The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1885-02-07

for my favorite, Jem.
But after three months or so from
Peter Mackey's departure for Aber-
deem, some little incidents occurred
which showed up that young man
in his true light.
The first Of these events was the
return of Jeanie Saunderson from
London, and visit paid by her tc
old acquaintance, Mary Duthie
The two girls had not been together
more than a quarter of an hour
when sounds of violent weeping
proceeded from the kitchen. Has
tening in to see what was the matter
1 found Jeanie and Mary mingling
their tears over some letters which
lay on the table. Jeanie greeted me
respectfully, and on my inquiring
the cause of their grief, handed me
a letter, saying:
''Will ye be pleased to read that
menu"
1t was an effusion of Peter Mac
keys dated nine months back. II
began, "My dearest Jeanie," spoke
of the writer's unalterable affection,
reminded Jeanie of her promise to
become his wife as soon as he should
be able to provide a suitable home
for her, and was signed your own
Patie."
must confess that my first feel
ing on reading this, was one of sat
isfaction at my own discernment.
$50 you were engaged after all, "
l remarked "but why was nothing
said about it, and why was it broken
Off"
"Ou," said Jeanie, looking at me
Indignantly, "Patie just asked me to
be his wife the vera day before 1
sailed, so there wasna' muckle time
to lat it be known. And as for It's
being broken off, its Patie ye must
spier at aboot that, for l never heard
tell OF till this day. Ehl but men
are deceiversI But that's no. the
warst OF, menl Mary, give the lady
Mrs. Birket's letter."
Mrs. Birket, it appeared, was Pc
ter's landlady in Aberdeen, and had
written that morning to Mary
Duthie's mother, whom she had
known when they were girls togeth-
er, to ask some particulars of Peters
family and antecedents, as her niece
and adopted daughter, Mary Hine,
was soon to be married to him.
Heard we ever the like o. that ?"
exclaimed Jeanie. "The man must
be clean daft ~
quite agreed with her, for | had
never known a man before who was
engaged to three women at once.
Doubtless Peter considered his first
two affairs as mere fiirtations. Still,
his former sweethearts had in their
possession a letter and q pledge
which would be evidence against
him in court of law. But any pro-
ceeding of this kind was so foreign
to the natures and prejudices of the
injured girls that I did no more
than hint it.
The following morning Mary ask
ed my permission to go for day OF
two to Aberdeen with Jeanie Saun.
derson, as they had thought of q
plan for bringing their lover to his
senses.
"Gin we dinna' maxi Peter think
shame to himself, my names no
Jeanie Saunderson," were the part.
ing words of that damsel.
Meanwhile Peter was happy in
the society of his (latest) betrothed
who was a very charming girl; and
it may be little to my hero's ex
cuse to remark that few men coulc
have seen her bonny face and listen
ed to her sweet voice evening after
evening, without falling in love with
her. The susceptible Peter certainly
could not, but throwing all ole
memories to the winds, proposed
and was accepted.
Such being the state of affairs
Peters feelings may be imagined
when, on entering Mrs. Birket's par
lor one evening, after his days worl
was over, he saw seated by Mar,
Hine-Mary Duthie and Jeani
Saunderson.
Peters first impulse was to with
draw hastily, but Mrs. Birket mad
flight impossible by closing the doc
and standing between it and tn
conscience-stricken youth. "Jus
TAX a seat, Mr.. Mackey," said she
and the culprit sank into an empt
chair, placed at little distance fror
the other three ladies.
The situation was awkward in tn
extreme. The ladies continued thei
knitting without glancing at him
minute after minute passed, and tn
silence became intolerable. Pete
could hear the heating of his owr