Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-12-09

uOW cu&1ReO were ner manners.
confess 1 expected her to accept my
wooing with her old time, defiant
and saucy fash. But 10 ! she became
sweetly womanly, tender and gentle. i
could feel her plant form tremble and
thrill in my arms, and her timid yes
was given almost with a sob. By Jove
l had no idea the child loved me SO
much, and 1 shall always be good to
the sweet girl. She shall be the very
apple of my eye"
With this resolve Doctor Collins
hoated into dreamland, to rehearse
over again the little love passage in the
rustic porch of Mrs. Goodwin and be-
meath the twining morning glory vines.
The following day passed for him with
leaden feet. He longed to see Mary
Norris in her new character of his
affianced bride. That she would be
gentle and sweet with him, now that
they were engaged, he did not doubt,
and he felt he should like her better
when trifie toned down. SO the early
shadows of evening found him at the
door of the Norris mansion. Mary was
at the piano. He could distinguish her
voice In some peculiar strain. No doubt
this was only a ruse to cover her ma
tural confusion. A servant showed him
in and he instantly discovered that
Mary was not alone. A masculine
friend from a neighboring village was
devotedly leaning over her and turning
the music. The closing of the door
announced him. Mary started up from
instrument, and without the slightest
deepening of the roses upon her cheeks
and as simply and naturally as ever,
came forward, greeted him and intro
duced ''her friend, Mr.. Cummings"
The hot blood surged into the cheeks
of the doctor, and he attempted to ex-
press his disappointment and ardor
with one eloquent glance but it fell
entirely short of its mark. No answer
ing expression came back to him. As
if unconscious of their new and dear
relation to each other, Mary Norris ran
on in merry Jest and railery, until he
became thoroughly out of humor, and
espoused the contrary side of every
question, and at an early hour took his
departure. When in the hall, where
the girl accompanied him, he turned
upon her with words of reproach.
"How could you admit that fellow
tonight when you expected me?"
81 beg your pardon, DR.. Collins,
she replied, with her saucy black eyes
dancing. ''You are very much mis-
taken. 1 did not expect you tonight,
and that fellow is one of my dearest
friends"
"Mary, you are trifiing with me.
Have you forgotten what transpired in
the veranda only last night ?"
"What veranda ?"
"That of Mrs. Goodwin, to be sure.
"You must be insane, doctor, or are
labo-ing under some hallucipation. l
was not in Mrs. Goodwin's veranda
with you for a single moment last
night and if you made any engage
ments with any young lady at that time
and place, it was not with your humble
servant ?"
"Not with you !" he gasped, pale to
the lips. "Who the deuce was it, then,
L should like to know?'
81 can't say. You should not be so
careless, doctor. No doubt some fair
Brownsville girl is this moment looking
her eyes out while you are wasting time
with me. But 1 must go back or
Charley will be jealous. Yet stay.
have one trifling bit of confidence for
Won. We are engaged"
Certainly. Don't 1 know it." he
seizing her hand, with a
radiant face.
"Knew it, and had the audacity to
call my Charley "a fellow 7 and to be
angry because 1 did not deny myself to
him on account of your stupidity in
that under Mrs. Goodwin's
porch you had informed me of your
intended visit. OH goodness what a
coquette you must believe me to be-"
his hands fell away from hers sud-
denly, and his voice was husky, as he
~ congratulate you. Good night.
Out in the silent and dull village
street he ground his teeth, and used
some very intricate and harsh words
against himself; the worst of which
perhaps was that he might be consid-
cred ''an ass" He went directly to
his Office, and DIR. Peters noticed the
change in his manner, and kindly in
quired what was the matter.
"Any bad rews, my boy" he asked
loosely. ''You look as though you
had been having case of double con-
niptiops, and did not know what to do
with them"
81 am an unmitigated fool, that's all.
I've gone and engaged myself"
"To be married i? Not that, hey ?"
"Yes, Just that, old fellow" and he
sank into the chair with a most dis
gusted air.
DR.. Peters looked at him for a mo-
ment, and then burst into an uncon-
trollable fit of laughter.
"Why, the deuce take it." he said,
as soon as he could get his breath,
lone would think you were doomed to
be hung. 1 give you my word that if l
had gone as far as you say you have l
should try and look more cheerful"
'Good heavens, how can 1? Listen
for few moments. As l said before, l
am engaged to be married, but swear
to you don't know to whomr
The old physician sat up, his face
suddenly elongated and he stared at his
partner in pills with open eyed aston
ishment. Presently he said, as to him
self:
"The boy is mad as a March hare"
"No 1 am not-wish to thunder
was." He related infinitely everything
that had occurred under the porch and
screening vines at Mrs, Goodwin's, and
continued "Whoever 1 mistook for
Mary Norris evidently believes in and
loves me. She solemnly yielded herself
to my caresses as my betrothed wife.
that worshipped her and her
only" DR.. Collins groaned and ran
his fingers through his hair until each
particular fibre stood on end. His
partner vainly attempted to control his
One glance at the disconso-
late visage of his friend was too much,
and Ito use an Hiberianism) he let off a |
roar that shook the very foundations of
and it was good half