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

and all her fortune, exec a small sum
which just found in her clothes, while
her brother insisted, upon her making
his house her home.
AtfrstMrs. Dsrwent objected but then
finding Margery very useful to call up
in the night in case Of sudden illness TO
help take care Of the children, and to
make herself generally useful, as poor
relations are expected to do, she ceased
to grumble, and Margery found herself
settled at Derwent house, with sort
of half recognition in society, the back
seat of the carriage, the coldest place at
the fireside always hers, in return for
being constantly at every ones beck
and call.
She had never teen beauty, ut she
had been pretty and lively, and much
sought after Ia society when che was
the only de- ing OF a rich man, and at
first the change had been very bitter 10
her, but OF late che had grown passively
reoonciled TO her lot. Ten years OF the
same uHvarying round had quite driven
from her mind any hope ofchsnge. She
was cold Aunt Margery" to her nieees
and all their giddy circle of young ac.
quaintan and had quite resigned
herself to remain so to the end OF the
chapter.
So she took little or no int"rest
in the hutter of pr. . 'tion caused
among the girls by tnr ,om,ng OF the
eligible bachelor, though with her custo-
mary amiability, she was always ready
with her advice and assistance in mat.
tiers Of the toilet, which we're TO help
captivate him when he came.
The girls had persuaded Mrs. Derwent
to give small evening party the week
after his arrival, aud ss that lady had
seen and approved of him as capital
match for Kate they had very littlo
difficulty in getting their Own way in
the matter and arranging it on q scale
of grandeur never before seen at Mauud.
bury, except at the stately partic. given
once a year at my Lord Maundbury's
own house, at which royalty was some
times present.
But doubt If even royalty's own gra.
oious presence could have made that
party more successful it served for a
subject OF conversation for long time
aft'rwarl. Maurice Chester made him.
selfso agreeable, and proved to be such an
admirable hand at arranging impromptu
charSies, playing on his violin, dane.
ing, singing and talking. that he vas
unanimously voted success OF the even.
ing, and his coming into the neighbor.
hood was considered an unqualified gain
by both old aud young.
The quiet little sleepy town Of Maund
bury went nearly mad over him, and
numberle's we're the dinners, balls and
evening parties given in his honor dur.
the next four months.
The namr OF Maurice Chester was in
every mouth he vas voted - darling -
"a gem, by the ladies', and "a brick, p
and "a jolly good fellow by their
brothers. lie WAS go dark and sun.
burned that ne looked bis thirty FIVE
years, but then he wa, tall and hand.
some, with noble features and winning
manners, and all the young ladies en-.
Wed Kate Dcrwent. who being the most
beautiful and accomplished lady n the
circle, would naturally stand the best
chance Of winning such a prize.
Mrs. D rwent had ascertaincd that he
was not engaged. IIe had been, in
lis early youth, but the lady, q clergy
mans daughter, had died Of a fever
caught through visiting the poor, on
the eve Of their marriage. and he had
seen no one since that he wished to put
in her place. This interesting iuforma.
ton being speedily circulated, made
him more popular than ever-quitc o
hero Of romance in fact.
And mamma says that j. very likely
the reason he Is so gentle and attentive
to ladies'. why, he is quite as nice to
her and other married ladies "a to us
young ones, and~-did you notice p
the other evening he actually danced
with Aunt MargeryT
Which last exploit OF the hero was
evidently considered an unnecessary
waste Of his, good Offices by Miss Der
went. Still less did she approve Of his
next proceeding, which was to send to
London for two songs which Aunt
Margery happened to mention had been
her favorites long ago, but which she
had lost through lending them TO an
acquaintance.