Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-12-01
SETTLING A FLIRT !;
Peter nIackey's Three SWesthearts.

Peter Maekey's Three SWesthearts.
BIT R.A.s.
Though l am, l suppose, an old maid, |
take much interest in other peoples love
affairs. Ny friends know and humor this
little weakness, and consequently, in the
course of twenty years or 80, | have collect.
ed large number Of love stories. They
are of all kinds-ssd. joyful, touching,
absurd, sentimental or eccentric. But per
hsps the oldest of them all is the one
am about to relate.
The reasons which decided me to spend
a twelvemonth in certain little Aberdeen
shire village, unknown to common ken,
need not be entered into here. / had
cottage to myself, and one maid servant,
5y name Mary DQthie And what pretty
creature she was, with her golden hair and
big gray eyes, and tall supple figure. 1t
was q real pleasure to see her at her work,
in her spotless lilac gown and tucked-up
sleeves, and to watch the fascinating, I'M
conscious grace with which che did the sim
p!est thing.
| am afraid spoiled that girl. She was
engaged to Jem Leslie, farmers SOD,
who nearly worried the life out of her by
his iealoasy-tor which / suspect he had
sometimes cause. The two qusrreled
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 for ever; but
very much astonished indeed to hear few
weeks later that she had promised herself
to Peter Msekey.
We'll, Mary" | said to her, II do not
wish to NEEDLE with love affairs, but
must say that | think Jem the better man
of the two"
But Mary tossed her pretty head and re-
marked with reference TO her rejected low
er that she Was weary o the crsstures
havers, an had jist tsuld him that he
medina fash himser about her ony msir,
for she eud cen tax care o her main
sell. Peter Msckey she told me, was
about to start for Aberdeen, q well-to-do
uncle having found 9 good situation for
him there.
knew something Of Mr.. Peter, as he
vas my landlords only son. he was 9
tall, handsome young fellow, with "gweed
aneuch held" as his father used to say,
but an all too susceptible heart. A pretty
face captiyated him directly, though his
attachments were generally more violent
than lasting. l had made up my mind
that he would marry Jeanne Saunderson, q
handsome enough lassie, good house
keeper and an heiress in small way; but
jeanne bad left Eve or six months ago for
London, to visit ON in6rm aunt, and now
Peter was engaged to Mary Duthie ]
was vexed about the whole affair, especially
ss | sympathizsd with poor Jem Leslie.
Yet certainly it was no concern Of mine.
do not think that Mary ever received
any love letters from Aberdeen. 1t was
not the fashion in her village in those days
tor lovers to correspond. But she always
wore round her neck half of the sixpsuce
which Peter had broken with her, 80 that !
began to be quite in despair for my favor
lite 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 return
of Jeanne Ssunderson from London, and
visit paid by her to her old acquaintance,
Mary Duthie. The two girls had not been
together more than quarter of an hour,
when sounds of violent weeping proceeded
from the kitchen. fastening in TO see
what was the matter found Jeanne AID
Mary minghng their tears over some let
ters which lay on the table. jeanne greet
ed me respectfully, and on my inquiring
the cause Of their grief, handed me letter,
saying:
will ys be pleased to read that mem 2
II was sn effusion OF Peter Msckeys,
dated nine months back. It began: MY
dearest Jeanie," spoke of the writer's unsl'
terable affection, reminded Jeanne OF her
promise to become his wife IS soon as he
should be able to provide suitable home
for her, and was signed, Your own Patio
Unjust confess that my first feeling on
reading this was one OF satisfaction at my
own diacernment. 80 you we're engaged
after all | remarked; "but Why was
nothing said about it, and why was 1t
broken OFF
100" said jeanne, looking st me indlg
nantly, "Patie Just asked me to be bis vile
the vera day before / sailed, so there
wssns muekls time to lat it be known.
An as for Is being broken Of, it's Pate
We must speir at sboot that, for never
heard tell OF till this day. En- but men
are deceigers! Bat that's no the warst
Of .msml Mary, give the lady Mrs. Biz:
ketIs letter.
Mrs Birkst, it appeared, was Peters
landlady in Aberdeen, and had written
that morning to Mary Duthie's mother,
whom she had known when they were girls
together, to ask some particulars of Peter 9
family and sntecsdents, IS her neice and
adopted daughter Mary Hine, was soon
( 10 be married to him.
Heard ys ever the ike o thstT eK-
claimed jeanne; the man must be clean
daft"
quite agreed with her, for had never
known q man before who was engaged to
three women at once. Doubtless Peter
considered his first two affairs as mere
Air,siions; still his former sweethesrts
had in their possession q letter and 8
pledge which would be evidence against
him 10 court Of law. But any proceed
I ipy If this hind vvaa so foreign IN fha ma.