Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-10-03

the door. ''He is not well to-day, bu
will see you. Are you not the lawyer !?
: ''My name is Mayo. l belong to tn
law house of Truce. Mayo and Scott.
Il thought so. Please walk in, Nj
Mayo"
The speaker opened the door quit
wide and stood against it while Clarenc
Mayo crossed the threshold. and passe
, into the house.
Her eyes seemed TO be riveted on hi
handsome figure, and she appeared d
look upon him as superior mortal.
In a cosy room the young lawye
found pOrtly old man reclining in
large armchair. His gray hairs wer
brushed back from his florid face, an,
he held out fevered hand to hi
visitor, whom the girl introduced a
1.-THE lawyer from the city-Mr. Mayo
''Draw a chair close to me, Mr.
Mayo" the old man said in voice sin.
gularly weak for a person of his ply.
sique. ''Aldine, tell Martin to stabl,
the gentleman's horse-for | suppose
he rode over"
The golden girl left the room fol-
lowed by Clarence Mayo's glance.
"Now to business the man i'm the
armchair said. Il am dying"
The young lawyer gave him an in
credulous look.
"Ah, you needn't look so curious.
Mr.. Mayo. | am the victim of the same
terrible and nameless disease that has
taken so many of our family. Il am
the last Webb"
Your daughter, sir. You seem TO
forget her,
The man smiled.
My daughter? The person whom
you have seen is Aldine''
Clarence did not prosecute his in
quiries in that direction.
He resolved to bide future time for
the qualification of his curiosity
Gerald Webb. was fully impressed
with the belief that he was dying, and
before the lawyer left the room the
last will and testament of the owner of
Merry Vale was written.
''You will not return until after the
Storm" the testator said, noticing the
young attorney making preparations
for departure. Look, the rain is
already beating on the window. You
must not go back now. Merry Vale
contains guest chamber, and, beside,
| may need you Tonight"
The last part of the sentence was
spoken in such strange tone, that
Clarence Mayo agreed to remain over
night in the cottage, and the overcOat
was put aside
He encountered Aldine again at the
supper table.
She had exchanged her white dress
for gray poplin, IL which she served
the tea at the little table, and now and
then joined in the conversation.
In the few autumn hours which had
fled since the meeting before the cot
tage, Aldine had grown into mystery
W llit law N'A- tlidt -ilt Va
not Gerald Webb's child, for the re-
cluse's reply to what the lawyer had in
tended As a reminder had told him as |
much. Then, who was she, and why |
did she dwell in that secluded place,
seeing nothing Of the world save its
flowers, raindrops, and birds:
The recluse was not talkative after
the evening repast. As he could not |
rest on the bed, servant wheeled him
in his great chair into his chamber,
from across the threshold of which his
voice came, bidding his guest good
night.
A moment later Aldine came from
he room.
Papa says that 1 shall show you
7our sleeping apartment. " she said. 81
suppose you are tired. Papa had great
leal of writing for your hands. 1t
lOes weary one TO hold the pen so
teadily for hours"
Mss" Clarence Mayo found himself
aging.
The girls face fell
Il do write-sometimes," she said.
flushing.
San authoress, then?"
Not so much as that with a smile
Clarence Mayo wanted to see the
Illusions of the lovely being who stood
efore him. fairer than ever for her
bushes. but he dared not be so bold as
0 request the happiness.
But Aldine seemed to read his wishes
n his looks, for she stepped to table,
ook a book rherefrom. and placed it i'm
is hands.
Opening the album, the young law
er walked to the lamp and turned leaf
fter leaf.
Beautiful poems, chaste and deli
ately written-veritable strings of
littering pearls-enrapturedth the young
IAN.
He read them all, knowing that their
Dung authors eyes were fastened upon
is face. and when he closed the book
was with sigh because there were
o more to read.
He could not tell her how he had en- /,
wed them. could not shape his SEN
.nces. and he stood before her like
schoolboy.
81 will show you up" she said, COM
lg TO his relief.
4 minute later the young lawyer
ood alone i'm the guest chamber of
-erry Vale, thinking of the blue-eyed
ystery and her poems.
If she knew the secret of her life, she
,d doubtless been schooled in its keep
g.
CHAPTER III.
The lawyer heard the great drops OF
in beat against the shutters OF his
indow: the tempest seemed To In
ease i'm fury, and the wind blew the ,
,ws of the elms against the caves OF u