Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1875-06-23

81 say, Meg, suppose Mr.. Airlie and
that young girl should fall in love."
"Nonsense, joint Mr.. FOrtescue
would never hear of it."
"Why not 2"
because / am certain, from what
have caugtt here and there, that he is
much richer than he lets be seen. So il
is scarcely likely he would permit his
niece, who is his heiress, to marry a
man who has probably robbed his en-
ployers."
"YOu have me there, Meg; so we had
better have supper"
What subject is more prolific of ideas
to woman than marriage. John had
put a thought into my head, which,
though small rs pins head at first,
soon grew To large dimensions. When
ever | saw Mr.. Airlie thought of Miss
Milbrooke, and whenever | saw her.
thought of him, until in my mind, at
least, they were united. And | began
to hope that what John had supposed"
might be possible, for the more saw of
the two, the more | liked them. They
appeared both in need of happiness,
reflected. One might bring it to the
other.
But how could it ever be brought
about? Love at first sight is possible.
But love at no sight at all is assuredly
not; and owing 10 his early departure
and late return, Mr.. Airlie and Miss
Milbrooke never met even upon the
stairs.
"Ask them both down to tea" sug-
gested John, as we sat i'm our cosy
parlOr, at work, and he doing some
writing.
"Mr. Fortescue would not let her
come" ] said.
"Ask Airlie alone, then, and make an
excuse TO get her down afterward. At
any rate, it will be a relief to him,
seated moping up in that little room
every evening, with not a friend with
whom to exchange a word"
'That might do" I pondered, press
ing the tip of my needle thoughtfully to
my lips; then gave such a start that
pricked myself, as | exclaimed: ''GOod
gracious John, what is that ~
''IIow can tell, Meg, he answered,
rising quickly. 1T is Mr.. Fortescue's
voice"
"He is quarreling," | exclaimed, i'm
alarm, as | hurried after John to the
door.
1 Ht NoIus W lilt slsti NtiC. .
"You unmitigated scoundrelr'
Opening the door John was about to
hasten out; but, abruptly drawing back,
mOtioned me to silence. Then, mute as
mice, we listened. Remember, we were
lodging house keepers.
"As Heaven is my Witness" replied
| the clear, firm tones of Mr.. Airlie, 81
never dreamed you were under this
roof: or, as | stand here, L would never
have placed foot in it."
"You expect me to believe that?"
"You must, seeing that l could gain
nothing by such proximity to you"
"Nothing nothing, You sneaking
hound! DO you think l am blind?"
cried the old man; and We heard the
stick with which he walked strike
sharply on the floor. "NOt gain kath-
leen, suppose? How do | know you
would not persuade her to wed you on
the sly and thus rob me of my money !?
How do l know that you have not done
so? You are both capable of the trick. !"
"Beware, SIR" calculated our lodger,
his voice all of quiver. ''Call me what
You please-all terms are alike to me,
coming from such fathers lips-but,
by Heaven, you shall not malign that
pure, noble girl, who has sacrificed her
self to you. When you drove me-your
son-from your doors, l offered to share
my home with her, knowing the miser-
able life to which l left her, but she
sacrificed love to gratitude; and, because
you had brought her up, poor orphan !.
from her cradle, bowed her gentle head
to your cruel will, and remained nnder
your tyrannical rule. You have used
hard words To me, sir, and hard words
to her whose memory is dearer to me
than life; but have managed to keep
my hands off you. But take care! there
are bounds to every mans forbearance.
Do not speak ill of Kathleen"
"Dare you threaten me?" shrieked
the old man. ''True son of 4 shameless
mother"
"Oh, Heaven, have a carer' and the
sound of MIR. Airlie's voice showed the
stupendous self control he was exerting.
"You drove my mother from your roof,
rs you drove me-"
"Your mother left it of her own ac-
cord; she ran away, the,
The word he uttered shall not be
written. Ii was followed by loud,
fierce cry. and "A sound which told Mr..
Airlie had flown at the speaker. There
was the noise of a struggle, the gasping
cries of the old man, blended with his
niece's screams for assistance.
"IIelp, helpr' she shrieked. ooh,
Richard-Richard, let go. Reflect He
is your father; he is old-he is i'll! You
will kill him,'
We had rushed up stairs, but before
we reached the landing, those pleading
4 4, L.,
ire of the man, and his passion was again
subdued.
We found Mr.. Fortescue leaning
against the drawing-room door, painting
for breath, and half supported by kath-
leen Milbrooke, whose fearful eyes were
turned with compassion upon Mr..
Airlie, who stood apart, with arms
folded, his head drooped upon his chest.
"Would you kill me?' gasped the old
man rs we arrived.
NO" was the answer, 81 would have
you live that heaven may soften your
heart by slower approach Of death, so
that you may on your knees, beg my
dear mothers forgiveness for the ill you
have done her in word and deed. She
may pardon you; as yet cannot
At this Mr.. Fortescue's fury once
more broke forth; but his niece making
John an imploring sign, they managed
TO bear him back into the room, swear
ing terribly against his son, and vowing
that he would disinherit his niece if she
ever exchanged words with him again.
She did, however, for when the old
man lay exhausted and insensible from
his fury she left us in charge and slipped
ont to her cousin. When she returned
tears were i'm her eyes, and l caught
these words through the closing door:
my own darling, You are too good
for me to blame, though l am the suf-
ferer. Know L will ever love and watch
over you until my death. !"
expected after this that Mr.. Airlie
would leave. and he did that night. He
told me his father was very rich, but
almost a mailman from selfish, jealous
temper; that he had so cruelty treated
his wife that she had been compelled to