Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-06-03
and Norman civilly assents. Meanwhile
no Mra HoodJav

Norman wonders whether he is eX-
pected to begin concludes yes, and is
Just about to do 80 when he glances
towards the soft blue curtain that makes
q sort of arras land q very tasteful one)
between the sitting-room and the sdja-
cent sitting room. The curtain is drawn
aside now, and servant enters the
apartment.
"Mrs. Hoadley is very sorry," the
servant begins, ''but she wants to know
if the gentlemen will excuse her for
about ten minutes, or perhaps a little
longer" Saying this the servant dis
appears by the door leading into the
hall.
Norman sees now how Mrs. Hoadley
has managed. But he is far from liking
the probability of Diana's returning
from the hotel at any moment, annoyed
with her mother, and interrupting him
in his interview at q most NAL apropos
time.
However, the best plan is for him to
begin promptly. Norman decides, and
condenses what he has to into as few
words as possible.
Immediately after the servant has
quilted the room he glances toward his
companion and speaks these words in
voice of perfect composure
"Mr. Shelton, desired an opportu-
nifty for some private words with you,
and am glad to see that it has arrived. I"
Walter Shelton bows coolly. Norman
proceeds, remembering that he has
little time and must make the best of it !:
81 am friend of Mrs. Hoadley, and
have known her late husband intimately
enough to feel privileged even beyond
the limit of most friends. 1 therefore
ask you what are your intentions re-
garding Miss Diana? Do you mean to
ask her to become your wife?"
Walter Shelton sits the picture OF
utter amazement for some few seconds,
staring at the man who had thus dared
to address him. At length he responds,
as coolly as surprise will let him:
81 do not consider you authorized to
put that question. sir"
81 have an excellent reason for doing
So"
"What reason?"
Norman's eye is f1edly levelled upon
Shelton's handsome, rather effeminate
face. 1 suspect that you are merely
enjoying yourself with Miss Diana
Hoadley-firting with her, in other
words-and that you mean no serious
results to come of your present init
macy"
Shelton's lip curls with a sneer now
under his handsome mustache. "Do
you call that a reason ?" he questions.
with short, contemptuous little laugh.
SIT is part of q reason. The second
part is this l believe Miss Diana to
be rapidly falling in love with you"
"That is more fattering, surely"
"And the third and last part of my
reason, Norman continues, ''is its most
powerful portion hold her in sufi-
cient regard to feel unwilling that her
future shall be made unnecessarily
miserable. This is why 1 speak with
You, Mr.. Shelton, on so delicate a SUBJ
iect. If you mean marriage with Miss
Diana, and tell me honestly that this is
the case, I shall say nothing more and
apologize for having spoken at all. But
IL not"
"Well-'if not Mr.. Chivalrous ?"
There is SO much insolent scorn in
Shelton's tones as he utters these words
that Norman bites his lips to keep his
anger under good control. But he re-
members their place of meeting.
"lf not, sir, why 1 shall have Miss
Diana warned against you"
"She will not listen to you-dont
deceive yourself"
"She will listen to her mother, how
ever, who suspects, by the way, just as
1 have suspected, that you are merely
triHing with her. Acknowledge that
you mean to marry her-that ID all l
ask. Indeed"-he goes on, his voice
suddenly softening most noticeably-
81 beg you to tell me the real truth re-
garding your true feelings"
"Beg as much as you please, my dear
sir, is the scofing answer.
.'Norman's voice rings hard, cold
challenge now. 81 dare you to tell
me-"
Norman has calculated we'll. Walter
Shelton's nature-a combination of
weakness and vanity-has not power to
resist these few defying words.
'You dare me, do you?" he laughs,
bravado to the very fnger-nails. "And
suppose should tell you the truth, my
fine fellow, who is going to be whit
the wiser Do you fancy the fair Diana
would believe any story of yours? Or,
even If her mother should credit what
you said, how much influence would
she have against me?"
Norman sees very plainly now how
this childish, egotistical nature may be
managed. The truth at which he wishes
to arrive may be reached rather
promptly. No very hard mining re-
quired in such soil as this.
Nevertheless, he sternly states,
"you have not yet dared to tell me what
your intentions are regarding Miss
DIANA"
"Dared ha ha ha Dared hear
the man Why, 1 mean to amuse my
self with her society till am tired of
it. And now, my fine friend, 1 dare
You to repeat what I say. Much good
it will do you if you attempt such q
thing"
"There is no necessity for that, MIR.
Shelton. I have heard you already"
As these words fall upon the ears OF
both men they both start with an equal
surprise. Pale as q ghost, Diana Hoad-
ley emerges from behind the blue,
arras-like curtain.
She walks straight toward Norman
Pomeroy and puts out her hand. 81
thank you with all my soul" she muir
murs, fervently, and the next moment
reels with q sudden faintness, Just in
time for Norman to catch her by means
of an opportune arm-sweep.
Coward |" now comes from between
A Il L. a
Norman is bearing her to q near sofa
81 see well what your contemplate
game hiss been. You stationed the girl
behind that curtain"
"It is untrue I" exclaims Mrs. Hoad-
ley's voice, whilst that lady, having
entered the sitting-room unobserved.
now hurries toward her daughter. 81
stationed her there, unknown to Mr..
Pomeroy. He thought the story OF
Mrs. Wainwright's headache q ruse to
A