The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-29

A philosopher from another planet
tsay Martian for instance) might un-
avoidatly conclude that the girls of the
human race (pretty, rose-tinted crea-
tures), were born to be flirts. Nay, he
might have had this conclusion forced
upon him, had he been observing Leora
Brayton and her ways. That is, unless
being of the opposite sex, he might
have been so carried away by the lit
tie witch's coquetries that he would
have lost his head completely; and so
have forgotten philosophy.
Nature seemed to have endowed her
with an external appearance expressly
ttted TO charm away the hearts of
mankind. Her soft, golden hair curled
in rings on the whitest of foreheads.
Her eyes, of beautiful blue, shaded
by long, curling lashes, had an appeal
ing, innocent expression which went
straight to ones heart, no matter which
sex you belonged to. Her little mouth
was simply adorable, just made for
kissing. She had a slender graceful
form and sweet. merry laughter; her
pensiveness being greatly a matter of
eyes and mouth. But hidden under her
light-footed good-nature was, if the
truth must be told of such a winsome,
"bonny wee thing" stratum of selfish
disregard of the rights or wishes of 9TH
ers, when they came in conflict with
her own desires. With it all, she was
sometimes bit of a coward. And yet,
perhaps 1t was not cowardice so much
as the insistent voice of conscience.
This pink and white, delicious play
thing, compounded of kisses, smiles,
ribbons and lace, must have had the
nf q SnII1
will find it. But being lowered by
Mother Nature for a coquet, what won
der that she began to use her resources
early? Her aunt Susanna Brayton,
who brought her up from babyhood
tfor Leora had lost both her parents in
infancy, was wont to remark, smiling
the while, that she made eyes at the
men before she was out of long
clothes!" Be that as 1t may, she cer-
tainly began soon after; and as n con-
sequence she not only won all, and
more, of the cakes and kisses good for
her, but she also had her own way:
which is not good for any one to have,
always.
Aunt Susanna and Uncle Isaac Bray
ton were childless. and they not only
did their duty toward the little orphan
: according to their light, but they be-
came also her most devoted slaves
Whether they were really we'll fitted to
wisely train such a "will-o' -the-whisp"
is a moot question. At least, she was
the light of their eyes and the joy of
their narrow, restricted lives.
Leora returned their love and care
In her usual manner, which was to
bestow profuse amount of kisses and
pet names; these, she had early
learned. not only artoned for past de-
linquencies, but procured her more
indulgence in the future. She had, it
is true, a reserve force of pouts and
tears when refused, but as this was
seldom done, peace usually reigned in
the Brayton household.
Upon one point, however, her aunt
was resolved to have her way. She
kept her in the house sewing long
seams and over-and-over stitches
which Leora cordially detested. She
was consumed with the desire to be
out in the sunshine, at play like other
young animals. Aunt Susanna said
she wanted Leora to be a little lady
and not big, brown tom-boy."
Another thing also often troubled
the worthy pair. They were anxious
That their darling should shine at
school and at the church to which
they belonged. But although she could
always learn to sing snatches of love
songs, she could not understand frac-
tions; nor could she repeat all of the
answers in the catechism correctly.
AS she grew older she kept her
schoolmates lively with jealousy, on
the part of the girls; and rivalry, on
the part of the boys. Admonition had
little apparent effect upon her. At the
nrst word of reproof those big, blue
eyes would fill with tears; that baby
mouth would curve so piteously; and
she would look so altogether charm
Ing, while protesting that she would
never, never do that again!" How
could the reprover go on? AS well
scold a golden winged butterfly!
And thus the years rolled away, one
after another, until she was H. Sew
enteen! And still playing havoc with
youthful hearts. In which pastime she
was a past mistress. All the prudent
and spiteful, matrons of the neighbor-
hood had prophesied that she would
go through the wood and come out
with a crooked stick" She had re-
fused most of the young farmers of
the country about her; to say nothing
of both of the merchants, the doctor
and the preacher of the village of
Milton. When, to her adopted parents
delight, and the aforesaid matron's
discontinue, she returned from a fort
nights visit to the town of Corinth,
twelve miles away, and announced
herself engaged to a certain Alvin
Hungerford of Corinth.
There were not wanting those who