Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1884-05-08

"I will certainly remember that two
are company, but three none" ans
wered Connie, laughing.
She could afford to be- good.natured
for she was engaged to handsome
young lieutenant. the only son OF the
rector, and would be married on his re-
turn from the next voyage.
The day OF the picnic arrived. The
weather was superb, and everybody was
in high spirits, except the originator OF
the holiday. AZ starting he looked pale,
and his manner WAS pre-occupied and
nervous, unlike his usual bright, gen.
al self. Mrs. Derwent and her daugh.
ter exchanged glances, Kate's was trium.
phant, and she saw herself, in imagina.
ton, returning home the promised bride
OF the rich and popular Maurice CheS.
ter, Of Chester Grove, as he had renamed
his splendid home.
BY the time they arrived at their dcsi.
nhtion, Maurice had quite recovered his
usual spirits, and was soon rowing Kate
and some other gay young friends on
the lake, while Aunt Margery walked
quietly along it's margin alone and
rather sad, for she could not but recall,
as the sound OF their merry laughter
came to her from the water, her own
bright youth, when she had been sur
rounded by love and friendship, as Kate
was now. She felt a little hurt, too,
that Mr.. Chestsr had not offered her "A
seat in the boat; it was not like his
usual kind thoughtfulness for all which
she had 90 constantly in him.
"Ah, well, am only Aunt Margery
to him, suppose. dare say look
forty, at least, beside Kate" she
thought.
But it was not in her nature to spend
long in rcpjninp. She wa-' 'oon engaged
in a merry hunt through the maze
with the younger members ofthe party,
and when the rowing party returned,
shouts Of "Auntie, where are you ?''This
way, Johnnie e. Take the path TO the
right Keep round to the lef, :" oh
am lost" resoundcd through the
usually silent ruins.
Presently Mnrgery found a GAP in the
hedge, which she plunged through, call
ing on Reggie, hor Younger nephew, to
follow hc,.
I'm coming, Aunt Mareory wait a
momcntr he cried.
But, willing to give him a good chase,
Margery sped on, and presently found
herself in a small stone grotto, in which
the path unexpectedly terminated. and
shut in on either side by masses OF TN
glcd brushes and underwood. Breath.
less. she sat down on little worm-eaton
wooden bench, and waited for Reggie.
Footsteps soon were hurd on tho leaf
strevn path and srr,nging out, intend
ing 10 give Reggie a start. Margery few
right into the arms of Maurice Che.
ter.
Kate herself could not have blushei
more yiyidly than did Margery st this
unlocked for visitor to her retreat, nor,
had 1t been Kate. would Maurice have
looked more embarrassed, or have had
a brighter look Of pleasure on hi- hand.
some face directly after.
"Pray, excuse me, Mr.. Chester /
thought you were Reggie" exclaimed
Mnrgory, who, woman like, was the frs,
to recover herself
"Wcll, Miss Derwcnt really think
YOU owe mo some apology far so nearly
knocking me down what sort of q
place is this" he continued, coolly
looking around him, and not oHarincto
relugui.h the hand he had caught
when Marrcry dartcd out upon him.
"Itis very nice place. think We
will 60 back, Reggie cannot Gud me. ''
said Margcry, blushiug more deeply.
and trying to withdraw her hand.
II don't want Reggie or any ono else
TO find you Just now, though am only
too glad ! have done so." answered
Maurice, and be- gently drew her hnck to
tho grotto. come and sit down iust for
a few moments ! have something to toll
YOU"
Mnrecry. face grew pale again, aud
with o gentle, pet dienifed movement
she Withdrew her hand.
"IIc is going to tell me that he loves
Kate, and wishes to marry her" she
thought. And with another sigh for her
own vanished youth, when love and 10Y
and happy marriage had lain within
the limits Of sweet probability for her
future life, she seated herseelf To lis