Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1884-04-03
THE PRIVATE SECRETARY.

FlemluR caught slRht ol me.
Don't 80 yet, Arthur" be sad al
want YOU to do ME n favor. You saw
me with lady.dress in blue p
as-eot.d. "A beautiful girl, with
dark hair aud eyes ?"
"The s,me," he responded. Her
nsme is lydia Moreton; beautiful as
you say, and what is no less interesting,
Iheiress to half million. | want you
to be introduced 10 her and form gen
leral idea of her. 1t is very important
matter"
| started.
"what part am to play in this mys
terious drama?' | asked in surprise /;
surely YOU do not propose to adjust
your inclination for the lady by what
may think Of her after a few momens :
Of acquaintance ?"
81 will explain sfterward, - he replied,
come and see her first
Very much mystihed, followed him
into the conservatory, where was for
mally introduced TO Miss Aoreton. On
taking my place be.ide her, saw that
Fleming had left US to ourselves. ! con.
les. was not displeased, for ! found
her very charming. We were on good
terms immediately, and ! was half in
clined tn be angry with Willard when
he ret1rbed and took me away from
her.
= II envy you" said. '.She is exqui.
site"
II am glad you spprose," he replied,
but it is by no means tettled yet, and
thst is why want your help
~ wish you would not talk in riddles,
willard, exclaimed Tell me what
you mean"
"Just this" he said, taking nay ann
con6dentially II think have produced
an impression, but she is going away TO.
morrow, for year, shall have no op.
porturity of following it up. | have
gained her permission TO correspond
with her, and you are going 70 write my
letters for me-"
49, replied. "You seriously ey.
pect me to correspond with her in youT
|. name p
"Just So" he said. "'It Is tho briel t.
est idea that ever entered my head. too
Now, | write an abominsble letter, snd
and in spite Of the undermining b.
tween Us, might do myself more harm
than good. You have an especial talent
that way. Every yoody admires your
letters, for you can produce any impres.
sion you choose. You have a general
impression Of her character; that is
Why | introduced you. If you will un.
dertake the campaign, adding little
more warmth and that sort OF thing in
each successive letter, We shall capture
her before the year is out"
at strikesme the course you propose
is not strictly delicate or honorable" |
replied, Indignantly. "What will she
think Of us when she discovers the
truth ?"
"Oh, never mind that" he returned
'arelessly. after have made her Mrs
Fleming I'll undertake so paoify her.
| was on the point of refusing posi-
= lively when Miss Moreton, on her way
to her carriage, met US in the hall. She
smiled and gave me her hand. What
was there in her look, her voice, the
touch of her small, gloved palm, that
stirred me so7 What was the wave o
regret that swelled up in my heart as
saw her turn once more to the door and
smile back her farewell7 stood in q
profound revoric until Fleming plucked
me by the arm and said, impatiently:
well, what Is your decision2 viii
YOU write TO her p
In an instant the thought entered
my brain that, though she could nevei
be nothing more than pleasant visior
10 me, might at least retain the bittel
happiness Of holding intercourse with
her for n time, even IL under another
mans name. The temptation was ire
sistzble, and yielded.
"Yes," replied, 81 will write YOU
letters"
"Ths thing is done then,' he raid
rubbing his hands eleefully. ~ sbal
owe you the hsndsomcst wife in Ameri
ca, and half million, besides"
+ | turned away with throb Of indig
nant envy, and left him exulting owe
I his anticipated success. That night