Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1876-03-15

compassionate glance at this ill-clad
domestic heathen. 81 have been q fire.
quent visitor at this house for the last
three months, and never met you."
never see anyone" replied Nellie
shyly lifting her eyes to the face that
for the last three months, she had beer
studying with an admiration that seemed
almost sin.
"How old are your"
81 will be eighteen on st. valentine'i
eve."
'.Ah! You will be free then"
There was world of relief in Mr.
Jamison's voice. He gazed refiectively
into the fire moment or two, then
looked at Nellie, who was nervously
turning down the lights, until the room
was bathed in mellow glow that
heightened the beauty of her own rosy
face wonderfully.
Miss -" began Mr.. Jamison
"Call me Nellie, Nellie Blaine
please!" interrupted Nellie with 8
blush.
"We1l, Nellie, what do you propose
to do with yourself after St. Valentine;
day. Stay with Miss Allen, of course. y
| NO." cried Nellie, with a look OF
dismay; 81 will die first
Mr.. Jamison looked serious. He had
thought himself good judge of human
nature; but 1t struck him there must be
a page in Miss Aliens life that was q
sealed book TO the worlds eyes.
| "f you need friend, remember nc
one will help you so readily as your
PASTOR" he said, as Nellie was fitting
out of the room. She nodded her thanks,
her eyes meeting his one moment, with
a glance that strangely upset the grave
minister's thoughts. In fact, he was SC
thoughtful and reserved all that even
ing, that Miss Allen, with all her bland
ishments failed to arouse him, and petu-
lantly remarked to Nellie the next
morning that he scarcely tasted the
cake-after her wasting dozen of eggs
in its concoction.
The next Sabbath, Mr.. Jamison
preached stirring sermon from the
text: "The poor We have always with
you" The little rosy face, and shining
eyes i'm the shadowy corner, gave him
inspiration, and the clasp of her little
brown fingers after service, was bliss
full reward; for there was something in
Nellie's face that told him, his words
were a heavenly balm to the lonely
girl-heart.
"Was not that splendid, Nellie?''
Miss Allen remarked TO her bound girl,
as she stood before the dining-room
CRATE, after her walk from church.
"What?" Nellie said, absently.
"Why, that sermon of Mr.. Jamison's.
Why Mrs. Latham looked like q con-
demned criminal. Everybody knows
she uses that bound girl of hers like a
heather
| Nellie looked amused.
''She is better clad, and better fed,
than some people know Of" she said.
| yourself for instance" snapped
Miss Allen, her forty-year old face
flushing hotly. "But you have better
clothing than you deserve"
Il have done my duty to you," qui-
etly returned Nellie, thinking a little
bitterly of the years of thankless bond
age she had spent in this wOman's ser
! Woo ssI havo had-no girlhoed-no
| youth: have gone half clad, comfortlcss
and unloved all my life," she added,
drearily, more to herself than to Miss
Allen, who was selfishly hugging to her
sermon did not suit her.
Mr.. Jamison came to the farmhouse
almost daily now, and somehow il hap
pened that in going out, or coming In,
he met Nellie, who watched for his foot
fall, with an eagerness that sent a rich
glow into her round cheeks. She never
dreamt this sudden flushing Of cheek
or brow, at his slightest smile, or some
trifling act of kindness, meant anything
but a respectful esteem for his worth as
a minister, on her part; or the Interest
he plainly manifested in her favor was
ANYTHING but the result of that almost
divine compassion, which led him to
follow the commands of his Master with
such zeal and courage.
While his coming made the hours
brighter for Nellie, Miss Allen was
iubilant with excitement. She had long
angled for a husband, who would suit
her tastes, socially and morally; but
none had been so blind as to see the
tempting bats she held out to them.
Mr.. Jamison was man TO attract any
woman, and Margaret Allen, with the
obstinacy of old maids, who can never
see they are an old maid, laid siege to
his heart, with pertinacity worthy OF
a better cause. But Mr.. Jamison was
willing to discuss any subject with her
but love, although, as she remarked to
Nellie, actions speak louder than words
and surely his visits to the farmhouse
were actuated by something deeper than
love for the heather.
81 have given more money to the
missionaries this winter than l ever die
in nv life BEFORE" grumbled Miss Allen
one Sabbath evening, sand what have
gained by it. Nellie, you can take
walk if you wish too"
For the light in Nellie's eyes hao
grown so sparkling of late that her mis-
tress was glad to have the fresh young
face out of her sight.
Nellie, rejoiced at the respite, took NJ
her hood and ran out of the house into
the baImy twilight of this February
evening, for the spring-like softnes'
still fingered, and the grass was spring
ing I'D in the warm sunny meadows
where Nellie loved to ramble. Hel
heart was full of sweet, underlined long
liugs-Iongings for home, and home
earesses, for some pure life of simple
love that would flow on like some
neaceful river, when Mr.. Jamison camt
upon her, leaning against a suie, Will
a rant look in her beautiful eyes.
"Ne.lie.'' he said, in his gentle way
tatin0 the slim brown hands in his, 81
am glad met you. My life is full o.
60 res and crosses and discouragements
and I ALWAYS feel as if there was some
thing in your honest sympathy tina
rests me-" o., N.u;,
"How can 1 benefit yous' Nellie
saws. shyly-"I who am so poor an'
weak and friendless."
sin many ways.
And 1 think Mr.. Jamison succeeded
Ii in convincing Nellie that she was o
some account to him, for, as they siraye, @
down the path towards his church, ne
go rev absolutely dazzling, and he
laugh rang out like happy ehild's.
as there anything can do for you
Nellie P'' Mr.. JamisoQ said at parting
"anything that will make your LII
brighter" ,oa hene.,b tb,