Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-05-09

iiiii. Hdu never enItTtu tnat gentle
mans head as one of the possibilities
therefore, he could afford to be amused
in contemplation of the reports to
which the conversation just related
might give rise.
The bright morning sun overturned
Rhoda's self-sacrificing intentions, and
charitably resolving to bestowsupon old
Miss Dennis the first rainy day should
one occur before she left Belleville, she
took her seat in Mr.. Rivers comforts
BILE little carriage. She was beginning
to recover from the shyness which she
had always felt toward her companion,
in consequence of the awkward mistake
she had made when she first met him
and now the drive through a lovely
country, surrounded by the most en-
chanting scenery, had an exhilarating
effect upon her spirits, and her COM
panion was charmed with the wit and
freshness of her remarks. and wished
that the tete-a-tete might last all day.
1t came to an end all too soon, and the
entire party was established in the
woods: some sitting in groups, some in
twos, some taking solitary walks, per-
haps in quest of congenial company
Mr.. Rivers had unconsciously fallen
into brown study, from which be was
rather rudely awakened by one fof the
party, who stepped up to him eXclaim-
ing:
Il was to be the first to congratulate
your' =
.:.For what?' asked the gentleman,
somewhat startled by the abruptness.
For being the lucky chap who has
secured the prettiest girl in the CON-
pany," was the reply. FAT least, we
suppose you have SECURED her. We
were told that she was taking yotI in
consideration but aSs she drove with
you to-day, we fancy Fiat is equivalent
to an acceptance" And there was a
malicious glance in sthe eyes of the
speaker, who had SO, frequently been
eclipsed by the gifted young lawyer.
'.Save your congratulations until you
receive your information from a more
reliable source than boarding-houseg gos-
sip" replied Mr.. Rivers, as he turned
haughtily away.
''Confound that little school girl,'' he
mentally calculated. ''She first takes
me for pickpocket, and then plaees me,
TO all appearance, 10 the position of a
humble suitOr, waiting meekly for my
sentence"
Just then a peal ef laughter greeted
his ears, and turning in the direction
whence il proceeded, he beheld the
little school girl Surrounded by four
of her companions, and Mr.. Rivers was
obliged to acknowl ledge TO himself that
he had never before seen so lovely pic
ture. The sunshine had lent an addi-
II L
playing bo peep through the leaves
with her soft brown hair. from which
her hat had partially fallen; her beau
tiful eyes sparkled with mischief, and a
merry laugh parted her rosy lips. In
her fingers she held four blades of grass
with one end concealed in her dimpled
hand. Each gentleman eagerly drew.
and compared lengths with his neigh
bors. and then they exclaimed in tone
of disappointment, "All alike
Certainly replied Rhoda, de-
murely-''How could be the partner
of either of YOU when am already en-
gagged for the first game iof croquet:'
The gentlemen took her joke good
naturally, and went off in quest of
other partners.
That little coquette mentally ejae-
ulated Mr.. Rivers. Il never noticed
before that;she was so much admired,
she seemedesuch a shy little thing"
But this AgentleTHn was doomed to
make several disco lies in the course
of the day, one of which was that he
felta certain unpleasant sensation in
the region of his heart, when Rhoda' 5
smiles were showered too indiscrimi-
nately among her admirers, and that
his own attentions, hitherto 5carelessly
bestowed had a deeper meaning than
he wasf himself conscious of. He
noticed that his courtesies swere now
accepted or declined with the same
saucy Indifference which greeted her
other adorers. lie wearied of the day
and rejoiced when he found himself
once more seated in his carriage, with
Rhoda beside him., their faces turned
homeyard.
well" said Rhoda, this is the last
picnic of the season, | shall be half
sorryto return TO the city and settle
down TO propriety once more"
That will not require much exer-
ertion, remarked her friend, mischiev-
ously. Eli you can return to ii as easily
as you left it,.
.;what do you meant demanded
Rhoda, half angrily.
''Have you forgotten that you at
tempted TO pick my pocket ON the jour
ney:"
con- laughed Rhoda. ''It was you
who were trying to rob me, only by
some legerdemain you managed to get
both hands into your own pocket be-
fore you emerged into the light" e.,
But: you really did steal some
thing from me. Rhoda. | was uncon-
scious of it at the time, but l have dis
covered my loss since.-iive me an
equivalent for ii, and will promise not
to make the theft public" Then he
added, more seriously, 'You cannot
want two hearts,
A saucy reply rose to Rhoda's lips.
but something in that earnest gaze put
it to flight.
Il don't think you have been any
more honest than - she faltered. 81
have misscd-'
But the rest of the sentence was lost
as her lips were smothered with kisses.
Then you do love me, Rhoda, after
all: / thought you were Indifferent. !"
..And | thought that, after you had
stolen my heart, you had merely played
with it for awhile, and then thrown it
away"
.'When did you begin to care for me,
darling?"
Il believe it was when | found my
hand in your pocket, although l wished
then that | mi ght never see you again.
A few days more ended Rhoda's visit
to Belleville; but she did not return
home alone. Mr.. Rivers declared it
would be necessary for him to accom-
pany her, to prevent her from making
arrests on the ears, He said that she
had taken him prisoner at their first
meeting, and had held him in chains
ever since.
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