The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1884-08-16
PETER MACKEY'S THREE SWEET
HEARTS,.

maid, take much interest in other
peoples love affairs, My friends know
and humor this little weakness, and
consequently in the course of twenty
years or so | have collected large
number of love-stories They are of
all kinds sad, joyful, touching, absurd,
sentimental, or eccentric. But perhaps
the oldest of them all is the one | am
about to relate.
The reasons which decided me to
spend twelvemonth in a certain little
Abcrdeenshire village. unknown to
common ken, need not be entered into
here. l had cottage to myself, and
one maidservant, by name Mary
Duthie. And what a pretty creature
she was, with her golden hair and big
gray eyes, and tall supple figure. It
was real pleasure to see her at her
work. in her spotless lilac gown and
tucked-up sleeves, and to watch the
fascinating, unconscious grace with
which she did the simplest thing
am afraid | spoiled that girl. She
was engaged to Jem Leslie a farmer
son, who nearly worried the life out of
her by his jealousy-for which sus-
pect he had sometimes cause. The two
quarreled nearly every Sabbath, but
always made it up again in the course
OF the week; so that was by no means
surprised when Mary informed
me one DAY that she had broken
of with Jem Leslie forever; but
very much astonished indeed to hear a
few weeks later, that she had promised
herself to Peter Mackey.
s.Wal1 Morr .o;J 10 Lor .u IL
not wish to intermeddle with love-
affairs, but | must say that think Jem
the better man of the two"
But Mary tossed her pretty head and
remarked with reference to her rejected
lover, that ''she was weary O. the
creatures havers, an had list tauld
him that he medina fash himself ABBOTT
her'ony mair, for she cud e en- tax care
o her main sell" Peter Mackey, she
tod me, was to start for Aberdeen, a
well-to-do uncle having found good
situation for him there.
knew something of Mr. Peter, as he
was my landlords only son. He was a
tall. handsome young fellow, with a
''gweed aneuch held" as his father
used to say, but an all-too susceptible
heart. A pretty face captivated him
directly, though his attachments were
generally more violent than lasting. I
had made up my mind that he would
marry Jeanie Saunderson, handsome
enough lassie, agood housekeeper. and
an heircss in small way, but Jeanne had
loft five or six months ago for London,
to visit an infirm aunt, and now Peter
was engaged to Mary Duthie. | was
a bo uh.,1o 90. s-1l
as sympathised with poor Jem Leslie.
Yet certainly it was no concern of
mine.
do not think that Mary ever re.
ceived any love-letters from Aberdeen.
1t was not the fashion in her village in
those days for lovers to correspond.
But she always wore round her neck
half OF the sixpsnce which Peter had
broken with her, so that began to be
quite in despair for my favorite Jem.
But after three months or so from
Peter Mackey's departure for Aberdeen,
some little incidents occurred which
showed up that young man in his true
light.
The first of these events was the re-
turn of .Jeanie Saunderson from Lon
don, and visit paid by her to her old
acquaintance. Mary Duthie. The two
girls had not been together moro than
quarter of an hour, when sounds of
violent weeping proceeded from the
kitchen. Fastening in to see what was
the matter, found Jeanie and Mary
mingling their tears over some letters
which lay on the table. Jeanie greeted
me respectfully, and on my enquiring
the cause of their grief, handed me q
letter, saying:
"Will We be pleased 10 read that,
menu"
1t was an effusion of Peter Mackey's,
dated nine months back. 1t began,
my dearest Jeanie." spoke of the
writer's unalterable affection, reminded
Jeanne of her promise to become his
wife as soon as he should be able to
provide suitable home fer her, and
was signed: ''Your own Patie.''
l must confess that my first feeling,
on reading this, was enc of satisfaction
at my own discernment. $50 you were
engaged after all. remarked; .sbnt
why was nothing said about it. and why
was it broken off?''
"Ou," said Jeanne, looking g me
Indignantly, Pate just asked me to
be his wife the vera day before / sailed,
so there wasna muckle time to lat it be
known. And as for rs being broken
of, it's Patio ye must speir at ABBOTT
that, for never heard tell OF till this
day. Eli! but men are deceivers! But
that's mo- the warst OF, mem! Mary,
give the lady Mrs. Birket's letter."
Mrs. Birket, it appears, was Peters
1S,1r~ - -. a ~ n p..sI ---.xx.