go to the public school, and
I'll make their clothes, if youll buy
the material"
"Aurilla, you are genuine woman"
said Mr.. Clay. earnestly. "None of my
cousins have spoken to me like this"