The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1892-07-15

both in ridiculc.
Music and promcnading through the
spacious house followed cards Cecil
hastcned To engage BESSIE "a compan-
ion. the author forcstalled hun. lie
walked angrily into the conservatory
and stopped before "A palm, ,rstensibly
examining it, but in reality anaIyzing
his state Of mind. Was he jealous? II
SO. he really loved BESSIE, bat could he
ask her TO he his when all he had seen
confirmed her coquetry?
Bessie and Hughes came near and
stopped before a large plant, but with
their backs toward Cecil, who was well
screened from them.
Miss Fallington." said the author, in
the unmistaiablc voice of devotion, do
you like literature"
u love IT," she replied Let me tell
you a little secret that You must never
reveal. | have lately had quite q num-
Der Of poems pubiished-anonymou
of course"
Adorable, ~ he Observation-Disclosures
You must show them To me"
BY no means You would criticise
the poor little attempts
Not for worlds They could not
help being full of fire ana genius. But
would you not like to devote your life,
yourself. to literaturc?"
oh! Mr.. Hughes, my humble talents
wouldn't last a fortnight
Il don't mean in that way; though
your talent would. I mean would you
not like to live always in = literary at
mosphcre-in fact, Miss Fallington, as
the wIfe Of an author?''
Pardon me. Mr.. Hughes" she ex-
claimed, but l DO believe this rare
plant is dying. / must tell father at
once"
Don't turn me aside" pleaded the
author. trying to catch her hand. Il
love you to"
''IIush. hush. Mr. Hughes" she
whispered. Here comes some one"
The some one was Tom rlotton, and
he was coming directly for them.
Mr.. Hughes" he said, they are
asking for you in the parlor. They're
discussing the authorship of 4 late
anonymous poem. They want you to
help them out
Very well, replied Hughes. gallant
". and ! think l can make Il good de
cision on the latest and directest infor-
nation
Don't you dare" exclaimed Bessie,
with :. light laugh, the meaning Of
author was out Of hearing.
On. I'm 50 glad you came. for. don't
you think, he was Just declaring his
love for me"
Both broke into hearty laugh. Con-
viction struck Cecil. If this wasn't an
evidence OF kcartlcss coquetry, what
could be? lie sincerely thanked his
good fortune that his doubt had kept
him from declaring his own love sever
al months before in a similar place.
And | have no doubt he heard
Plotton say. that II l were now to say
that / love you, you'd thank some one
for interrupting, and laugh as heartily
over my Stiffness. wouldn't you?''
Perhaps / should"
Though you have gwen me some en-
cOuragcmcnt. Bessie
Have /? Come. I want TO tell father
this plant i dying"
They moved away, and Cecil returned
To the parlor, thrilling with pleasure at
his narrow escape. lie rejoiced greatly
that BESSIE Fallington had never had
chance 10 laugh at him. He shortly
Withdrew elated, but in the night,
doubt Of his decision troubled him. The
heart and head would not agree. The
stronger became the latter, the fuller
was the former OF regret that he could
not have Bessie Fallington.
Next morning he hastcned to Plot
sons establishment and found that gen
tleman in his glass Office looking quite
happy.
Happy commission stroke?" asked
Cecil.
Yes. an unusual one. Well, sup
pose you have come to compare notes
about Bessie FaliiuEton"
Yes
'-NeH. what's your decision?'
That She is Il hcartless fiirt, and l
think III give up all thoughts of her
''NOu think 50
Yes. only think. for / still can't de-
eide. and l came again 10 get your
opinion
well, III let You have it I don't
think she would make you a good wife.
bekeve myself she is dirt, and that
she has lots Of faults. If l were you I'd
look elsewhere
This is your earnest, sincere advice,
is it?''
1t *. But there is another reason
why I'd give her up if 1 were YOU
What is it?''
''She is engaged"
Engaged. and flirting arornd the
way she did with you and hughes and
myself It's awful. Who top
''WcN, it's something of a secret vet
She engaged herself only last night
Last night? Not to IIughes?''
Plotton laughed heartily, and said:
Guess again"
Il can't. Give me the name"
Thomas J. Potion"
Cecil sank into a chair, and stared.
Tom laughed boisterously, nine-tenths
of it being pure, unalloyed joy.
But, but You said, stammered Cecil,
THAT she was a flirt, no housekeeper,
and full of faults
Il know l did, and say so still"
And going to marry herr
Yes, by all means, and we'll be as
happy as anyone can bs on earth.
love Bessie Fallington, and if she had
ten times her faults, my love demands
that must have her, and it viii have
her. As l told you before, love will
move Heaven and earth to get its OBJ
ject. I've won her, and let her faults be
what they may, / love her and must
have her. Howard NJ. Hope, in
Yankee Blade.
Opening Parliament.
When the queen opens parliament in
person she proceeds in state to the
housa of lords and commands RlaeLx