Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-01-24


then he imagines that he is called away
to sea again. He pictures the parting
and their mutual fears, the long waiting
and her dreary life, and finally the re-
ceist of news of a disaster to his vessel
worse, of his having been swallowed
up in the fathomless biilows. Dorothy
can hear no more; her agitation shows
she loves him, and they are both happy.
He places ring upon her finger, and
she gives him in exchange ner mothers
locket, which she has worn on chain
about her neck. He thanks her with a
kiss, and DanI Druce, perceiving the
sweet pledge Of affection, sees that the
girl has found her fate, and sighs over
his prospective loss. Dorothy tells him
simply what has happened, and, al
though it is hard struggle, Danl is
thankful that, since it must be, it is as
it is. He tells Geoffrey what Dorothy's
presence and innocence have done for
him, the change that she has worked in
his life; and how, in teaching the
child, he has learned himself the great
truths which were written for saliva
ton. He tells, too, of the fear that has
constantly haunted him that Dorothy's
father might come TO claim her, and
how the face of the strange man who
had left the child in the hut fourteen
years ago was constantly before him
for long time. Master Reuben Haines,
now Sir Jasper's bailiff, stops at Dan'l
Druce's forge to have his horse shod,
and renews an acquaintance, of longer
standing indeed, than he has an idea of,
with Mistress Dorothy. The maid does
not understand his extravagancies of
speech and demeanor, for Reuben is IA
cetious, and possesses ''the gift of the
gab'' to degree which is of excellent
service to a general lover, as he is dis
posed to be. 1t stands him in 10 stead
with Dorothy, nevertheless, and she is
glad to speak of Sir Jasper. Reuben is
not to be deferred from his matrimonial
project, however, and he not only de-
luges the maid with fine flow of Lam
guage, but has seized her about the
waist, when Sir Jasper enters and pro-
tects Dorothy from his bailiff's obnox-
ious addresses. Sir Jasper-whom Reu-
ben strongly intimates would, once
upon a time, not have been free him.
self from the blame which he now heaps
upon his subordinate-talks with the
and tells her how he regrets
the loss of little child, who was so
by her mother that death en-
sued. Sir Jasper gains Dorothy's SYM
pathy, and he receives a hearty well
come, too, from Dan'l Druce, who
gradually recognizes, however, in his
landlord the cavalier colonel of fourteen
years before-the father of the child
whom he has reared as his own. He is
overcome at the dread discovery, but
Sir Jasper does not suspect the true
cause of his emotion, and departs, after
inviting Dorothy to come to the Hall,
and asking the privilege of imprinting
a kiss en- her fair young brow. Dorothy
prattles in innocent delight over the
Of a visit to the Hall, never
dreaming OF the anguish Dan'l Druce is
He had thought that Reu-
ben's face was a familiar one; but he
had never dream Il that it was a fore
of recognition which would
deal him this certain blow. He tells
Dorothy that Sir Jasper is unworthy of
her sympathy, for he left his child to
perish in order to save his own life, and
after receiving from her the sweet as
surance that she will never leave him,
no matter what may happen, dismisses
her. Danl Druce discloses TO Geoffrey
the discovery which he has made, and
begs him to marry Dorothy, for Sir
Jasper cannot take her from a husband.
Geoffrey at first demurs, intimating
that Sir Jasper's right should not be
yainsayed. But Dan1 Druce rises up
in opposition. What, this man her
father, who deserted her! This man
her father, who proved false to his
trust! No matter if he be penitent, no
matter if his right be undisputable in
The eyes of the law, he, DanI Druce,
has bought her love by fourteen years
Of devotion, and she his affection by a
thousand pure influences and a thou
sand priceless associations. Whatever
MS duty might be. nature cried out
hat she was his, and he hers, and moth
ng should part them. Then he appeals
20 Geoffrey's own interest, telling him
hat, once restored to rank and state,
can never be his wife. Geoffrey
promises not to betray Dan1 Druce's
project Of quick departure with Do
-othy, and he promises willingly at
asst, for he sees that his love would be
hopeless of fulfillment, were Sir Jasper
ever TO be allowed to claim his own.
Godfrey is accosted immediately on
his taking this resolve by Reuben. who
S swelling like turkey-cock over his
prowess, and who possesses
himself of Dorothy's locket, which
ieoffrey has unfortunately dropped ON
he ground. On Godfrey claiming it
Is his, the bailiff bids him describe it,
Dut before he has finished detailing its
Sir Jasper's follower has
it as the bauble which his
master placed on his child's neck on
he night that he had abandoned her.
ieoffrey, on being questioned as to how
ne came by it, will only say that it is
oxen of betrothal. He does not know
hat Dan1 and Dorothy have entered
md are interested listeners, but he feels
hat he must not allow the bailiff to re-
,ognize Sir Jasper's missing daughter,
est he be false to the trust that Dan'l
mas reposed in him, and a loser, more
over, of his sweetheart. So he affects
Indifference, and when Reuben, catches
MS admission that the locket is a
oxen of betrothal, and mentions Do
rothy's name in that connection, he
aughs lightly, and says that if he has
paid Dorothy some attention, he has
)nly carried out the license of his call