Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-03-15
A Bound-Girl's Valentine
BY OLIVE BELL. :

February had come in like a lamb.
The grass on the sloping hillsides around
cosy farmhouse on the outskirts of the
village of Riverside, looked green and
inviting in the pale yellow glow of the
setting sun. There was peculiar
onaline tint in the cloudless sky, and
far in the west, some broad bars crossed
the horizon like crimson banners. The
air was warm, and heavy with the fra
GRANGE OF moist ferns and velvety
moses that grew rank and wild in the
strip of dense woodland that skirted
the river, where a young girl stood,
shading her eyes with her hand, as she
gszed up at the opaline sky, out OF
which the sunset glow was slowly
fading: then down at the blue waters
that flowed at her feet with a musical
ripple.
No one that she was aware of had
ever told Nellie Blaine = Margaret
Aliens bound girl-that she was a
beauty. Yet she was one, for all that
and only lacked the costly setting that
embelIishes less charming gems, to
transform her into what the world
might call lovely woman
A wild rose sort of beauty she was,
too. wonderfully charming in her un-
conscious luveliness, so shy that kind
word would send floods of crimson into
the peach-like cheeks, and the slightest
frown make the scarlet lips quiver like
a babv's. There was spice OF romance
in her nature, born, perhaps, of her
utter loneliness, for never, since she
could remember, had Nellie heard a
voice with truly loving ring in 1t, for
her parents had died when she was a
helpless infant. and Miss Allen, al
though a strictly moral and religious
woman. did not believe in wasting her
precious affections on bound girl.
''Nellie, :" screamed a shrill voice; as
Nellie was just going off into delicious
dsy-dream. ''what are you doing?
Nellie hastily snatched up a pail
which she had heedlessly dropped,
filed il with water from the river, and
turned homeward.
Miss Margaret met her at the garden
gate, wrath in her cold gray eyes, and
her hair in stiff curl papers, that always
reminded Nellie of porcupine quilts.
"What on earth were you standing
there for, staring at The sky?" she ex-
claimed, as Nellie reached her side.
''Did not tell you TO hurry? Mr.. ia
misOn will be here presently. Give me
that bucket; you know I'm always a
fright when | don't bathe my face In
that river water"
Nellie meekly handed over the pail,
with a mirthful twinkle in her bright,
dark eyes, for Mr.. Jamison was the new
minister, a man popular for his elo-
an1 and MISS
Allen, who was at least ten years his
senior, had been one of the first ladies
in his congregation to impress him ia
vorably, for the zeal with which she
entered into all his charitable projects
was truly encouraging.
Snow. Nellie" said Miss Margaret,
when they reached the doorstep, "go
into the parlor and see that the light Il
not too glaring. You know | always
look best when the light is mellow.
Yes, ma'am."
"Then bring in some fresh water and
have the cake in readiness. Mr.. Jaml-
son is lover of good cakes. And do
for PHYS sake, keep yourself out OF ms
sight. If he caught a glimpse of you
he would think had established rag
ged school,
Nellie stood under the hall lamp
looking up at Miss Margaret, who hac
paused on the stairs to deliver this las'
order.
at is not nv fault if I am in rags,
flashed out Nellie, with flaming cheeks
Il have not a decent dress in the
world"
"1Ou have as good as / can afford,
grumbled Miss Margaret, frownlng a
the young girl, whose bright lovelines'
Startled her. every cent L can spare
must go to the heather this winter
Now go about your work, and no more
complaints
Nellie turned slowly into the parlor
smile playing about her ripe lips. Sh'
was neryOusly twitching at the tori
sleeves Of her waterproof dress, ant
started back aghast when her eyes lei
on tall figure that stood between hel
and the light; curious light in TN
Clear blue eyes, that seemed to take IL
Aellie's outfit from head to foot.
Mr.. Jamison,'' she exclaimed, VIII
a sort Of gasp, 81 did not expect to NEE
You here"
Doubtless not. Miss Allen mus
nave been out of the house when cam
In, as | saw no one. Do you wish .
zee herr" said Mr.. Jamison, gently
looking keenly at the young girl, whom
ne supposed to be one of Miss Allen
needy neighbors, as he had often no
uced her in some retired corner OF ni
ehurch, poorly dressed and so sad looh
ing, that he had often longed TO sa
some kind word to her.
Me-" echoed Nellie, with an amuse
smile. 81 live here"
Live here! With Miss Allenf
Live with Miss Allen I" with merr