Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-06-06

! students, coming toward Gdtesley Hos
pital suddenly became absorbed in the
shop windows. Miss Pocklington stared
him direct in the face, without sign
of recognition, and Miss Elton, to whom
he ventured, unthinkingly, to raise his
hat, took her companions arm and hur-
ried past, muttering something about
''the presumption of a jail-bird's daring
to bow to her."
Arkwright's heart sank within him.
After all, was such life as this worth
striving for? People believed him a
murderer-why had he endeavored to
escape murderer's doom
Suddenly Miss Wilde came OUT of a
store near by. Arkwright involuntarily
recoiled. He felt instinetively that a
cold glance from her eyes would be the
last bitter drop beyond endurance III
his cup.
But, before he could retreat, Virginia
hurried up to him, with crimsOned
cheeks, and eyes swelling over with
tears, while she held out both her hands.
"Oh, Charley Dear Charlier
"My Virginia" he uttered, fairly un-
manned. ''You believe in me still,
them"
81 believe you now, Charley" she
answered. Il shall believe You
always
''YOu do not suppose, dearest, that
shall hold you to your troth?" he said,
almost bitterly r..
''I don't know whether you will or
not" " said Virginia Wilde, half laugh
ing, half sobbing, as she clung to his
arm. '.But shall hold you, dear, TO
yours"
And to this Virginia adhered through
all opposition and remonstrance.
Mrs. General Wilde was shocked; {; the
world in general was scandalized. PeO-
pie were hardly willing to believe that
the beautiful Virginia Wilde was actu-
ally willing to east in her lot with that
of the imputed murderer.
"I love him." said Virginia, "and
that is enough"
"And l love her." said Mr.. Ark
wright, ''and that is the reason L will
not marry her."
In vain were Miss Wilde's pleadings.
''NO, deare ST." he said firmly; sit is
because | do love you that am unwil-
ling to unite your fate with mine. Some
day, perhaps, when the world believes
in my innocence as firmly as you do"
''In that case" said Mrs. Wilde,
tauntingly, "my daughter is safe
enough"
81 think she is, madam" answered
Arkwright calmly.
Four years passed away. Silver
threads began to glisten in Arkwright's
raven hair, although he was not yet
thirty. And Virginia Wide lost some
of her fresh brightness and elasticity,
but she never for a moment wavered in
her loving allegiance.
81 will wait for him, though it be a
lifetime" said she.
One day gentleman called at the
Court to see its gloomy and self-con-
tanned master.
"Did he send up cardI" asked Ark
wright.
"No, sir" answered the man, who
had lately entered service at Arkwright
Court.
''rhen tell him see no visitors"
"But, SIR" pleaded the man, che
said his business was of SPECIAL ur-
gency."
Arkwright hesitated a moment; then
he went down stairs, slowly and unwil-
lingly.
Great Heavens.'' he exclaimed
starting back. "Adrian Harwood?"
"Yes, old fellow, it is l." said Har-
wood, airily. ''Been all around the
world. just returned from China. And
never once dreamed, until heard of it
here, that my abrupt departure could
make such a whirlpool of mischief!
Forgive me, please, Arkwright," hold
ing out his hand, "for indeed | meant
no ill. | was angry with you, and
meant to make you repent your rash
words and naughty airs-but L never
anticipated this. Say that you forgive
me now, Arkwright?"
Charles Arkwright was silent for a
moment. A suffocating sensation rose
up in his throat. as he remembered all
that he had endured in consequence o
this mere whim, this Idle caprice of
Harwood's fancy. But it was only for
moment, and then he took Adrian's
hand.
EYES," said he; 81 forgive you"
He was married to Virginia Wilde
the next week, and they were happy at
last. But it was not the fresh, buoyant
happiness that might have come with
their earlier days. They had suffered,
and they were at peace-that was all.